Want to infuse your home with nostalgic Christmas magic this year? Learn how to add vintage glass Christmas ornaments to your dining table to create a festive, retro holiday feeling. Step back in time and recreate the charm of Christmases past with this vintage-inspired table setting and retro Christmas decor.
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Retro Christmas Decor Wall Decor
I was first inspired to use my vintage shiny brite ornaments when planning my dining room wall decorations. I added a vintage plate gallery to my dining room wall last winter. Seasonally, I’ve been swapping out the plates and platters in seasonal colors. For Christmas, I decided to use all vintage white ironstone dishes. With a white-on-white plate wall, I felt I needed to add some color. That’s when the retro Christmas decor idea was sparked.
I began by filling the vintage grape hod basket with faux Norfolk Pine greenery stems and faux cedar. Then, I added several of my vintage shiny brite Christmas ornaments in a rainbow of colors. I wanted the glass ornaments to appear to be dripping from the greenery stems, so here’s what I did.
How To Make Vintage Glass Christmas Ornament Basket Arrangement
First, I didn’t want to damage the vintage glass Christmas ornaments and was concerned they might fall out of the greenery. Plus, I wanted them to look like they were dripping from the stems.
I decided to string three ornaments on a greenery garland tie and tuck the long end into the greenery. Next, I needed a few ornaments to add some height to the arrangement, so I removed the ornament caps and set them aside. Then, I added a drop of hot glue to the end of a bamboo skewer and placed it inside the ornament to hold it steady.
I added several of these designs until the arrangement looked as I had imagined. It has the retro Christmas decor vibe I wanted, and the vintage shiny brite ornaments are safe from damage.
Additional Wall Decor
In addition to the basket of holiday fun, I added a couple of vintage shiny brite ornaments to the small white ironstone plates. I used some old vintage ornament hangers that are hooked over the top of the plate and tied with a green velvet bow.
Antique Bowls
An antique pedestal holds one of my antique bowls, filled with more vintage glass Christmas ornaments and a fun tiny tree. Another bowl, filled with ornaments, sits at the top of the cupboard, creating a bright spot above the cabinet.
Table Centerpiece Ideas With Vintage Glass Christmas Ornaments
Next, it was time to decorate the dining table. I had picked up these gorgeous silver flute vases earlier this fall and knew they would be great for my Christmas table. Taking a clue from the wall basket arrangement, I added a few Norfolk pine stems to each vase. Then, I draped several vintage glass Christmas ornaments on the branches. The original wire hangers are easily bent to wrap closely around the branch, keeping them secure. The retro Christmas decorations add a fun, whimsical style to the table.
I used another thrifted basket for the centerpiece to complement the wall basket. For the actual centerpiece, I filled it with more greenery stems and packed it with colorful vintage glass Christmas ornaments. For additional height, I added a wooden riser.
The silver salt and pepper shakers are another recent thrift store find that adds an elegant touch to the retro-inspired table.
Insider Tip
What if you don’t have a collection of retro Christmas decorations? Fortunately, many reproductions are available, and I recently shared how you can make new ornaments look vintage. See the full tutorial at Easiest Way To Age New Ornaments.
You can also see links to reproduction and vintage options at the end of this article.
Vintage Inspired Place Setting
To continue the rustic vs. elegant feel of the table, I opted for woven placemats, white plates, and a holiday dinner plate for the place setting. Vintage French bowls hold mercury glass sliver ornaments to complement the silver goblets and fluted vases.
I used my fun thrifted wine glasses, along with acrylic and gold cutlery, to add more light and sparkle to the table setting. A red and white napkin with cedar napkin rings adds more splashes of color.
Retro Dining Christmas Decor
The retro Christmas decor looks right at home with the shiplap walls, antique farm table, chippy church pew, and vintage enamelware lighting.
I hope you enjoyed this retro dining area. This year’s full tour is available at the 2024 Christmas Farmhouse Tour.
Thank you for following along.
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