7 Vintage Christmas Decorations From My Mother’s Attic I Still Cherish And Decorate With Year After Year

At the top of the stairs in our coastal Maine home is a little attic door that opens to more than just old boxes; it opens to decades of memories, traditions, and some of my most cherished vintage Christmas decorations. This season, instead of heading out to the shops, I decided to start my holiday decorating right here at home by “thrifting” my mother’s attic. From delicate handmade ornaments to a well-worn wooden sled, I uncovered pieces I grew up with, decorations full of character, patina, and heart. In this post, I’m sharing seven vintage Christmas decorations I still cherish and style year after year, and how each one brings a touch of nostalgia and meaning to our holiday home in Maine.

Inside My Mother’s Attic In Coastal Maine: Where Our Vintage Christmas Decorations Begin

At the top of the stairs in our coastal Maine home is a small attic door that holds more of my parents than any photo album ever could. My mother was extremely organized, and for years, every trunk, bag, and box up here was neatly labeled and stacked just so. Since I’ve taken over, things are a little less tidy, but that almost makes it more fun. It feels a bit like a treasure hunt every time I pull the string on the attic light.

I’m here on a chilly Friday afternoon to attend a weekend extended family celebration, and the house is quiet. It felt like the perfect time to climb up into my mother’s attic and pull down a few of the vintage Christmas decorations I still love to decorate with year after year. I’ll be hunting for her brass bugles and bells, an old wooden sled, and whatever else I’ve forgotten is tucked away up there. There are always hidden surprises in these boxes.

Since we don’t actually spend Christmas in this house anymore, I keep the decorating here very simple. I like to gather just a few vintage pieces from my mother’s attic and style them around the rooms so that when we do visit, they’re already in place, quietly reminding me of my parents. It’s less about a full Christmas makeover and more about sprinkling in little moments that feel like home.

7 Vintage Christmas Decorations From My Mother’s Attic

1. Vintage Brass Horns: The Vintage Christmas Decorations I’ll Always Cherish

What I found: Tucked into one of the attic boxes, wrapped in crinkled tissue paper, I found a collection of my mother’s vintage brass horns. There are four petite bugles and two larger statement horns, all with that warm, aged patina that only years of Christmases can give. The metal is softly dulled now in the best possible way, and you can see from the tiny scratches that they were handled and loved season after season. These are the kind of vintage Christmas decorations you hope to discover in an attic, carefully packed away and waiting to be used again.

Why I cherish it: I’ve always adored these vintage brass horns. My mother used to hang them proudly right on the Christmas tree, and in her later years, she’d simply tuck them into the branches with simple red bows. It made decorating easier for her, but the tree still looked elegant and festive, with the brass catching the soft glow of the lights. One of my favorite photos from that time shows her tree, the horns front and center, and our beloved Bernese Mountain Dog, Gretchen, resting by the fire. These vintage Christmas decorations aren’t just beautiful; they’re a shortcut back to those cozy Christmas mornings, and I will always cherish them.

How I style it today: Today, I’m giving these vintage brass horns their own moment over the fireplace mantel. I hung all four of them in a simple row, replacing the pewter pieces that usually live there, and I used clear, removable Command strips so they won’t leave a mark on the wood. The warm brass instantly adds that classic vintage Christmas decorations feel to the room, especially when paired with an evergreen garland and other vintage details. It’s an easy decorating idea that makes the mantel feel festive and layered, and it lets my mother’s favorite pieces shine in a new way, year after year.

2. Vintage Christmas Decorations That Honor The Meaning of the Season

What I found: In one of the attic boxes, I uncovered a handful of small pieces that felt like they belonged together. There were two tiny framed vintage pictures with classic Mother Mary and Child imagery, their frames softly worn with age. Beside them was a stack of my mother’s miniature Bibles in red, green, blue, and black. I also found a wooden angel ornament and another petite brass horn. On their own, they are all small, but together they create a quaint collection of vintage Christmas decorations that hint at the meaning of the season without shouting “holiday.”

Why I cherish it: These were some of my mother’s most treasured keepsakes. She kept the small pictures and tiny Bibles displayed in her bedroom for decades, thoughtfully arranged where she would see them every day, not just at Christmastime. They were simply part of the room and part of her. When I hold them now, I am taken right back to that space, to the sound of her voice and the calm feeling of being home. These vintage Christmas decorations carry more than color and texture. They carry her stories, her quiet routines, and the gentle way she approached the holidays, which is why they will always be some of my favorites to bring out each year.

How I style it today: Today, I’ve gathered these heirlooms into a simple vignette on a bedroom bedside table. The two small framed pictures lean against the lamp base, with the colorful miniature Bibles stacked neatly beside them. The wooden angel and tiny brass horn rest in front, adding a touch of charm and sparkle to the tabletop. Paired with the vintage artwork on the wall and the old rotary phone, this little corner feels layered, personal, and softly festive. It is a small moment, but it is one of those vintage Christmas decorations displays that honors the meaning of the season every time I walk into the room.

3. The Vintage Manger That Became My Favorite Vintage Christmas Decoration

What I found: Tucked carefully into one of the attic boxes, wrapped in layers of tissue, was the vintage manger I grew up with. My mother displayed it every Christmas in our family’s home by the Nubble, always placing it in front of the fireplace with a small glowing light tucked behind it. Later, she styled it on the windowsill of our dining room here in our Raeside-Dame home, where it overlooked the snow and captured the season perfectly. It’s a small manger, simple and humble, but full of meaning. The light no longer works, but that doesn’t matter. It remains one of those vintage Christmas decorations that doesn’t need much to feel special, and it can be placed just about anywhere.

Why I cherish it: This little manger is pure nostalgia. I remember my mother gently unwrapping each piece and carefully setting it out every December. She always added that soft light behind it, giving it a warm glow in front of the fireplace. It wasn’t fancy, but it was steady; it showed up every year in the same spot, becoming part of the background of my childhood Christmas memories. Now, it feels like a little piece of memorabilia, a quiet reminder of her decorating touch and the true meaning of the season.

How I style it today: This year, I’m styling this vintage Christmas manger on top of our antique apothecary cabinet in the dining room. It’s the perfect place for a quiet moment, a simple memoriam, and a nod to Christmases gone by. Surrounded by vintage touches throughout the room, the manger holds its own as one of my favorite vintage Christmas decorations. No light needed, just its presence is enough.

4. Weathered and Wonderful: The Wooden Sled That Feels Like Vintage Christmas in Maine

What I found: Among the attic treasures was an antique wooden sled my mother picked up years ago at a favorite antique shop here in Maine. Over the years, she styled it in countless ways, sometimes leaning against a corner, sometimes lying flat on the floor with evergreens tucked beneath it. One Christmas, she even placed a collection of her brass horns on top of the sled and displayed it on her favorite hutch. Its rich dark wood, perfectly aged over time, and its slender New England lines give it a timeless feel. It’s the kind of vintage Christmas decoration that can quietly steal the show in any room.

Why I cherish it: This wooden sled was one of the first pieces that sparked my love for vintage ski lodge decor. Everything about it, from the scale to the craftsmanship, captures the simplicity and charm of New England style. It’s not overly large or flashy, just classic and true. My mother loved it, and so do I. I can still picture her carefully decorating around it each December, whether it was perched on top of a cabinet or surrounded by fresh greens on the floor. It’s authentic. It’s nostalgic. And it’s one of those vintage Christmas decorations that tells a story all its own.

How I style it today: This year, I’m keeping it simple, just the way we like it in Maine. I’ve leaned the sled in a quiet corner and added a pair of antique racing ice skates I found this week at Todd Farm Antiques and Flea Market. The original ribbon was still tied in a bow, and I left it just as it was. Since we don’t spend Christmas here, I prefer low-effort decorating that still feels meaningful. This is one of those pieces that does all the work for you. It’s a nostalgic touch that instantly brings vintage Christmas decorations to life in a way that’s understated, charming, and perfectly Maine.

5. Handmade Eggshell Ornaments: The Sweetest Vintage Decorations I Forgot I Had

What I found: Tucked inside an old cardboard box in my mother’s attic was something I hadn’t seen in decades, an original egg carton marked “Grade A Medium Eggs, Strictly Fresh, One Dozen, 55¢.” And inside? Twelve of the most delicate, handmade Christmas ornaments, all crafted from real eggshells. Each one is its own tiny work of art, hand-painted with stars, gold glitter, and tiny sewn details. One even takes the shape of a whimsical hot air balloon, complete with a dangling little basket below. I don’t know where my mother picked them up, maybe a church bazaar or a local craft fair, but they were part of our Christmas growing up, and I adored them.

Why I cherish it: These ornaments brought me right back to childhood. I can still remember my mother showing them to me, and how enchanted I was by how something so fragile could be turned into something so magical. I must have stared at them for hours as a child, afraid to touch them but completely mesmerized. And to find them again, still cradled in their original carton, perfectly preserved, felt like uncovering a long-lost piece of myself. These tiny handmade eggshells aren’t just vintage Christmas decorations… they’re time capsules.

How I style it today: This year, I decided to give these sweet ornaments a moment of their own. I removed the hooks and gently placed them in a simple bowl on a table in our sunroom, where they catch the light and still feel just as special. I kept them inside the egg carton for years, but now I love seeing them out, grouped together as part of a vintage Christmas vignette that feels light, playful, and personal. It’s a simple styling idea that brings both beauty and memory into the room, exactly what I love most about decorating with vintage Christmas decorations.

6. Vintage Christmas Decorations with a Pop of Holiday Red

What I Found: Two large vintage Christmas ornaments, one red, one gold, each tied with bright red ribbon. My mother used to hang them in the center of the four-pane bay windows in our dining room every year. They were bold, festive, and unmistakably hers.

Why I Cherish It: These vintage Christmas decorations always made me smile, especially because my mother wasn’t a fan of color; she leaned into muted colonial tones like grays and beiges. Red was never her favorite, yet every December, out came the bold red and gold ornaments. I always thought it was her playful way of embracing the season and letting a little holiday cheer break through her usual palette. These pieces remind me that even the most subtle traditions can carry a lifetime of warmth and story.

How I Style It Today: I’ve nestled these oversized Christmas balls atop our antique apothecary cabinet in the dining room, right next to the vintage manger scene. Though I can’t hang them in the window like my mother once did, those original hooks disappeared during repainting, they still bring her colorful holiday spirit into the room. Their sparkle, paired with the red ribbon she used every year, brings back fond memories of Christmases past in the most sentimental way.

7. A Bed Warmer with Heart: The Vintage Find That Adds Holiday Charm

What I Found: An antique brass bed warmer, tucked away in the attic during a renovation, originally gifted to my parents by my father’s sister as an anniversary present decades ago. The story goes that my aunt discovered it at a yard sale, and my parents later looked it up in an antique book to learn more about it. The decorative pattern stamped into the brass revealed it was quite a rare piece. Let’s just say… It’s a real treasure.

Why I Cherish It: This bed warmer reminds me not only of my parents’ love for antiquing but of the stories they would share about their finds. I still remember my father proudly telling me about its value based on the brass pattern. And it’s also a nod to my aunt, who inspired much of my parents’ antique collecting. This one piece connects so many meaningful threads, family memories, vintage history, and timeless charm.

How I Style It Today: Today, I’ve hung the bed warmer on the brick fireplace in our Maine living room. It’s a simple gesture that adds vintage elegance to the space, especially during the holidays. You could absolutely tie a bow around the handle to make it festive, but I’m letting its beautiful patina shine just as it is. And while it’s up for Christmas, I may just leave it there year-round. It’s that special.

Bonus Memory: The Vintage Wreath Display That Inspired a Holiday Tradition

What I Found: Tucked away in a stack of old photos in the attic, I discovered a snapshot of my parents’ first Christmas at this home in coastal Maine, taken over 30 years ago. The cedar siding looks fresh from the lumberyard, the antique latch door newly installed, and the vintage lantern just mounted beside it. But what caught my eye most were the three small Christmas wreaths my mother had hung with bright red bows. The new stone steps had just been laid, and this quiet, early moment marked the beginning of a tradition that still brings warmth to the holidays decades later.

Why I Cherish It: This slightly crooked, sun-warmed snapshot may not be picture-perfect, but it captures something far more meaningful, a moment of new beginnings. My parents built this home later in life, a fresh chapter in their 70s, and that first Christmas wreath display marked a sense of hope and rejuvenation. Recreating the trio of wreaths each year now feels like a tribute to that spirit, carrying their legacy forward while celebrating our own chapter in this beloved home.

How I Style It Today: Each year, I recreate my mother’s three-wreath look on our front door, now with a coastal vintage twist. Sometimes I add plaid ribbon, other years I keep it minimal, but the sentiment never changes. It’s not a piece I found in the attic, but it is one of the most meaningful “vintage Christmas decorations” I display every season. Explore more in my How to Hang Three Christmas Wreaths on Your Front Door: A Timeless Holiday Tradition post.

How To Thrift Your Own Attic For Vintage Christmas Decorations

Before you head out to the thrift stores or holiday markets this season, take a moment to look up, not out. Your own attic, basement, or storage closet might be filled with meaningful vintage Christmas decorations just waiting to be rediscovered. Whether it’s a handmade ornament you forgot about, an old sled that’s seen generations of snow, or something as simple as a well-worn picture frame, these sentimental finds can often become the most cherished part of your holiday decorating.

Here are a few simple ways to bring new life to the vintage Christmas decorations you already own:

The most beautiful vintage Christmas decorations aren’t always the ones you find in stores; they’re often the ones tucked away in your attic, full of history, heart, and holiday magic.

More Vintage Christmas Decorations to Inspire You from In My Mother’s Maine Home

The vintage Christmas decorations I found in my mother’s attic this year reminded me that some of the most meaningful holiday moments don’t come from a store; they come from the memories we’ve already made. Whether it’s a wooden sled, a delicate handmade ornament, or a manger that’s been part of your Christmas story for decades, decorating with pieces that tell a story adds something truly special to the season.

If you enjoyed this post, you might also love exploring more vintage Christmas decorations and nostalgic holiday moments from In My Mother’s Maine Home. These posts are full of simple styling ideas, collected memories, and cozy New England inspiration to carry into your own holiday traditions.

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