Create a musical Christmas decor theme with festive decorations like a vintage drum, trumpet, and violin. See how these magical items bring charm to a holiday living room with neutral decor and nostalgic touches.
Musical Christmas Decor Theme
Musical Christmas decorations bring a festive and magical touch to the holidays, making any space feel warm and full of charm.
Decorating with vintage instruments—like old trumpets, violins, or drums—found at antique stores, paired with ribbons, bows, and even Christmas tree ornaments, adds character and nostalgia.
This family-friendly musical Christmas decor theme is fun for all ages, letting everyone collect and display instruments, old sheet music, music books, or stands, creating a one-of-a-kind holiday look that sings with style!
Thrifting for Musical Christmas Decor
Finding holiday decorations with a musical twist is easier than you’d think!
Thrift shops, Habitat for Humanity stores, flea markets, vintage shops, and even local schools often have old musical instruments that are no longer in use—sometimes still tucked inside their original cases. Whether it’s a well-loved trumpet, a weathered violin, or a classic drum, these treasures can be repurposed into festive musical Christmas decor, adding a nostalgic charm that pairs perfectly with Christmas carols and seasonal cheer.
While out Thrifting with the Gals, I came across an extended, narrow-framed high school band photo in an antique shop, and that’s when the idea struck—why not decorate with old musical instruments for the holidays?
This particular photo was taken at the 21st Annual Vermont Musical Festival on May 6th, 7th, and 8th, 1948, in Burlington, Vermont, where high school bands from all over the state gathered to perform.
What a remarkable piece of history to inspire a musical Christmas decor theme!
Creating an Old World Christmas with Musical Charm
A Vintage Band Photo as the Starting Point
To kick off this old world Christmas theme, I hung the framed 1948 high school band photo above the French doors leading into our guest bedrooms. Just to the left, my built-in living room bookshelves became the perfect backdrop for a musical Christmas decor display. You can see them all dressed up for the holidays in my post, How to Decorate Bookshelves for a Vintage Christmas.
Antiquing for Musical Treasures
While staying in Maine for a couple of weeks, I wandered into the Sage Farm Pop-Up Christmas Market and couldn’t resist bringing home a few vintage musical finds—a beautifully aged drum and a classic trumpet.
I immediately knew they’d be the perfect pairing with an old violin I already had at home, and just like that, our musical Christmas decor instrument-themed Christmas was born! You can check out all my vintage holiday finds in my A Vintage Christmas Haul and 3 Holiday Wreaths post.
Styling Musical Instruments for the Holidays
To tie everything together, I added soft blue velvet bows to each instrument, keeping in line with my blue-hued holiday decor.
To avoid putting holes in our freshly painted bookshelves, I cleverly used Command Strips to hang the trumpet and violin on either side of the bookcase—because decorating should be fun, not stressful!
Adding Vintage Music Books & Sheet Music
A musical Christmas decor theme wouldn’t be complete without a nod to Christmas carols and classic tunes.
I leaned a large vintage music book next to the drum and layered in some smaller ones for added charm.
For a simple yet elegant touch, roll up some vintage sheet music and tie it with ribbon, twine, or jute—it makes for an easy and beautiful addition to any old world Christmas display.
Pro Tip
You may also enjoy the post, 32 Antique Christmas Decor Treasures to Look for in 2022.
Instrument Ornaments & More Musical Christmas Decor Ideas
If you love this look but don’t have full-sized instruments, try decorating with instrument ornaments!
Mini violins, trumpets, and drums look beautiful on a Christmas tree, hung on a garland, or even tucked into a tablescape. No matter how you style them, musical Christmas decor adds a sense of nostalgia, warmth, and a little extra holiday magic. 🎶✨
Decorating with musical Christmas decor is a fun and creative way to bring a little old-world charm into the holiday season—and the best part?
Pro Tip
You want to miss all this Vintage Christmas Decor on Full Display—Chock-full of holiday inspiration.
These vintage instruments and musical Christmas decor don’t have to go back into storage once the holidays are over!
After Christmas, I’ll simply remove the ribbons and let them shine as part of my winter decor.
Pro Tip
You may also enjoy the 63+ Thrift Store Decor Ideas For The Best Vintage Home Look, Thrifting with the Gals end-of-year round-up post.
Now, I just need to track down an old clarinet and flute to add to my musical Christmas decor collection!
Which vintage musical instrument would you love to decorate with? 🎶✨
Your Guide to Embracing Eclectic Style, Vintage Finds, and Thrifted Home Inspiration~
Love decorating with vintage finds, thrifted treasures, and eclectic charm? I’d love to hear from you! Leave a comment below, share this post with a vintage-loving friend, or join our Reader’s Showcase Series — where we feature your favorite thrifted and antique finds. Email me at [email protected] to be part of it!
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Where can I buy old musical instruments?
You can find old musical instruments in second-hand shops, thrift stores, Goodwill, local schools, antique stores, flea markets, estate sales, and families with children who have outgrown their musical instruments. I have also found a few old musical instruments for you to shop online here.
You may also want to check out this How to Vintage Shop Online post.
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Hi! Love this! I have my Dad’s (he would be 103 today) clarinet from high school. I want to hang it on the wall. It is beautiful! It needs a good cleaning. How would you recommend to clean. Or who would you recommend me to take it too. Thanks again for such a love.y post!
Thanks so much Alyson, musical instruments are so fun to decorate with. Honestly though, I don’t know the best way to clean them and with yours being such a family heirloom, I would have it professionally cleaned. Maybe call a local music teacher at your local education institutions and see what they would recommend. What a treasure you have!
This is one of my favorite posts! I stare at every nook and cranny on your bookcase and love it so much. The adorable accessories, the tattered books, the colors, the spacing, everything. It’s perfect. Already looking forward to seeing what you pick up next year!
Thanks for following along Cindy, I always enjoy hearing from you!
Greetings from Virginia!
Your blog is so beautiful and well written that it is a treat to receive! I think everyone understands your need for freedom to create and share as it occurs naturally — rather than a firm deadline. I hope you have a lovely new year filled with all the things you love best! Blessings on you and yours, Mary
Mary thank you so kindly. Yes, the freedom to create is exactly the idea, I’m happy you understand; it will be much more fun and relaxing. Sometimes I felt like I needed to get things done to meet deadlines like a newsletter. And we don’t need that in retirement do we, haha. Best to you my friend!
That old photo is an awesome find! Love how you used it to launch your theme. I’ve always loved the musical decor theme. I’m drooling over that drum; would love to find one someday!
Thank you Lora I’ve enjoyed decorating with them this year. Such a fun theme. Merry Christmas!
Well done, Ann! I love antique instruments – esp at Christmastime!
Highly suggest checking out Craigslist from time to time – I am a flutist and have seen many very old ones on there from time to time.
Good luck finding what you are looking for. I adore the drum – looks just like the one The Little Drummer Boy may have played for Baby Jesus. ♥
Merry Christmas to you and yours.
Ann
What fun ideas. I love that old photo. So special that it’s from your area.
Thanks kindly, Rachel
What a lovely way to decorate for Christmas. I have a few old musical instrument ornaments. Both our kids are musicians. Our daughter is a pianist and now teaches from home so they have a beautiful music room with baby grand and antique pump organ which was her great great great grandmother’s. Years back we found a miniature clarinet about 4” long in a red velvet lined case in a Savannah antique store which is displayed in this room. It looks identical to a full instrument. That’s my favorite.
Wow Pamela, how special. I’ve really enjoyed decorating with old instruments this year. That room of yours must be so inspiring! Happy Holidays!