14 Antiques That Can Double as Christmas Decor

I’m so excited for this post because I get to talk about two of my favorite things: antiques and Christmas decor!

I love decorating our farmhouse with antiques and vintage finds. But I especially love incorporating antiques into our home’s Christmas decor! So in today’s post, I’m gonna combine the two and show you 14 different antiques that can double as Christmas decor.

It’s my hope that this post give you lots of ideas, and lots of inspiration. I hope it helps you to think outside the box when it comes to seasonal decorating!

This is one of those posts you can refer back to all throughout the year for inspiration and ideas as you visit the thrift shops and antique shops local to you!

Feel free to treat this post as a vintage shopping wish list. Or send it your significant other when they ask “honey, what do you want for your birthday / Christmas / your anniversary”. (That’s what I’m doing!)

16 Antiques to Incorporate into Your Christmas Decor

Alright! Let’s dive into the antiques…

The first few of antiques I want to share have something in common – and that’s the color red!

I’m a big fan of using items with seasonal colors, rather than strictly seasonal decor.

Red is a great color to incorporate because not only do antiques with the color red work for Christmas… but they also work for Patriotic summer looks too!

#1 – Red Striped Grain Sacks

Antique grain sacks can be re-purposed so many different ways. Cut them up into placemats, sew them into pillow covers, or even find a pattern and make them into vintage grain sack Christmas stockings!

I turned my antique grain sack into a table runner! You can see the full DIY grain sack table runner tutorial here on the blog.

I do have another DIY in mind for this antique grain sack, but I’m nervous to even share it because I don’t know how it’s going to turn out.

I’ll give you a little hint. The DIY has something to do with our Christmas tree.

In my mind it’s antique Christmas perfection! Fingers crossed you’ll be seeing that DIY here on the blog soon!!

#2 – Red and White Enamelware

The subtle pop of red on the rim of these old enamelware bowls makes them the perfect addition to your home’s Christmas decor.

In past years, I’ve used our enamelware to hold a faux mini Christmas tree, and to store and display hot cocoa pods for our Keurig.

#3 – Vintage Coca-Cola Crates

Another fun way to add a pop of red, Coca-Cola crates are a fun vintage find that can double as Christmas decor.

Try using one the same way you would use a decorative tray!

#4 – Red and White Patchwork Quilts

Ok, this item might be my favorite item on the list! There are so many ways you can use an old red and white quilt as Christmas decor.

The most obvious way would be to swap out your bedding and top your beds with an antique red and white quilt.

Here’s a look I did in our guest bedroom featuring one of my Great Grandmother’s handmaid Christmas quilts layered over a newer vintage inspired Ohio Star quilt.

But you can also try wrapping an old quilt around the base of your Christmas tree for a make-shift tree skirt! (Mini spoiler: This is my plan for this year’s Christmas tree!)

You could even drape it over the back of your sofa, or lay it over an ottoman.

Or simply fold it neatly and display it on a bookshelf, or inside a cabinet with glass doors.

#5 – Antique Red and White Transferware

Red and white antique transferware dishes are another fun way to add a pop of red for Christmas.

Consider using them as your everyday dinner wear during the holidays, or hang them on the wall in a plate gallery.

#6 – Vintage Crocks

Whether big or small, vintage crocks are such a fun addition to your home’s Christmas decor.

In the past, I used our big 6 gallon crock as a tree skirt and I still love this look!

The smaller crocks would make a great vase / vessel to display some faux (or real if you have a tree nearby) winter stems!

#7 – Antique Oval Shaped Frames

I have a thing for antique frames, especially the oval ones! I think they’re pretty hung up on the wall all by themselves.

But add a sprig of cedar greenery to one, and suddenly it feels like Christmas decor!

You can also use an oval frame as a vintage wreath base. Just attach a bow, greenery, or even a few special ornaments and you have a one of a kind vintage frame wreath!

#8 – Wooden Sock Stretchers

Antique wooden sock stretchers have been on my vintage wish list for a while now, but I just haven’t come across them in our area at the right price.

I found this antique sock stretcher on Etsy just to give you an idea.

They are the perfect shape to hang up by the mantel, just like you would hang stockings.

But I love that they could stay out as year-round decor!

#9 – Vintage Doilies and Linens

One of my favorite ways I ever displayed our vintage doily collection is this layered doily table runner!

This year I plan on turning some of my doilies into ornaments for our Christmas tree! Stay tuned for that DIY coming soon…

#10 – Antique Bowls

Antique bowls can double as Christmas decor when you fill them with a few of your favorite Christmas ornaments!

These photos show a vintage white bowl, but you could also use antique wooden dough bowls and that would be very pretty too!

#11 – Brass Candlesticks

Vintage brass candlesticks are another versatile item. You can use them around Christmas-time, but they’re neutral enough and pretty enough to keep out and use all throughout the year.

I personally love the warmth they add for the Holidays though!

#12 – Unique Wall Hooks / Shelves

A couple years ago I found the prettiest wall hooks made from a reclaimed piece of trim-work and antique porcelain door knobs.

I love using this antique find to display our Christmas stockings!

But stockings are just one idea. You can also use pieces like this to display garlands, or even a wreath, hanging from the hooks!

#13 – Milk Glass

Milk glass is a fun vintage item to incorporate into your Christmas decor! But it can be especially festive when you add in a little pop of red.

I like to use our milk glass pedestal planters to hold candy canes and peppermint flavored hot cocoa stirrers!

#14 – Wooden Horse Stirrups

Last, but certainly not least… vintage wooden horse stirrups are another fun and unexpected item to use in your Christmas decor!

Last year, I used mine hung up on the wall as a display for bottle brush trees.

I purchased my first wooden horse stirrup because it reminded me of my papa, my Grandpa on my mom’s side. He loved horses! And ever since I found that first one, I’ve been slowly collecting them when I find out them out at antique shops and vintage markets.

Christmas has been my favorite time or the year to decorate with them!

My Favorite Places to Shop for Antiques Online

I love shopping for antiques and vintage finds at stores and markets local to me. But sometimes it’s fun to shop for these finds online too!

Here are a few places I like to scroll for antiques for our home:

• Facebook Marketplace
• Craigslist
• Etsy
• Ebay
• Goodwill – did you know you can shop here online too? ShopGoodwill is an online auction site and GoodwillFinds items are sold at a fixed price.
• Chairish
• Poshmark
• 1st Dibs

Decorating with Antiques at Christmas-Time

One of my favorite things about incorporating antiques and vintage finds into our home’s Christmas decor is how versatile these pieces are.

The items I shared in this post are not strictly Christmas items. And so unlike a Santa figurine or a “Merry Christmas” sign, you can get a lot more use out of them.

AND they don’t have to be packed away 11 months out of the year!

Now that’s not to say I don’t love a good Santa mug, or my growing mercury glass Christmas ornament collection! I love all the actual Christmas decorations too!!

But it’s nice to mix those Christmas items in with the antiques and vintage finds that I love so much!

Speaking of actual Christmas decor… have you checked out the new Christmas Decor Shop on the blog?

I curated a collection of all my favorite Christmas finds, from all my favorite places to shop for our home.

If you love what you see in our home, and here at White and Woodgrain, I know you’ll love the finds I curated in the Christmas Decor Shop!

And if you’re not already, be sure to subscribe to my email list below so you can keep in touch and never miss a post!

I hope you enjoyed today’s post! I hope it brought you a few new ideas and inspired you to incorporate more antiques in your home’s Christmas decor this season!!

Thanks for stopping by the blog today! Until next time…

Love, Brittany