Hidden Thrift Store Finds
Vintage holiday decorations bring more than nostalgia—they can bring in serious cash. From glass ornaments to ceramic trees, old-school holiday decor is now hot among collectors—and now might just be the best time to find them. People are decluttering after yard sales and moving, leading to a flood of donated treasures hitting thrift store shelves. Keep an eye out for these hidden valuables!
Vintage Plastic Reindeer Lawn Decor
Estimated value: $75
Starting off on the lower end, these hollow plastic reindeer, often seen pulling Santa’s sleigh in front yards during the '50s and '60s, are now a kitschy collectible. Their durability and nostalgic appeal make them a popular pickup on resale sites.
Vintage 1950s Reindeer Centerpiece | Vintage Christmas Decoration, Grandma Feral
Ceramic Santa Mugs
Estimated value: $100
Santa mugs from the 1940s to 1970s, especially those made in Japan or by Holt Howard, are now prized by vintage lovers. Sets with matching creamers or pitchers go for even more.
Vintage Angel Tree Toppers
Estimated value: $125
Often made of wax, celluloid, or glass, these fragile toppers from the 1930s–60s are hard to find in good condition. Collectors love their old-fashioned charm.
Gurley Holiday Candles
Estimated value: $150
These novelty wax figures—often shaped like snowmen, Santas, or choir boys—were popular from the 1930s to the 1970s. Unburned candles with original labels are especially collectible.
Shiny Brite Glass Ornaments
Estimated value: $175
Made in the USA in the mid-20th century, these bright, hand-painted ornaments are a staple in vintage Christmas collections. Boxed sets in mint condition fetch top dollar.
Vintage Shiny Brite Christmas Ornaments of the World War II Era, Jody Pritzl
Vintage Blow Mold Nativity Figures
Estimated value: $200
From Baby Jesus to the Three Wise Men, plastic light-up nativity figures from companies like Empire or General Foam are now highly sought after.
Holy Smokes! Blow Mold Nativity Set, Golden State Picker
Mid-Century Modern Aluminum Tree Color Wheel
Estimated value: $225
Used with shiny aluminum Christmas trees, these rotating light wheels are rare and desirable. Intact, working wheels with original boxes can command high prices.
Vintage mid century modern rotating color wheel for an aluminum christmas tree, Doreen Coleman
Noel Candle Holders (Holt Howard or Napco)
Estimated value: $250
Spelling out N-O-E-L in ceramic, these cheerful mid-century decorations often feature elves or angels. Sets from Holt Howard can be especially valuable.
Vintage Feather Christmas Trees
Estimated value: $275
Made from dyed goose feathers, these early artificial trees date back to the early 1900s. Their handcrafted look and rarity make them a hit with collectors.
Melinda Shelton, Wikimedia Commons
German Kugel Ornaments
Estimated value: $300
These heavy, glass-blown ornaments were made in Germany in the late 1800s and early 1900s. They come in vibrant colors and unique shapes like grapes or balls.
German French Kugel Ornament Brass Cap Fix, KugelDude
Antique Christmas Postcards
Estimated value: $325
Holiday postcards from the early 1900s featuring Santa, winter scenes, or humorous messages are now prized by ephemera collectors. Cards in mint condition or with rare art can be surprisingly valuable.
Depictions Of Santa Claus On Original Postcards From 1900-1940, Postcard Planet
Vintage Light-Up Santa Claus Decorations
Estimated value: $350
Blow mold Santas made by Empire, Union Products, or Beco were a lawn staple from the 1950s–1980s. Large, undamaged models can fetch serious cash.
Vintage Light up Santa Christmas Decoration from Royal Electric, Brea The Brat
1960s Paper Mache Reindeer (Japan-made)
Estimated value: $375
These delicately crafted reindeer with glitter and faux fur were often imported from Japan. They're fragile, rare, and sought-after by vintage holiday decorators.
Holt Howard Pixie Elves
Estimated value: $400
These ceramic figures from the 1950s and '60s have quirky charm and a cult following. Sets of pixies or any with original packaging can bring big bucks.
I Bought an Elf Village! #vintagechristmas #estatesalefinds, Dream Vintage with DJ
Vintage Glass Tree Toppers
Estimated value: $450
Tall and intricately painted glass toppers from the mid-20th century—especially German or Polish-made—are now treasured collectibles.
1960s Christmas Tree Music Boxes
Estimated value: $500
Wind-up music boxes shaped like decorated trees or Santa sleighs were novelty holiday items in the '60s. Working versions in good condition are rare and collectible.
Rotating 1960s bottle brush Christmas tree- White Christmas, Christmasmemories1
1930s–40s Celluloid Santa Figures
Estimated value: $550
Lightweight and often made in Japan, these small figurines were once common in department stores or homes. Today, they’re hard to find without damage.
1930's Celluloid Santa Claus Mechanical Shaker Figurine Nodder, EstateAuctionsInc
Vintage Mechanical Store Display Figures
Estimated value: $600
These animated window decorations—Santas, elves, or reindeer—once dazzled in department store displays. Large, working examples are rare and pricey.
Vintage Mechanical Store Display - Musical Bunny1, Kodner Galleries
Victorian-Era Tinsel Garlands
Estimated value: $650
Original tinsel garlands made of lead or silver date back to the 1800s. Because they’re delicate and hard to find, they’re now high-value collector pieces.
mattbuck (category), Wikimedia Commons
Vintage Advent Calendars (Unused)
Estimated value: $700
Early paper advent calendars from Germany or England, especially with religious or snowy scenes, are valuable—especially if all the windows are unopened.
Vintage Paper Christmas Advent Calendar, timsiproductions
1940s–50s Glass Ornament Garlands
Estimated value: $800
Glass bead or bulb garlands from pre- and post-WWII Europe are eye-catching and collectible. Intact strings are rare due to their fragility.
1930's, 1940's, 1950's Christmas Decorations!, Old Curiosity Shop
Antique Christmas Putz Houses
Estimated value: $1,000
These miniature cardboard villages were made in Germany and Japan in the early 20th century. Original glitter, mica snow, and paper labels make them highly desirable.
Golden Glow Museum 2012- Museum room- Putz houses, Christmasmemories1
Holt Howard Winking Santa Pitcher & Mugs Set
Estimated value: $1,200
This iconic 1950s ceramic set is a favorite among mid-century collectors. Complete, undamaged sets can command well over a thousand dollars.
Huge Holt Howard Find!, Emancipation300 -Michelle
Vintage German Christmas Pyramids
Estimated value: $1,400
These handcrafted wooden decorations rotate using heat from candles. Antique versions, especially multi-tiered ones from the 1800s, are very valuable.
Unboxing a Müller German Pyramid: A German-American Christmas!, Ivan Douglas- Happy Healthy Living!
Ceramic Light-Up Christmas Trees (Atlantic Mold)
Estimated value: $1,800
These 1970s DIY ceramic trees with glowing plastic bulbs are having a major comeback. Signed, unchipped trees with all the original bulbs can go for top dollar.
VINTAGE~ATLANTIC MOLD?~CERAMIC LIGHTED MUSICAL CHRISTMAS TREE~A/O FACETED BULBS, Maureen Carroll
Hand-Carved Antique Nativity Sets
Estimated value: $2,000
European nativity sets carved from wood, particularly those from Germany, Italy, or Austria dating to the 1800s, are incredibly valuable. Original paint and figures boost their price significantly.
'Tis the Season with Heirlooms Thrift & Gift: Hand-carved Wooden Nativity Set, HIA Health
You May Also Like:
Grandma’s China Might Be Worth More Than You Think
Retro Kitchen Appliances That Are Now Worth Money
Old Advertising Signs That Can Sell for Thousands
