deck the halls with vintage collectibles

FRESH FROM The FARM

Ilike useful collectibles. And because I don’t like anything to go to waste, I like to find new ways to make use of old things. Just because something is old and just laying around, doesn’t mean it can’t be salvaged or repurposed. And this includes decorating for the holidays.

I knew these old wooden desk drawers I’d found could do something new and fabulous. Worn, paint-chippy wood is so charming. Immediately I thought of Thanksgiving and the need for low centerpieces which wouldn’t get in the way of seeing family and friends.

I lined the drawer with this season’s hottest decorating fabric — burlap (probably because it is both rustic and natural-looking for Fall), but you can use any fabric that goes best with your table settings. Inside, I placed some nested vintage brown glazed stoneware bowls, a vintage brown milk bottle, some little glass bottles with colorful rocks and shells, and then, for some extra seasonal flair, I tucked in some pheasant feathers. Pretty enough for a Thanksgiving table, don’t you think?

I may just keep this vintage wood drawer on the tabletop all the time. It can be awfully practical, storing the family’s usual table needs, such as napkins, salt and pepper shakers, the morning’s cereal bowls — whatever you find you need to leave on the table. And since it’s all in one drawer, you can pick it up as easily as any tray to wipe the table clean or change the tablecloth (maybe even more so, as the deeper sides mean fewer things will topple out and over).

The holidays, with all their visitors, are the perfect time for showing off our collections. And what collector doesn’t want to show off their collection? Instead of replacing your antique and vintage treasures with holiday pieces, why not deck your collections along with decking the halls? It can be as simple as mixing in some simple holiday trims.

Here’s a collection of vintage soda pop bottles topped with simple gold and silver ball ornaments. It would make a unique centerpiece on any holiday table or mantle.

Before electricity made its way into most homes, Christmas trees had the warm glow of candlelight. The candles were attached to the tree branches via little metal clips. Most often they were decorative clips made in Germany, like these shown here. Since using candles to light your tree is neither practical nor safe, we don’t recommend bringing back that tradition lightly (no pun intended). But that doesn’t mean you can’t safely use these charming bits of Christmas past this holiday. They make wonderful placeholders on your holiday table.

Shopping at antique malls and vintage shops is an excellent way to discover more ways to decorate and show off your collections during the holidays. I just love the look of old wooden sleds holding Christmas presents. Sometimes you have more presents than the sled can carry — but a few on the sled looks lovely next to the tree!

Vendors at The FARM are very creative, offering many inspiring decor ideas. Come in to see for yourself, and share photos of your creative display ideas with us too!

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