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Old-fashioned Christmas Collectibles

© Barbara Nicholson Bell

My grandmother Bess, who was born in 1895, never had a Christmas tree growing up in Syracuse. I'm not sure why, although I suspect that since her mother was from the Deep South, the tradition was not part of her childhood. In fact, Christmas trees had only been a part of American tradition for about fifty years, and were not as common in American homes at the turn of the century as they are now. It is a myth that the first Christmas Tree had been introduced to England (and America) by Prince Albert, the husband of Queen Victoria. However, their family's embrace of the German Christmas Tree did serve to popularize it.

Bess's first tree was given to her by a boyfriend when she was 17. And it was a tree made of goose feathers, which was the most popular kind of "fake" tree and considered very "in"! Bess probably decorated that tree with paper cutout ornaments, gilded nutshells, glass bead garlands, and candy canes. Simple, home-made decorations were inexpensive and pretty then as well as now. Perhaps her boyfriend also gave her one or two blown-glass or tin ornaments as romantic tokens. Those ornaments probably cost only a few pennies, but today those delicate old ornaments are very collectible, if they have survived. Goose feather Christmas trees are extremely rare and highly prized, as well.

Victorian-era Christmas ornaments, cards, postcards, and feather trees are fun to discover at antiques shows, flea markets and antiques shops. Later glass and plastic ornaments and decorations from the 1940's and '50s often appear at yard and garage sales. If you don't mind some wear and tear, do go ahead and buy any you find. Their attraction lies in their nostalgic effect, not their monetary value. However, the better the condition, the more you can expect to pay. Look for advertiser pieces as well as souvenir items for your collection. These increase in value more substantially, as with any collectible in those categories.

Cardboard ornaments and decorations don't stand the usage of time as well, and consequently are more valuable when in good condition today. Postcard collectors treasure their finds not only because they exhibit charming illustrations but because they've withstood the postal system of their day, and usually contain a handwritten message and are postmarked with a date. Expect to pay between US$1 and US$5 for a postcard in good condition.

There are usually a flurry of antiques shows scheduled for the holidays, where dealers will showcase their vintage ornaments and ephemera. This is a good time to make special efforts to add to your collection. If you've gotten a little extra cash from Santa, indulge your collecting passion! You'll preserve a piece or two of fond memory for future generations.