Angel Wings Costume

Handmade Pioneer

Vintage Christmas Decorations

Whether you love over-the-top elegance, warm homespun charm, sleek modernism or campy fun, there's nothing like vintage Christmas decorations to make your holidays special.

You don't need a big budget or a huge collection of pricey antiques to bring a vintage touch to your holiday decorating. Though some authentic pieces from the era of your choice can definitely set a tone, you can fill your home with period charm, beauty, and fun without breaking the bank. There a world of reproduction ornaments from which to choose, and you can add your own hand-crafted touches at almost no cost at all.

Start by taking the little quiz below to determine what era to go for:

When I think of Christmas decorations, I think of
a. traditional grown-up elegance, with lots of baubles, bangles, and beads
b. homey, touchable, kid-friendly style with a natural touch
c. funny, campy, fantasy fun with a modern edge

My ideal Christmas tree would be decorated with
a. porcelain angels, beaded satin ornaments, velvet ribbon, shimmering pearls, and lace
b. handmade wooden ornaments, strings of popcorn, and personal mementos
c. candy, tinsel, bright glass balls, bubble lights, and cute character ornaments

I think the best colors for Christmas are
a. deep gem tones with loads of gleaming silver and gold
b. traditional red and green, with white accents and lots of natural wood tones
c. as bright as possible

My idea of a great Christmas gathering would be
a. a lavish, multi-course meal served on china and crystal
b. cocoa and cookies with close friends and family
c. a cocktail party

If your answers were mostly a's: Victorian Christmas Decorations are your perfect style. Lush, lavish, and downright decadently elegant, they're the epitome of holiday glamor. The "less is more" modern aesthetic is a million miles away from this regal, multi-layered look, so if you're a "more is more!" type of person, a Victorian theme is what you're looking for.

If your answers were mostly b's: the warm, family-oriented simplicity of homespun pioneer decorations are ideal for you. Some well-chosen handmade ornaments serve as accents to the natural beauty of live green pine boughs, colorful, fragrant fruit, and the glow of a crackling fire. The emphasis is all on the natural, the touchable, and the personal.

If your answers were mostly c's: The glitzy fun of mid-century modern decorations would suit you to a T. Bubble lights, cartoon character ornaments, and unapologetically artificial tinsel trees lit by revolving color wheels will whisk you to the stylish holidays of the 50s, 60s, and 70s.

About the Author

Love vintage decorating themes, but don't have a big budget for buying pricey antique ornaments? No problem. Find our how you can create the look of any era, including the lavish luxury of Victorian Christmas decorations and jazzy retro Christmas style, without breaking the bank.

Handmade Pioneer
Where can you find free sewing patterns for Pioneer Dresses?

I want to learn to sew. Plus I am trying to go on a trek so I need pioneer clothes. They have to be handmade so I thought why not make them myself. I don't want to buy the patterns so make sure the websites are free patterns only. Thanks!

What period? That makes a big difference.

For a manual of basic hand sewing, go to: http://www.vintagesewing.info/19th.html

For patterns, go to: http://www.costumes.org/history/100pages/costhistpage.htm and

http://www.costumes.org/advice/1pages/pattern_links.htm

Pioneer Days 2008 Celebration With Insightful Nana

The Pioneer $159.99 Montague Dawson The Pioneer - Premium Giclee Print

The Pioneer, 1852 $39.99 The Pioneer, 1852 - Photographic Print

Pioneer Farmer $49.99 Pioneer Farmer - Giclee Print

Pioneer Western $12.49 Pioneer Western - Masterprint

Pioneer Church $24.99 Pioneer Church - Photographic Print

Picnic Time Pioneer Picnic Basket, Tan $129.95 The Pioneer picnic basket from Picnic Time is lightweight yet has a durable basket making it not only elegant but functional as well. The basket has a rattan frame, fully lined with canvas, and has a genuine leather wrapped handle for comfort. The basket is equipped with double lids that latch shut, two front pockets and a reinforced water-resistant base. Included: 2 Melamine Plates (9-in. diam.), 1 Set Salt/Pepper Shakers, 2 Wine Glasses (8-oz.), 2 Cotton Napkins (14-in. square), 2 of Each: Knives, Forks, Spoons (Stainless Steel), 1 Cotton Tablecloth (45-in. square), 1 Stainless Steel Corkscrew (Waiter-Style), 1 Wood Cutting Board (6-in. square), 1 Cheese Knife (Stainless with Wood Handle), 1 Acrylic Blanket (50 x 60-in.) and 1 Plastic Storage Container. About Picnic Time: In 1987, Picnic Time created the world's first insulated picnic backpack. Since then, their pioneering ventures have lead to even more innovative picnic products with a collection that tops over 200 styles. These include sporty picnic backpacks, rolling coolers, premium wine cases and baskets for family outings and romantic twosomes. Most of their picnic baskets are comprised of 600 x 600 denier polyester with waterproof PVC backing, a special 420 denier nylon with polyurethane coating for easy cleaning, a polyester rip-stop to prevent tearing and ThermoGuard Insulation that keeps food and drinks at the perfect temperature for hours. Bar-tech stitching is also used to reinforce pocket seams for a lifetime of use. All insulated bags and baskets are handmade from top quality rattan, bamboo and willow. Leather straps and metal hinges and latches add to the strength and functionality.

Pioneer's Children's Multi 120VCaps $17.99 Pioneer's Children's Multi 120VCaps

Pioneer's Children's Multi 60VCaps $9.99 Pioneer's Children's Multi 60VCaps

Pioneer Lady's Country Kitchen $9.98 Pioneer Lady's Country Kitchen

The Pioneer Woman Cooks $15.6 The Pioneer Woman Cooks

The Pioneer Woman Cooks: $20.99 The Pioneer Woman Cooks

Decksaver Cover For Pioneer Ddj-T1 $79.99 Decksaver Cover for Pioneer DDJ-T1

Decksaver Cover For Pioneer Ddj-S1 $79.99 Decksaver Cover for Pioneer DDJ-S1

Pioneer Djm-1000 Mixer $2729.99 Pioneer DJM-1000 Mixer

Pioneer Cdj-1000Mk3 Cd/Mp3 Player $999.97 Pioneer CDJ-1000MK3 CD/MP3 Player

Pioneer Djc-Sc1 Controller Bag $249 Pioneer DJC-SC1 Controller Bag

O'Neill Men's Pioneer Shorts $49.5 O'Neill Men's Pioneer Shorts