Have you been inundated with the “Christmas in July” sales and celebrations? While it seems a little crazy, I don’t hate the #christmasinjuly hoopla. In fact, it makes me feel nostalgic for Christmas.
My sister and I spent a few summers working at a year-round Christmas store on Cape Cod, Massachusetts. The first thing we did each morning when we’d walk into Christmas Joy was turn on the Christmas carols that played throughout the store. In the back room, there was a giant Christmas-themed carousel that played its own Christmas tune, amplifying the Christmas carol chaos. We would then turn on the Lionel Christmas train that chugged around the store, an attraction that was a huge hit with the customers. Even with so many competing holiday sounds throughout the store, I never got tired of those Christmas carols. (Okay, maybe the carousel was a bit much, but it was far away from the cash register.)
After the music was set and the Christmas lights were appropriately twinkling, we would go about the store, inspecting and stocking the hundreds of different ornaments, neatly grouped by theme or interest. We also spent some time customizing those beachy ornaments that would serve as little reminders of our customer’s Cape Cod vacations.
Christmas Collectibles Add to the Nostalgia
photo credit: Lisa L. Duncan
Finally, we would and freshen up our collectibles displays. Here I learned about Christmas collectibles, such as the Byers Choice Carolers, Fontanini Figurines, Snow Babies, and Department 56 Villages. Personally, I was never a fan of those Byer Carolers. But my sister was, and we used our employee discount to purchase several first editions for her now vintage Christmas collection.
We lived and breathed Christmas all summer long at that store, and it was wonderful. This is probably why I love seeing my Instagram feed fill up with festive squares of holiday hoopla.
A Vintage Tree Creates a Warm, Nostalgic Christmas Vibe
Feeling a little nostalgic for Christmas past, I went scrolling through my own Christmas photos from last year. I came across the vintage Christmas tree I had put together. Oh, I loved that tree!
Christmas nostalgia is clearly a year-round thing for me. As we get older, preserving family history seems to gain greater importance. This tree perfectly blended family history and Christmas in one simple nostalgic Christmas tree. It’s an excellent project for those that want to preserve and share their family history. And, if you double up the effort now, you can knock out a few meaningful Christmas presents early, as I’ll explain.
Start Scanning Those Old Photos
Creating a nostalgic Christmas tree is simple: just gather all your favorite old family photos and start selecting the images you want to share. When I look at old family photos, especially the Christmas ones, I love to see how all the vintage Christmas decor has changed throughout the decades. When I recognize some of the old ornaments and furniture I now have in these photos, I feel like I’ve just read another chapter in our family history book.
For my nostalgic Christmas tree, I chose black and white Christmas photos. It doesn’t get more vintage Christmas than that, right? However, whether you go with vintage black and white or color photos, it really doesn’t matter. What matters most is that the pictures celebrate the best of Christmas past.
Here are some other ideas you might want to consider for your own nostalgic Christmas Tree.
Don’t Forget to Preserve Those Memories!
Next, you will want to photocopy these photos on high-quality paper. You could also scan and reprint them on photo paper. If you make multiple sets of these vintage Christmas photos, you can get a jump start on creating meaningful Christmas gifts for your family!
If you know who is in the picture and where and when it took place, do future generations a favor and WRITE IT ON THE BACK. – Future Generations
When friends and family are looking at our vintage Christmas tree, I want people to touch the photos, take them down, and handle them without worrying about ruining them. Because of this, I recommend laminating your pictures. You can find laminating supplies at your local craft or office supply store, or online. It’s also easier to affix a beautiful thin ribbon or string for hanging on the branches if they are laminated.
And What Do You Do With Those Extra Nostalgic Christmas Photos?
Here’s the best part.
All those extra photos you copied? Wrap a few sets of those vintage Christmas ornaments for other family members to have as Christmas gifts. After all, once they’ve seen your tree, they’ll want their own anyway. Or, if you’d rather give them something a little different than the ornaments, you could use the photos to create a set of unique vintage Christmas cards. It’s a super easy way to create thoughtful yet inexpensive Christmas gifts that your family is sure to love.
Now, when Christmas time comes, all you need to do is whip up your favorite hot cocoa or egg nog concoction, hang these photo ornaments on a tree and let the memories flow.
Don't have a tree? Try hanging your old photo ornaments on a clothesline with little clothespins and string them about like garland?
Let’s See What You Come Up With – Share with Me on Instagram!
I would love to see your nostalgic Christmas projects! If you decide to create your own nostalgic Christmas tree or garland, I invite you to tag me on Instagram at @heirloomexplorer and use the hashtag #nostalgicchristmastree. Let’s see all those preserved memories in your Christmas decor.
Read More
Want to read more? Check out my post on Creating New Memories of Old Christmas Traditions. or learn more about Heirloom Explorer.
Follow me on Instagram for home decor inspiration, featuring heirlooms and vintage finds. Be sure to check out my reels tab to heirlooms in action, and where I go exploring.