Don’t pass up local flea market

I love to go antiquing. And, it’s always fun to spend a day at the flea market.

There’s something about the serendipity of finding the perfect thing – a piece of china or vintage jewelry or a bit of fabric or ephemera – and bringing it home with you.

This time of year, there’s added appeal.

Vintage Christmas ornaments and decorations recall holidays of the past. I always try to make it to the December flea market for just that reason. And, I usually find a treasure.

One of my family’s favorite decorations is a wreath decorated with funky ornaments from the 1950s and ‘60s. Dancing Santas, gossamer angels and colorful foil holiday corsages – no well-dressed young woman would have been without one of these pinned to her car coat – all picked up from estate sales and flea markets, bring a retro feeling to the room.

There’s no right way or wrong way to make a wreath like that. It’s built one discovery at a time. When something gets broken or falls off, it’s easy to replace. And there’s always room for one more find.

The flea market is coming up this weekend. I’m already wondering what nifty little thing I’ll discover.