Vintage ornaments brighten holidays

When you think about Christmas colors, the traditional red and green come to mind. But what makes the holiday season really sparkle is the glint of silver and gold.

I go for silver.

When I look for vintage ornaments I look for silvery mercury glass, or slightly tarnished blown-glass German pieces. And who can resist those Shiny Brite balls, so much a part of baby boomer Christmases.

Arranged in a glass vase or tucked into greenery on the mantle, they catch the light and bring a little shine to a room. The best thing is that, for the most part, vintage ornaments and decorations are plentiful and inexpensive. They don’t stretch the holiday budget.

Several years ago I collected a box full of fragile glass ornaments, shopping over the summer at flea markets and thrift stores. I glued them all to a Styrofoam wreath form and tied a loop of tulle to the back. It was a simple project but whenever anyone walked into the room, they stopped to admire the wreath.

Now you can find ready-made ornament wreaths in stores and online. Some are made with more durable plastic baubles. But I love the look of vintage ornaments that have a little history. There is a sweetness to the slightly shabby, timeworn pieces that I collected one by one.

And, if the worst happens and an ornament is broken, it is easily replaced. Another antiquing trip, another find.

That is what makes treasure hunting so much fun. Any time of the year.