My Favorite Thrifted Christmas Finds (and How I Use Them in My Holiday Decor)

There is something so magical about Christmas thrifting. Maybe it is the way old decorations carry stories, or how certain pieces instantly bring you back to childhood. Maybe it is the thrill of finding a treasure tucked behind a row of forgotten ornaments. Whatever it is, some of my favorite Christmas decor pieces did not come from a store… they came from a thrift shop shelf waiting for a second life.

Today I wanted to share a few of my favorite thrifted Christmas finds and how I use them in my home to create that nostalgic, cozy Christmas feeling so many of us grew up with.

1. Vintage Ornaments With Real Character

Some of my most-loved ornaments are the ones with chipped paint, faded glitter, or colors you cannot find anymore. These are the ones that make the tree feel warm and lived in. I love choosing ornaments with classic reds, deep greens, and gold accents. They bring that traditional 90s Christmas feeling back instantly.

I hang them in clusters on my main tree and sprinkle a few around the house on hooks, bowls, and shelves. A little imperfection makes them even better.

2. Vintage Carolers With Old-Fashioned Charm

One of my absolute favorite things to find while thrifting at Christmas is a set of old carolers. There is something so nostalgic about their little painted faces, wool coats, tiny songbooks, and classic red and green outfits you do not see much anymore. They instantly remind me of those cozy Christmas villages people used to set up in the 90s or the holiday scenes in old movies.

I love placing them on my mantel, tucking them into garland, or setting them on a side table next to a candle. They add such a warm, storybook charm to the room and look like they stepped right out of a childhood Christmas memory.

3. Old Christmas Books With Stories to Tell

Some of my favorite thrifted finds are old Christmas books. The worn covers, soft pages, and vintage illustrations feel like stepping back into a childhood December. These little books add so much personality to a home. I stack them under candles, tuck them into trays, or leave them open to a pretty illustrated page. They bring warmth, charm, and that cozy nostalgic feeling we all remember from the Christmases we grew up with.

4. Classic Stockings

Nothing beats the feeling of finding an old knit stocking with traditional colors or patterns. The kind your grandma might have hung up. These make beautiful additions to mantels or hanging on a bedroom dresser for a little touch of nostalgia.

I love mixing thrifted stockings with newer ones to give everything a layered, collected look.

5. Brass Candlesticks and Little Holiday Trinkets

These are the pieces that truly transform your home into a nostalgic Christmas cottage. Brass candlesticks, tiny figurines, wooden nutcrackers, small holiday tins… I can never leave these behind. I scatter them throughout the house to create charming little Christmas corners that make every room feel special.

Why Thrifted Christmas Decor Feels So Magical

Maybe it is the patina. Maybe it is the history. Maybe it is the way older decorations were made with such care. But for me, thrifted Christmas pieces bring a feeling you just cannot buy new. A feeling of home. A feeling of childhood. A feeling of warmth.

Every find has a story, and together they help create a home that feels lived in, loved, and full of the same Christmas magic I remember growing up.

If You Love Thrifting Too…

This season I designed a Thrift Haul tote bag and Antiques & Coffee tote bag, perfect for holiday thrift trips, antique store browsing, and all the little treasures you bring home. It is large, sturdy, and inspired by the same nostalgic charm I decorate with every year.

You can preorder it now and use code THANKYOU20 for 20 percent off your purchase.