There is nothing more classic than an aesthetically illuminated Christmas tree, especially with the nostalgic feel from a vintage tree topper.
Besides bringing a feeling of warmth into holiday decor, it carries with it a sense of decades past, where craftsmanship and symbolism were integral parts of life.
For many, adding a vintage topper becomes more of a time-honored move than a simple act of decoration, a way to bring tradition, history, and wonder into the holiday season.
Whether you’re a collector or just love the aesthetic of vintage Christmas decorations, there’s a topper style to fit every style and budget.
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Why Choose Vintage?
Vintage Christmas tree toppers offer a really special mix of history, art, and durability. Many were handmade from blown glass, tin, or early plastics that can be much more durable than many decorations made today en masse.
These figures have a character and uniqueness in their detail that can be found less easily in the more common decorations of today, and if well preserved, they can become family heirlooms.
Of course, there are many different styles to choose from, each with its own background and cultural significance.
From glass finials in Europe to American-made angels, each style will have a story that further enriches holiday traditions. Let’s dive deeper into some popular styles and the stories they bring to your holiday tree.
10 Must-Have Vintage Christmas Toppers for 2024
A beautiful tree topper can make a beautiful Christmas tree into a truly magical centerpiece. Vintage toppers boast a certain charm that’s missing in newer designs. Vintage toppers, whether traditional stars or whimsical Santas, bring nostalgia and class to holiday decor.
Following are the top 10 of these Christmas vintage tree toppers that you just can’t miss this holiday season, telling their own story and fashion, lighting up not only your tree but bringing the classic magic of Christmas back in your home.
1. Mercury Glass Star Topper
The mercury glass star topper is one of the most iconic tree toppers of vintage times and is symbolic of the Star of Bethlehem with timeless charm and brilliance.
Most of the stars were originally made in Germany from mouth-blown glass, with many having delicate mercury glass—a slightly silvery, reflective finish that shimmers in the light. Authentic, high-quality pieces can be found by such brands as Shiny Brite or Krebs.
Mercury glass stars really make a statement, especially on taller trees and drawing height and elegance.
Where to Purchase: These toppers can usually be found on AMAZON from sellers who have dealt in antique holiday decorations.
2. Glass Angel Handcrafted Tree Topper
The angel topper has a long, traditional heritage of peace and guidance. Vintage glass angel toppers are intricate in detailing, most often displaying hand-painted faces with actual fabric dresses that have lace or gold accents. These usually come from the 1940s and 1950s and are highly wanted due to their exquisite look and fragile craftsmanship. A vintage glass angel can be treasured within a family and pulled out year after year with much care.
Where to Buy: Find quality, hand-painted angel toppers at antique stores or specialty Christmas decoration shops such as Old World Accents and Amazon.
3. Blown Glass Finial Topper
Finial toppers feature elegant spires and decorative points, invoking a sophisticated look from old European traditions.
Essentially made in Germany and Czechoslovakia, these blown-glass pieces often feature a mix of colors, stripes, and sometimes hand-painted details. The unique shape and fine craftsmanship make them perfect for collectors who appreciate both beauty and history.
Where to Buy: Look for vintage marketplaces that have Christopher Radko or Inge-Glas. Real blown-glass finials can also pop up now and then in estate sales and auctions.
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4. Vintage Reflector Tree Topper
The reflector tree toppers, sometimes called “indented” toppers, became popular in the 1950s. These toppers have a concave design that catches and reflects light with great effect. The reflectors in bright colors, glitter accents, and intricate shapes would add just a bit of sparkle and retro flair to your Christmas tree.
Where to Buy: Reflector toppers can be found on Amazon, with popular vintage brands like Shiny Brite offering options as well.
5. Classic Santa Claus Topper
A Santa topper adds a little playfulness to your decoration while bringing back the 1950s, when Santa was all over decoration items. Typically made in lightweight materials such as celluloid or plastic, these toppers feature a jolly, rosy-cheeked Santa that is nothing but nostalgic. Santa toppers are ideal for people who wish to create lighthearted, playful themes.
Where to Buy: Vintage Santa toppers can be found on Amazon or The Vintage Christmas Shop.
6. Tinsel Starburst Tree Topper
A mid-century beauty, the tinsel starburst topper was popular throughout the 1960s and 1970s. Fabricated with metallic tinsel, sometimes even foil, these tops reflect light in every direction, making them even more unignorable. Giving your tree a playful retro feel, tinsel starburst toppers will really blend in well with other mid-century holiday ornaments.
Where to Buy: You really want to get such glittery, radiant pieces on Etsy, Amazon, plus some local vintage shops.
7. Paper Mâché Nativity Angel
Looking for a tree topper to which cultural and religious significance can be attached? A paper mâché Nativity angel tree topper is a beautiful option. Many were made in Europe, hand-painted with details, and sometimes gilded. They are delicate yet highly detailed, usually with white-robed angels with gilded wings, holding trumpets or stars.
Where to Buy: These lovely nativity angels would be found at a particular vintage Christmas store like Christmas Treasures or even a local antique shop.
8. Electric Lighted Star Tree Topper
Lighted star toppers became a favorite in the mid-20th century, when electric lights became common. These usually sport a plastic or glass star shape, illuminated from within, showing a warm, radiant glow atop your tree. Vintage lighted star tree toppers are offered in a variety of colors, although the most popular are white and multicolored designs.
Where to Buy: If looking for genuine vintage lighted stars, check out the brand NOMA on either, Amazon, eBay or Etsy.
9. Porcelain Winged Angel
Vintage porcelain angel toppers are made with such detail and hand-painted faces and features in softness. The series of the 1940s and 50s produced very well-recognized items for their beautiful design and skillful craftsmanship. An angel porcelain topper brings a serene, graceful touch into your Christmas tree, perfect for that traditional holiday theme.
Where to Buy: These beauties can be spotted in any antique store or through online vintage websites like Amazon.
10. Spun Glass Icicle Topper
Spun glass icicle toppers rank as highly rare and highly prized among collectors. They have an ethereal look with fragile strands of glass formed into an icicle shape, giving the topper a frosty, shimmering effect perfect for a winter wonderland theme. Many include light blue or silver tints, adding a cool, festive sparkle to your tree.
Where to Buy: Because they are so few and far between, these can be tougher to find; try Ruby Lane or upscale vintage shops for an authentic.
Conclusion: Why Vintage Christmas Tree Toppers Are Worth the Investment
Vintage Christmas tree toppers are not just decor; they are fragments of history that tell a story. Unlike modern decorations, vintage toppers more often than not boast unique craftsmanship, intricate details, and quality that has stood the test of time. Investment in a vintage topper can be a way for collectors and enthusiasts to start much more meaningful traditions over the holidays.
They are conducting research on where their toppers come from and reading about the brands and communicating with other people who love vintage decor. Many families have had a passed-down tree topper in their family for generations, so buying a vintage topper can be the beginning of this tradition. In addition, the nostalgic charm and distinctive style of a vintage topper add an added uniqueness to your holiday decor; this is something that newer, mass-produced items cannot do.
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