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Have Yourself a Very Vintage Christmas: Crafts, Decorating Tips, and Recipes, 1920s–1960s
Recapture the magic of Christmases past with fifty easy-to-make craft projects, candy recipes, and nostalgic retro art!Inspired by the most sought-after treasures from the 1920s through the 1960s, Susan Waggoner recreates a tempting array of decorations and provides step-by-step instructions that allow anyone to deck their halls with cellophane wreaths, glittered glass ornament balls, beaded bell garlands, and whimsical, tinsel-bedecked treat cups. Those pressed for time will also find quick crafts for every decade, along with style notes and decorating tips to pull it all together. Nostalgic art provides a host of images to use in greeting cards and photo holders. And to keep spirits merry and energy flowing, Waggoner includes a sampler of easy-to-make candy recipes, from Mackinac Island Fudge to old-fashioned soft caramels.
185 pages, Kindle Edition
First published November 1, 2011
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161 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 58 reviews
November 30, 2019
I was excited about reading this, I love vintage Christmas decorations and crafts but I found this very disappointing. I did enjoy a fact page about each decade of Christmas and learnt a couple of interesting things such as in the 1930s it was traditional to make a little scene beneath the Christmas tree which is a lovely idea. Lots of vintage decorations were described but no photos! I wanted to see the lovely things they were describing. The craft ideas just didn't look nice and didn't look very vintage to me. Glad I got this one from the library.
August 23, 2020
This book was fantastic--a perfect mix of background information and how-to's. This excellent volume is a very fast read, and it's divided into sections by decade, making it easy to see how one fashion or tradition led into another. In addition to full-color photos showing the different projects, Ms. Waggoner also offers clear directions, suggestions for other quick ways to imitate a specific decade, a brief overview of the factors that contributed to each decade's unique characteristics and celebrations, and the distinctive approach to the holidays that each separate era embraced. Although I have not yet tried the projects, they seem simple and straightforward even for noncrafty people. Covers the 20s, 30s, 40s, 50 s, and 60s. Wonderful book for anyone with an interest in vintage Christmas.
June 7, 2021
Really cool little book that discusses the aesthetic of Christmas in each decade, from the 20s through the 60s, giving ideas of how to achieve the look you want and craft ideas. There is also clip art you can use for the projects.
December 27, 2020
While I didn't read this cover to cover or make any of the crafts, I did read the historical and decorating trends sections fairly thoroughly and really enjoyed the information it provided. I only wish there had been more pictures and more decades, like the 70's and 80's, or perhaps even further back than the 20's.
February 2, 2020
This was surprisingly substantial! Lots of historical information about how Christmas was celebrated in the first half of the 20th century, and great ephemera from these decades. The crafts weren't quite to my taste, but I really loved that the author included a short section of easy crafts for each chapter. I definitely recommend this to history buffs and holiday enthusiasts.
November 22, 2012
For a book supposedly inspired by vintage decorations.....there are very few images in the book and a heck of a lot of text. I would have liked more pictorial examples of the decorations she was describing. There are some vintage cards for you to color photo copy in the back and touch up with glitter glue.
Underwhelming.
Underwhelming.
November 9, 2011
Interesting overviews of the Christmas trends that dominated each decade, 1920s-1960s. The craft projects (glitter-banded Xmas balls, tulle wreaths, etc.) weren't very inspiring to me but may be for others.
December 6, 2012
The book was good for being easy to read, but was lacking more pictures. The information about each decade was nice, but could have been enhanced by a few more photos depicting the information presented. Just ok.
January 13, 2016
Some fun facts, but definitely the use of more photography would have been a great supplement.
November 16, 2017
A wonderful trip down memory lane!
December 15, 2023
ANOTHER EXCELLENT AND INFORMATIVE BOOK OF HISTORY AND CULTURAL TRADITIONS
Author Susan Waggoner begins this 2011 book, “[This book] came about after several years of looking at old Christmas catalogues, old Christmas cards, and old family photos---my own as well as everyone else’s. What I saw was a wonderful world of memory, loaded to the gills with decorations no longer made. I wanted them badly. And I didn’t want the tattered, torn, and faded items that had survived in someone’s attic; I wanted to see them as they might have looked when they were new. So I decided to try to make them for myself. This book is the result of those efforts, and I hope you enjoy these projects as much as I did. I also hope you’ll use your creativity to make other items uniquely your own. I’ve included full-size card images and decorative motifs in the Art Portfolio at the back of this book. Scan or photocopy them, resize them or embellish them, and use them in your own cards, place cards, stickers, gift tags, ornaments, and accessories. I want your Christmases to be just as merry, bright, and vintage as they can be!” (Pg. 7)
She explains how to make a ‘20s tree: “Trees of the ‘20s were round and fat, so full that to get the desired girth people often bought a tree that was taller than the room it was intended for and lopped off the top. The practice was so common that tree toppers played no part in many homes, nor did lights, which were expensive and consumed large amounts of electricity. Despite the lack of lights, trees of this era had impressive dazzle and a distinctive charm all their own. Balls and glass ornaments were less numerous but more distinctive than those of today… Families often bought one ornament a year, and it could easily take a generation to accumulate a collection.” (Pg. 14)
She recounts, “Many Christmas decorations of the 1930s---especially the expensive ones---were holdovers from the 1920s. When they broke or wore out, they were not replaced in kind, but gave way to something far less costly. Yet people still found ways to make Christmas seem fresh and new, and Christmases of the ‘30s were as festive as any others, even on a shoestring budget. A key player in all this was Woolworth’s. Not only did the famous dime store sell premade decorations for less, but it also fueled a craft boom by selling ribbons, embroidery thread, patterns, fabrics, sequins, glue, and other items at low prices. One could go into the store with little to spend and come out with all items needed for a Christmas that hit all the right style notes…” (Pg. 34)
She notes, “In 1931, Santa’s popularity got a huge boost, when the first of Haddon Sundblom’s ads for Coca-Cola appeared. Santa had been around for years, of course, but the European Santa was thin and somewhat frightening, and the pre-Sundblom American version, while rotund, often looked weighted down by his responsibilities. But Sundblom painted Santa as an overgrown child, and he was an immediate hit with adults and children alike.” (Pg. 35)
She observes, “Previously, the fireplace mantel had often been the focus of the room, with the tree standing to the side. Modern homes frequently lacked fireplaces or if they had them, featured low ledges rather than mantels. Without a stocking-bedecked mantel to compete with, the tree was the most important decoration in the house, and homeowners often framed the tree in the picture window for the whole neighborhood to admire.” (Pg. 76)
She says of the 1960s-style tree: “Two trends shaped the tree of the ‘60s. The first was the continued movement away from natural trees. The aluminum tree of the late ‘50s was still to be seen, but the signature tree of the decade was definitely the FLOCKED TREE. Since trees had first been brought indoors, people had looked for a way to give them a touch of snow… a DIY kit in the ‘40s… involved spraying a mixture of chemicals onto the tree with a vacuum cleaner… Then, in the ‘60s , professionally flocked trees became available… you could order a tree in any color you wished. Pink and chartreuse weren’t uncommon…” (Pg. 96)
This wonderfully-illustrated book will be of great interest to those who enjoy the cultural history of Christmas.
Author Susan Waggoner begins this 2011 book, “[This book] came about after several years of looking at old Christmas catalogues, old Christmas cards, and old family photos---my own as well as everyone else’s. What I saw was a wonderful world of memory, loaded to the gills with decorations no longer made. I wanted them badly. And I didn’t want the tattered, torn, and faded items that had survived in someone’s attic; I wanted to see them as they might have looked when they were new. So I decided to try to make them for myself. This book is the result of those efforts, and I hope you enjoy these projects as much as I did. I also hope you’ll use your creativity to make other items uniquely your own. I’ve included full-size card images and decorative motifs in the Art Portfolio at the back of this book. Scan or photocopy them, resize them or embellish them, and use them in your own cards, place cards, stickers, gift tags, ornaments, and accessories. I want your Christmases to be just as merry, bright, and vintage as they can be!” (Pg. 7)
She explains how to make a ‘20s tree: “Trees of the ‘20s were round and fat, so full that to get the desired girth people often bought a tree that was taller than the room it was intended for and lopped off the top. The practice was so common that tree toppers played no part in many homes, nor did lights, which were expensive and consumed large amounts of electricity. Despite the lack of lights, trees of this era had impressive dazzle and a distinctive charm all their own. Balls and glass ornaments were less numerous but more distinctive than those of today… Families often bought one ornament a year, and it could easily take a generation to accumulate a collection.” (Pg. 14)
She recounts, “Many Christmas decorations of the 1930s---especially the expensive ones---were holdovers from the 1920s. When they broke or wore out, they were not replaced in kind, but gave way to something far less costly. Yet people still found ways to make Christmas seem fresh and new, and Christmases of the ‘30s were as festive as any others, even on a shoestring budget. A key player in all this was Woolworth’s. Not only did the famous dime store sell premade decorations for less, but it also fueled a craft boom by selling ribbons, embroidery thread, patterns, fabrics, sequins, glue, and other items at low prices. One could go into the store with little to spend and come out with all items needed for a Christmas that hit all the right style notes…” (Pg. 34)
She notes, “In 1931, Santa’s popularity got a huge boost, when the first of Haddon Sundblom’s ads for Coca-Cola appeared. Santa had been around for years, of course, but the European Santa was thin and somewhat frightening, and the pre-Sundblom American version, while rotund, often looked weighted down by his responsibilities. But Sundblom painted Santa as an overgrown child, and he was an immediate hit with adults and children alike.” (Pg. 35)
She observes, “Previously, the fireplace mantel had often been the focus of the room, with the tree standing to the side. Modern homes frequently lacked fireplaces or if they had them, featured low ledges rather than mantels. Without a stocking-bedecked mantel to compete with, the tree was the most important decoration in the house, and homeowners often framed the tree in the picture window for the whole neighborhood to admire.” (Pg. 76)
She says of the 1960s-style tree: “Two trends shaped the tree of the ‘60s. The first was the continued movement away from natural trees. The aluminum tree of the late ‘50s was still to be seen, but the signature tree of the decade was definitely the FLOCKED TREE. Since trees had first been brought indoors, people had looked for a way to give them a touch of snow… a DIY kit in the ‘40s… involved spraying a mixture of chemicals onto the tree with a vacuum cleaner… Then, in the ‘60s , professionally flocked trees became available… you could order a tree in any color you wished. Pink and chartreuse weren’t uncommon…” (Pg. 96)
This wonderfully-illustrated book will be of great interest to those who enjoy the cultural history of Christmas.
November 25, 2020
Everything I wanted in a vintage Christmas book! I was surprised at how nicely organized and not too "fluffy" that this book was. It goes through decade by decade, 1920s-1960s and talks about the main types of Christmas decorations, colours, images on decorations, and other ways of celebrating Christmas in those decades, and ties it all in to the political and social happenings during the times (in a nutshell, a sort of: 20s freedom, 30s depression, 40s war, 50s commercialization, 60s a big blend & rise of hippies). It's American-focused, like the red/white/blue ornaments being popular in the 40s, and I'm not American, but I still found it enjoyable. I do wish there were a few more photos when she described said themes and images, but I enjoyed reading it regardless.
Plus, the crafts on each section were largely solid projects I could see myself doing!
I collect vintage Christmas ornaments (mostly Shiny Brites) and old holiday postcards, and I look forward to taking this book to my collection and trying to figure out the dates of the pieces I'm unsure of, based on colours, styles, and image themes.
This was a library book, but it's the sort of thing I want to own and look at as I continue to collect or just to make crafts (like maybe one year I can do a mini tree focused on a single decade). I plan to buy it.
My only other quibble was that it doesn't go far enough. Generally, 20 years old is considered "vintage" (and 100 considered "antique"), so I'd love to see the 70s, 80s, 90s, and even the first decade of the 2000s analyzed in this way. Bring on the next book!
Plus, the crafts on each section were largely solid projects I could see myself doing!
I collect vintage Christmas ornaments (mostly Shiny Brites) and old holiday postcards, and I look forward to taking this book to my collection and trying to figure out the dates of the pieces I'm unsure of, based on colours, styles, and image themes.
This was a library book, but it's the sort of thing I want to own and look at as I continue to collect or just to make crafts (like maybe one year I can do a mini tree focused on a single decade). I plan to buy it.
My only other quibble was that it doesn't go far enough. Generally, 20 years old is considered "vintage" (and 100 considered "antique"), so I'd love to see the 70s, 80s, 90s, and even the first decade of the 2000s analyzed in this way. Bring on the next book!
July 16, 2022
I wanted to love this book, the title alone hearkens to nostalgia that in this uncertain world I think a lot of people will be attempting to capture this upcoming holiday season. Borrowed and read as an ebook from my library, this book (despite being published in 2011) feels like it could have been written back in the decades it is writing about.
Waggoner makes extensive reference to name brands and historic trends without any images or illustrations to accompany which left me with a particularly blank mental theater. Additionally, crafts or recipes included come with seldom if any illustrations or pictures. I found myself creating my own appendix via google searches so I could understand just what the heck the author was writing about. Without references or images, or in-depth descriptions even, to go off of, I had a hard time knowing just what I was looking for or at within my own research results.
Using this book as a guide it would certainly be easy to evoke vintage nostalgia this upcoming season, but I didn't get enough information to feel confident in the authenticity of what I envision or hopefully create,
There is little nuance offered to the historic and sometimes offensive terms used for items in the past. Using those terms without comment is a problem in and of itself, especially as they were not emerging as offensive back when this was written/published.
All that being said, I would love to see this book updated and expanded on and will be actively looking for similar titles now that are more accessible and comprehensive. I don't know if Waggoner is the one to do it, but I'm there there is someone out there who can do it justice.
Waggoner makes extensive reference to name brands and historic trends without any images or illustrations to accompany which left me with a particularly blank mental theater. Additionally, crafts or recipes included come with seldom if any illustrations or pictures. I found myself creating my own appendix via google searches so I could understand just what the heck the author was writing about. Without references or images, or in-depth descriptions even, to go off of, I had a hard time knowing just what I was looking for or at within my own research results.
Using this book as a guide it would certainly be easy to evoke vintage nostalgia this upcoming season, but I didn't get enough information to feel confident in the authenticity of what I envision or hopefully create,
There is little nuance offered to the historic and sometimes offensive terms used for items in the past. Using those terms without comment is a problem in and of itself, especially as they were not emerging as offensive back when this was written/published.
All that being said, I would love to see this book updated and expanded on and will be actively looking for similar titles now that are more accessible and comprehensive. I don't know if Waggoner is the one to do it, but I'm there there is someone out there who can do it justice.
February 13, 2023
Very brief descriptions of Christmas decor trends through the decades, without photographs to back any of it up. I was particularly taken by the description of trees in the 1920s being threaded with gold to look like they were a shimmering net--but what on earth does this look like? Even a drawing would be helpful!
The crafts themselves look like things I made in kindergarten. One of the tutorials is for treat cups made from muffin liners with pipe cleaner handles.
A few cute images from old Christmas cards, but honestly, you'll find better on Pinterest. Overall, this smacks of something slapped together on the fly to fulfill a contract.
The crafts themselves look like things I made in kindergarten. One of the tutorials is for treat cups made from muffin liners with pipe cleaner handles.
A few cute images from old Christmas cards, but honestly, you'll find better on Pinterest. Overall, this smacks of something slapped together on the fly to fulfill a contract.
January 6, 2024
As a Christmas, crafting, and history buff, I really enjoyed this book. The author's enthusiasm for and love of Christmas past shines through on every page!
I thought the author did an excellent job of researching the five decades listed in the title. Her crafts were cute and almost all of them could be completed by families, scout/youth groups, and in other groups of children and/or adults who enjoy crafting for the holidays using relatively inexpensive materials.
Highly-recommended to fans of vintage Christmas history, vintage crafts, and Christmas ephemera.
I borrowed this book through our library's inter-library loan program.
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I thought the author did an excellent job of researching the five decades listed in the title. Her crafts were cute and almost all of them could be completed by families, scout/youth groups, and in other groups of children and/or adults who enjoy crafting for the holidays using relatively inexpensive materials.
Highly-recommended to fans of vintage Christmas history, vintage crafts, and Christmas ephemera.
I borrowed this book through our library's inter-library loan program.
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November 17, 2017
Fun Christmas themed craft book. Waggoner includes a brief history of how the opulence of the 20s, the Great Depression of the 30s, World War II in the 40s, the homecoming 50s, and the psychedelic 60s influenced how people decorated for Christmas in each of those decades. The book includes directions for crafts, recipes, and decorating tips for each decade. A gallery of Vintage Christmas card images is included and available to be photocopied.
July 30, 2023
If the front cover didn't convince me to get the book (which it did), the recipe for Mackinac Island Fudge would have done it. Every year we go to Mackinac Island, a wonderful place where cars are not allowed but fudge is. Lots of fudge. And it helps we pass Bronner's Christmas Wonderland on the way. The front cover says: "Crafts, Decorating Tips, and Recipes, 1920s-1960s". And that's what it is all about. Now I'm off to try the fudge recipe. Cross your fingers.
November 20, 2017
Very ingesting descriptions of Christmas through the decades. I'd have preferred a digital accompaniment instead of or in addition to the photo portfolio in the back of the book. Also, needs more photos so the reader could better visualize the great decor and craft ideas in the book.
May 7, 2023
A craft book that I actually read, not just looked at the pretty pictures. The descriptions of Christmas throughout the last few decades was charming. I don't do themed decorations so I doubt I'll use any of the crafts included but for those that do, this was a nice guide.
October 21, 2020
The write-ups regarding each era are great; however, the crafts are mostly just lacklustre. Great source for vintage Christmas images though.
December 29, 2020
I don't plan to undertake any of the craft ideas in this book, however I found it very fun and very quick to just learn a little bit about how decorating for Christmas changed between the 1920s and the 1960s. The author wittily describes each era, the influences, and the new materials in use.
December 19, 2021
This was a great resource to help me start researching Christmas traditions and crafts through the decades. Fun crafts and instructions about how to add a vintage flare to your holidays.
January 24, 2022
Entertaining to discover neat Christmas ideas from decades past. The history is also brief enough to be pleasurable. It's a light book.
November 8, 2022
Uninspiring crafts, too few photos. I liked the details of decorations, but I got the impression the author thinks that the past was better than the present, and I didn't enjoy that.
April 29, 2023
Christmas
I bought this book primarily for the recipes. I enjoyed looking at the postcards since I collect them. The recipes look interesting and I will definitely try some.
I bought this book primarily for the recipes. I enjoyed looking at the postcards since I collect them. The recipes look interesting and I will definitely try some.
December 16, 2023
An updated version of this book would benefit from adding pictures of all the crafts! There’s a serious lack of photos!
January 27, 2024
A trip down memory lane. Interesting to read with kitschy crafts.
December 9, 2025
It could use some sample pictures but it’s a nice nostalgic look at the holiday.
November 15, 2016
Interesting
December 15, 2016
As a collector of vintage advertising and 20s/30s/40s/50s/60s ephemera, this book was irresistible. It's an interesting mix—part craft book, part history book.
The graphic designer in me was fascinated by the history book part. I loved learning details about what are some of the (aesthetic) keys to recreating a Christmas look in each decade. For example, I was surprised to learn that throughout the 20s, green was seldom used for holiday decorations. Who knew? Instead, red was used most often as primary pick. On the other hand, in the 60s, designers channeled their inner Elvis (and his blue Christmas) and added a lot of cool aquas to their creations.
It is all of these bits of trivia—plus the gorgeous and vibrant retro art reproductions—that really make this book a treasure. Some of the included projects are cute (that's the craft book part) but you can probably find some more challenging projects on Pinterst if you have any DIY skills.
For me, it's this book's collection of hi-res graphics that makes it a must-read. The "Art Portfolio" section in the back is an archive of inspiring awesomeness. Make sure to read to the very last page so that you don't miss out on this section. So much eye candy!
The graphic designer in me was fascinated by the history book part. I loved learning details about what are some of the (aesthetic) keys to recreating a Christmas look in each decade. For example, I was surprised to learn that throughout the 20s, green was seldom used for holiday decorations. Who knew? Instead, red was used most often as primary pick. On the other hand, in the 60s, designers channeled their inner Elvis (and his blue Christmas) and added a lot of cool aquas to their creations.
It is all of these bits of trivia—plus the gorgeous and vibrant retro art reproductions—that really make this book a treasure. Some of the included projects are cute (that's the craft book part) but you can probably find some more challenging projects on Pinterst if you have any DIY skills.
For me, it's this book's collection of hi-res graphics that makes it a must-read. The "Art Portfolio" section in the back is an archive of inspiring awesomeness. Make sure to read to the very last page so that you don't miss out on this section. So much eye candy!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 58 reviews