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Home » How To Make Easy Vintage Ornaments

November 24, 2022

How To Make Easy Vintage Ornaments

I love a good old fashion Christmas. The kind that reminds me of the Christmas’ I’ve celebrated in the past. I hold a special place for the old vintage ornaments too. I wanted to incorporate some into my tree this year and today, I am going to show you how to make easy vintage ornaments that will have multi-purposes this Christmas season!

Affiliate links are used in this post. Read my full disclosure here.

What Is Considered A Vintage Ornament

The standard for vintage means something that is from an earlier generation. Most often it’s at least 40 years old. The difference between vintage and antique is the age. Antique defines something that is over 100 years old.

One of the most important indicators that an ornament is vintage is its patina. Many times you can tell it’s vintage by the wear of the mercury glass. Antique and vintage Christmas ornaments will often show their age, even if they are in excellent condition. Most often the mercury glass will flake off see or the metal will begin to tarnish.

Some vintage ornaments are hand painted and some are wooden. I’m not a artist, but I will show you my version of making vintage looking ornaments!

“Some Christmas tree ornaments do more than glitter and glow, they represent a gift of love given a long time ago.” – Tom Baker

Vintage Ornament Supply List

  • Wooden ornaments
  • Vintage print outs
  • Modge Podge
  • Paint brush
  • Metallic paint
  • Twine

Now that you have the supply list, let’s get started with this super easy, multi-purpose project!

Step 1

The first thing I did was find and print off some vintage art work. There are plenty of sites that offer free printables. If you are unsure where to find some, just Google it. My goal was to get Christmas art that I knew I could get multiple ornaments out of when printed.

If you don’t have a colored printer, no worries! You can download or use your smart phone; taking to a local office supply store, printing the artwork out there.

The cost is minimal to do that, and if you are getting multiple ornaments per page, it is totally worth it!

Step 2

Decide what images on each page you want to use and start tracing with your wooden ornament. I used a pencil for tracing. Make sure you also trace the spot on the ornament where you will tie the twine, for hanging the ornament.

I used scissors to cut out the actual image and a small exacto knife for the twine hole.

Step 3

Once your image is cut out, it’s time to adhere it to the ornament.

Using a small brush I applied a thin layer of Modge Podge. Here’s a tip, if you add too much Modge Podge it will make the ornament a bit wrinkled. You need just enough so it will stick.

Next, position your image on the wooden ornament.

Let the image dry. This will only take about 15 mins.

If you don’t let it dry, if you try to pick the ornament up, the paper will stick to your fingers and tear.

After it is dry, apply a thin coat to the top of the ornament and set aside.

Step 4

After I adhered all my images and made sure they were dry, I applied a very thin coat of metallic gold paint. You don’t have to do this step, I just like the way it makes the ornaments shimmer. Especially, if you are hanging on the tree.

Step 5

The last step is to thread the twine through the ornament.

Super easy, right?

How To Make Easy Vintage Ornaments

These homemade ornaments are so easy to make and as I shared, can be used in multiple ways this season.

I plan on using some on my tree and using some as a gift tag when gifting yummy treats for Christmas! Just use a sharpie to write on the back!

However you chose to use them, I hope it brings youm much joy making them!

Don’t forget to follow me on Instagram and Pinterest!

10 Days of Christmas

  • Day 1 – Christmas DIY Ideas
  • Day 2 – Front Porch Decorating Ideas
  • Day 3 – Christmas Tree Ideas
  • Day 4 – Christmas Table Decor Ideas
  • Day 5 – Christmas Cookies and Sweet Treats
  • Day 6 – Christmas Decorating Ideas
  • Day 7 – Bloggers’ Favorite Christmas Idea
  • Day 8 – Gift Wrapping Ideas
  • Day 9 – Wreaths & Front Door Decor
  • Day 10 – Winter Greenery

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Comments

  1. Renae says

    November 25, 2022 at 10:57 am

    These are super cute! Such a fun project with your granddaughter. Hugs to you.

    Reply
    • cottageinthemitten@gmail.com says

      November 26, 2022 at 4:58 pm

      Thanks so much, Renae! It was such a fun project!

      Reply
  2. Jen says

    November 25, 2022 at 6:46 pm

    Oh my goodness. These are so adorable, Kim. I love how they turned out. I’m going to share your ornaments on my week in rewind post tomorrow. I think my readers will love them too!

    Hugs!

    Reply
    • cottageinthemitten@gmail.com says

      November 26, 2022 at 4:59 pm

      Awe, thanks so much, Jen!!😘

      Reply
  3. Ruth Newton says

    November 26, 2022 at 9:24 am

    This is such a cute idea! I love the pictures you used as well.

    Reply
    • cottageinthemitten@gmail.com says

      November 26, 2022 at 5:00 pm

      Thanks Ruth! They were fun to do with Brooklyn!

      Reply
  4. Traci Goure says

    November 26, 2022 at 10:54 am

    Wow Kim… these ornaments are super cute. I love the gold you added as I am always up for a little bling. It might be fun to add some of my German Glass Glitter that I have left from my store. The silver one ages to an antique patina after a while. Your fun ideas are getting me into the Christmas mood.

    Reply
    • cottageinthemitten@gmail.com says

      November 26, 2022 at 5:00 pm

      Glad to get you in the spirit!! I need to check out that German Glass Glitter, for sure!

      Reply
  5. Julie Ciechanowski says

    November 26, 2022 at 10:47 pm

    Kim, I love those ornaments, I have them on my tree, they’re so nostalgic!! And what a great memory for Brooke when she’s older💖

    Reply
    • cottageinthemitten@gmail.com says

      November 27, 2022 at 7:02 pm

      Thanks, Jules! They were fun to make with her!❤️

      Reply
  6. Tina says

    November 27, 2022 at 12:47 am

    Thanksgiving dinner, with family and friends is a favorite holiday.
    The vintage ornaments brings back memories of crafting with Modpodge.
    Great idea to also use them for gift tags.
    Love the pics and links.

    Reply
    • cottageinthemitten@gmail.com says

      November 27, 2022 at 7:03 pm

      Thank you, Tina! I love Thanksgiving too! Modge Podge is so fun to use!

      Reply
  7. Wendy McMonigle says

    November 27, 2022 at 1:11 am

    These ornaments are just darling. I’m going to have to make a few.

    Reply
    • cottageinthemitten@gmail.com says

      November 27, 2022 at 7:02 pm

      Thanks so much, Wendy! They are so easy!

      Reply
  8. Tammy says

    November 27, 2022 at 12:58 pm

    Kim, these are beautiful.

    Reply
    • cottageinthemitten@gmail.com says

      November 27, 2022 at 7:03 pm

      Thanks Tammy!

      Reply

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About Me


Hi! I’m Kim!

Welcome to my Cottage in the Mitten! I am a native Michigander. I am a wife, mom and mimi. I love DIY, home decor, all things pretty, community with others, and sewing. I make blankets for a cause, hoping to help find a cure for brain tumors. I hope you love my site and pray it inspires you.

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