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!

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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!

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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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