The 1960s was a transformative time for Christmas decorating, with the rise of artificial trees, modern ornaments, and a dash of mid-century style. If you're looking to create a retro-inspired holiday atmosphere, we've got eight fabulous ways to decorate for a vintage 60s Christmas.
1. Go Retro with Colorful Christmas Trees
In the 1960s, Christmas trees were a symbol of modernity and fun. To capture this era's festive spirit, opt for a retro-style Christmas tree with a fun, bright color scheme. You can choose from a variety of artificial trees in shades like hot pink, turquoise, or sunshine yellow. Add some vintage-inspired ornaments, like mercury glass balls or macrame snowflakes, to complete the look.
Popular Tree Toppers of the 60s
- Glittery starbursts
- Sparkly bows
- Angel figurines with flowing hair
2. Deck the Halls with Vintage-Inspired Ornaments
Ornaments in the 1960s were a reflection of the era's pop culture and design trends. To create a retro-inspired ornament collection, look for vintage-style glass balls, mercury glass finials, and ornaments shaped like popular 60s icons, such as peace signs, flowers, or animals.
Ornament Trends of the 60s
- Iridescent glass balls
- Flocked ornaments with velvet textures
- Figural ornaments, like Santas or reindeer
3. Create a Groovy Holiday Lighting Scheme
In the 1960s, holiday lighting was all about creating a warm and cozy ambiance. To recreate this retro vibe, use vintage-style string lights or tabletop lamps with a nostalgic glow. Look for lights with a warm, golden tone or a fun, colorful pattern to add to your holiday decor.
Lighting Trends of the 60s
- C7 and C9 bulbs in festive colors
- Net lights for a warm, glowing effect
- Lava lamps as a fun, retro-inspired accent
4. Get Your Holiday Home Decor On with Retro Patterns
The 1960s were all about bold, graphic patterns, and your holiday decor should be no exception. Look for vintage-inspired textiles, like paisley, florals, or geometric prints, to add a retro touch to your holiday decor. Use these patterns on table runners, placemats, or even your Christmas tree skirt.
Retro Pattern Trends of the 60s
- Psychedelic prints with bold, bright colors
- Paisley and florals in fun, stylized designs
- Geometric patterns, like chevrons or hexagons
5. Add a Touch of Nostalgia with Vintage-Inspired Holiday Figurines
Holiday figurines in the 1960s were a staple of many Christmas decor collections. To recreate this retro charm, look for vintage-inspired figurines, like ceramic reindeer, snowmen, or Santas. You can also find modern reproductions of classic holiday characters, like Frosty the Snowman or Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer.
Figurine Trends of the 60s
- Ceramic or porcelain figurines in fun, colorful designs
- Wooden or metal figurines with a nostalgic, homemade feel
- Vintage-inspired reproductions of classic holiday characters
6. Create a Far-Out Holiday Centerpiece
In the 1960s, holiday centerpieces were a key part of many Christmas decor collections. To create a retro-inspired centerpiece, look for vintage-style vases, candle holders, or decorative accents, like mercury glass or macrame. Add some greenery, like holly or ferns, and a few festive ornaments to complete the look.
Centerpiece Trends of the 60s
- Candle centerpieces with a warm, glowing effect
- Floral arrangements with a fun, stylized design
- Decorative accents, like mercury glass or macrame
7. Get Your Holiday Craft On with Retro-Inspired DIY Projects
In the 1960s, holiday crafts were a fun and creative way to get into the holiday spirit. To recreate this retro vibe, try making some vintage-inspired DIY projects, like paper snowflakes, popsicle stick ornaments, or a handmade advent calendar.
DIY Trends of the 60s
- Paper crafts, like snowflakes or paper flowers
- Wooden or metal crafts, like ornaments or decorative accents
- Textile crafts, like embroidery or appliqué
8. Host a Fabulous Holiday Party with Retro-Inspired Food and Drink
In the 1960s, holiday parties were a time for fun, friends, and festive food and drink. To recreate this retro vibe, try serving some vintage-inspired holiday treats, like eggnog cheesecake, tomato soup shooters, or a festive fruit salad.
Holiday Food Trends of the 60s
- Jell-O molds in fun, festive colors
- Cheese and crackers with a retro-inspired dip
- Fruit salads with a sweet, syrupy dressing
We hope these eight retro ways to decorate for a vintage 60s Christmas have inspired you to create a fun and festive holiday atmosphere. From colorful Christmas trees to vintage-inspired ornaments, there are many ways to capture the spirit of the 1960s in your holiday decor.
So, which retro holiday trend will you try this year? Share your favorite vintage-inspired holiday decorating ideas with us in the comments below!
What are some popular Christmas tree toppers of the 1960s?
+Some popular Christmas tree toppers of the 1960s include glittery starbursts, sparkly bows, and angel figurines with flowing hair.
What are some vintage-inspired holiday DIY projects I can try?
+Some vintage-inspired holiday DIY projects you can try include making paper snowflakes, popsicle stick ornaments, or a handmade advent calendar.
What are some popular holiday food trends of the 1960s?
+Some popular holiday food trends of the 1960s include Jell-O molds in fun, festive colors, cheese and crackers with a retro-inspired dip, and fruit salads with a sweet, syrupy dressing.