I know, I know… this year’s been a disaster.
I can’t even get my shit together long enough to post my Christmas pictures before Christmas.
Being a hoarder/collector of vintage Christmas, there’s almost always a pile of old ornaments on the kitchen counter, or on the coffee table, and the kitchen counters…
or my desk….
And the floor under my desk….
Anyhoo, since hardly anyone got to see any of this in person, I just had to share with the interwebs.
Enjoy.
The “Big” tree isn’t really that big; it’s only 7 foot.
The bubble lights are modern, I get them on Amazon lately, but the big Japanese lanterns are actually patio lights from the 60s.
Since last year the tree was entirely American glass, this year I crammed it with only European ornaments. About 95% Polish teardrops and reflectors, from companies like Fantasia Glass and Santa Land, that are hand-painted with Santas, snowmen, girls in ballgowns, bells, Poinsettias, and snowy cabins and churches. There’s also a sprinkling of free-blown Italian ornaments, mostly made by the De Carlini family, of all my favorite characters; Mickey/Minnie, Peter Pan, Captain Hook, Linus/Lucy, Tinkerbell, and Frosty.
The Italian Santa topper I found at a rummage sale for $5…. no lie.
And I debated whether or not I needed it.
Obviously, I did.
On the coffee table there’s a mercury-glass bowl that holds glass ornaments all year long.
These are all American, made by Corning Glass in the late 30s and early 40s, and featuring a few of the more unusual shapes; disco balls, grapes, a guitar, American Santa Claus and a few lanterns. My favorite is the square lantern with the stars on the sides.
I started collecting these glass candy canes just a few years ago. They were mostly made in the 1940s by the American company Kentlee.
The little plastic skater next to them is really a candy container made by Rosbro in the 1950s.
On the mantle are a few lighted Santas. The big one is Union and he’s a very hard plastic. The smaller “blow-mold” Santa was made by Empire and is their most popular Santa shape.
These toy Santas are mostly Rosbro candy containers, sold at five and dime stores in the 50s and 60s. The tallest Santa once held a wreath, that’s why he has his arms spread and holes in his hands. (I can’t afford one with a wreath) The second tallest Santa – with the crown – is a “King Santa” made by Harett-Gilmar, he’s a bank.
This table-top tinsel tree is the perfect way to display my 1930s Corning pinecones. Most glass pinecone ornaments were made in either Germany or Japan, and are a little more “organic” looking, so these guys really stand out with their perfect, American deco symmetry.
I absolutely love hunting for them.
On the TV console is a small white “feather” tree with figural light bulbs.
(The Roy Rogers magazine above it is from January? of 1952 and depicts Roy decorating a tree with Shiny Brites)
Once I knew what look for, I find these guys all the time for just a few bucks. They were produced in Japan and I think peaked in popularity in the 1930s. Once one of them stopped working – the whole string stopped working – so most people would hang them as ornaments. Because Santas and bells are a dime a dozen, now I focus on the more unusual characters.
At the other end of the console, next to the photo of our sweet Harley Davidson with a wreath around her neck, is a small styrofoam cone filled with vintage Holiday pins.
Just when y’all think all this stuff is mine… this is Jamie’s collection.
He even found the silver ice bucket it’s in.
The shabby little deer is a vintage bank from Montgomery Wards, the company that invented Rudolf the red-nosed reindeer. (They did, Google it). At one point he had a red light bulb in his nose that would light every time you dropped a coin in his slot. (I can’t afford one with a light-up nose either)
Across the room, next to Christmas cards and plastic Noma bells, there’s a small, dingy tinsel tree crammed – and I mean CRAMMED – with unsilvered striped ornaments. When silver nitrate was rationed during WW2 American ornament companies countered with clear glass ornaments; sometimes with a piece of tinsel inside for sparkle.
The colored lights are C-6 size cones with Diamond Ray punched tin reflectors. Because they heat up so intensely, and I also want them to last another 80 years, I dim them with a table-top dimmer.
The plastic Santa on top seems to ruffle a lot of “vintage Christmas purest’s” feathers because he’s from a completely different decade than the ornaments and lights.
He’s a 1950s Santa Glo tree top or wall plaque.
And as if that weren’t enough options, he also sits flat on a table.
Shiny Brites that didn’t make it onto a tree this year are stacked next to my War-era tree in their 1950’s boxes.
As if you can’t tell… it’s my favorite vintage ornament box.
Even more Shiny Brites fill a glass cylinder on the kitchen table.
The slim tinsel tree in the living room is filled with Premier ornaments. Premier was a small American ornament company that competed with Shiny Brite for almost 20 years. Shiny Brite eventually bought them out and converted several Premier molds to fit their own wider caps. I think their bright colors shine like precious jewels on the silver.
Found this galvanized “Holiday Flowers” tub at a junk store last year. I’m sure it’s from Home Goods or Pottery Barn or some other such place…. but I really like it.
And it works perfectly lifting this tree up another 2 feet.
Here’s even more of Jamie’s collections, ceramic trees.
These were pretty popular in the 60s and 70s.
So that’s our post-holiday house tour.
Hope y’all enjoyed.
MERRY CHRISTMAS
THE CAVENDER DIARY 
Amazing room, luv the star on the mantle.
Thanks! Got that at Target. No lie. I just beat it up a little with some pliers… oh, and rewired it for incandescent bulbs.
Your decorations are so whimsical and yet elegant. I love it all. Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to all.
Gosh, I love all of this! ❤ my obsessions are the cardboard Christmas houses. Certainly you must have some of those tucked in somewhere? Beautiful collections!
So glad you posted. I enjoy scouring all the photo details throughout the year for style inspiration!
Awwww, shucks, Thanks Lisa. So glad that I can inspire you. Happy New Year!
Finally, the Christmas home tour we have been waiting for. Thank you.
Awww thanks Ronny! Happy New Year!
I just love your Christmas decorations. Many of your glass ornaments remind me of my childhood Christmases. We had a lot of hand-me-down glass ornaments that required dusting before they went on the tree. Sadly, my sister donated them to Goodwill prior to moving out of state. I regret that I didn’t contact them to try to get them back.
Thank you for sharing your wonderful collection. I love seeing how you put everything to use.
Appreciatively, Mary.
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Hi Mary! My grandparents had a lot of similar ornaments too, I remember from when I was just a tot. My Mom says that in the mid 70’s they tossed everything old out in favor of more contemporary decorations. Glad my collection could spark some fond memories for you. Happy New Year!
It Love You fits together nicely, thanks for sharing.
Thanks Tanya! Happy New Year!
ALWAYS look so forward to your Christmas post every year. Thought I had missed it! 😭 You have outdone yourself!! Incredibly beautiful pictures that are so perfectly complimented by your fascinating narrative. I always learn so much from ALL your posts… but the Christmas one is by far my favorite.
Beautiful. Wonderful home. Happy New Year!
Love it all. I want to know where you store it all. ha
We have a pretty big attic, and garage, and several closets.. and really anywhere it fits. Trust me…. this is just the tip of the “Christmas Hoard” too!
You have The Best of the best ~ Love Love Love! Merrie Christmas
Merry Christmas to you too Maureen!
I can’t pick a favorite vignette – they all are so amazing. And your home – gorgeous! Everything comes together so perfectly. Thank you for the details, too – so fun to read about the different pieces. Thank you so much!
Thank you for sharing with us!! Totally relate to not having your shit together. Happy Holidays!
Thank you for sharing with us!! Always love seeing your collection! Can totally relate to not having our shit together. Happy Holidays!!
Jim, Thank you for the tour and commentary. I loves the walk down history lane. I hope you and Jamie have a great New Year.
Thanks George! I’m always fascinated by the history of things…. esp when they used to belong to someone else. I hope you and your family have an awesome new year too!
Mind blown!
I don’t think I’ve ever noticed that striped day bed next to what looks like a red typewriter table.
Natch, I love it!
In conclusion: someone needs to write a Christmas book!
The daybed is a new-ish edition, prolly 3 -4 years. And the red table is an elementary school desk. It was one of those things that made me squeal with absolute joy when I found it! I’ve toyed with a book idea for years…. time will tell.
Thank you so much for the tour and thorough descriptions. You put the ‘Merry’ in Merry Christmas!
Really enjoyed this posting.
Thank you so much for posting your wonderful Christmas tour! I really believe it is the best yet!! I find myself smiling as I’m looking at your photos! I have my mothers and my uncles light bulbs from their childhood Christmas. My uncles is a Chinese lantern and my mother’s is a Santa’s head. Thank you for explaining the difference between Shiny Brite and the other makers. I collect what I love not really paying attention to the make but it’s so interesting to know the difference. Wishing you both a wonderful New Year!
Just plain amazing!
Thanks Billie!!! Happy New Year!
I love it and love the picture with Harley. I’ve been hoarding old ornaments since some time in the 80’s when a friend was doing it. I have my mom’s ornaments and she lived in Germany before I was born. Nothing beats the few purple Shiney Brites with four horizontal lines like yours. Mine all have green yarn on them from the year in the late 1960’s my mother couldn’t find the hooks. Please do a post about where you store it all! Mine is in the attic and we are screwed when my kids stop coming home for Thanksgiving. The youngest is 21 so it will be soon… I hope you guys have a Happy New Year!
Awww, it wouldn’t be Christmas without our sweet Harley. She always wore pearls at our Christmas parties. I posted a few years ago about our Christmas storage, I floored the attic with old crates, and I put shelves in the garage over the door that hold 10 tubs. Ooooohhh and also the kitchen banquette opens. It holds all my Radkos. Happy New Year to you as well!
This is my first time viewing your beautiful home! I am mesmerized!!
Awww shucks, Katherine. I don’t think I’ve ever mesmerized anyone before!
I found my first figural light bulbs last month (4 Santas and 2 houses) at an estate sale and it’s all thanks to you! I had never heard of them before you! Merry Christmas!
That’s so awesome! So glad i can inspire new collectors! I’m still finding ones I’ve never seen before… I think I bought 10 new ones in the past week.
Loved it. Thanks for sharing your home with me.
Warmest regards,
Ileana
On Sun, Dec 27, 2020 at 10:11 PM THE CAVENDER DIARY wrote:
> James posted: ” I know, I know… this year’s been a disaster. I can’t > even get my shit together long enough to post my Christmas pictures before > Christmas. Being a hoarder/collector of vintage Christmas, there’s almost > always a pile of old ornaments on the kitch” >
Thanks Ileana!! Happy New Year!
The trees and decorations look spectacular. Makes me wish I had held on to all my parents decorations, but I’m lucky if I can gather up enough energy (especially this year) to put up a tree and a handful of decorations. Thanks for sharing and providing some well needed Christmas spirit. Happy New Year!
Happy New Year Chuck! We didn’t have the same amount of energy we’ve had in the past, that’s why the trees are so bare. You know, compared to how I usually pack it all in.
One of the down sides of living in the middle of nowhere, like I do, is no high speed internet. I am still waiting for all the photos to download!😂. No kidding! I can see the top 1/8 of each photo. But I am not giving up, I would go to the library to see it if not for Covid. Not sure exactly when I will get to view the entirety of this post but I am sure I will love it. Cause I love all your stuff. ❤️
Now that’s dedication! I remember my pc doing that in the 90’s…hhmmm. Hope all the pics have downloaded by now.
Perfection.
Thanks Jayna! If y’all are ever in Dallas in December you better come by and see it!!
I am always green with envy when I see your Christmas collections. Do you have any favorite Dallas area places you like go to for your vintage finds!
Hi Lucinda, I spend quite a lot of time at Curiosities In Lakewood. and Lulu B’s, Forestwood Antique Mall, Benny Jack’s, and Dolly Python. I buy, and sell – lately, a LOT on eBay.
Absolutely stunning…
Thanks for sharing your knowledge about the history of alllll the ornaments..
Come decorate our homes!!
Aww thank you Robin! I’m kinda fascinated by history of how things came to be…. especially American Christmas. Glad you liked.
Just seeing this post..but it doesn’t matter as I would enjoy your fabulous collections in the middle of summer. Oh, what a JOY to see!!! Drooling as I go, I’ve backed up and looked at everything 5 more times!! Thank you for posting, James…everything, as always, is fun and spectacular!! Sending love and wishing you two a Happy Brand New Year!!! Xoxo
Awwww thanks Cathy! I’ve seen pics of your place at Christmas and I think you way out do me! Happy New Year to you as well!
So sweet, James! Big compliment coming from you.
Sure enjoy your posts!! 💗
Wow, this is just awesome!!! I love everything!! I have my hoard/collection also, and I enjoy it all very much. Thank you for sharing with us :).
Cathy said she would enjoy your fabulous collections in the middle of the summer, and I couldn’t agree more. In fact, I have had a look at your gorgeous decorations about once a week since you’ve posted. I finally decided it’s time to leave a comment after stalking so long. Just wow! I can’t say I have a favorite vignette, but I love the idea of the vintage pins on the foam tree–just something I didn’t notice ’til today. I’m a huge fan of the shiny brights and have a ‘few’ myself. Nothing can compare to your wonderful sense of style! Thank you for inspiring me and sharing! Always look forward to all of your posts! Happy almost end of January!
Hi Sara, I’m so glad you finally took the time to comment. Those pins are a relatively new collection for us.. or Jamie. He started finding them a few years ago and we added them to a tree in honor of a dear friend of ours, Toni. She has been collecting for about 50 years longer than we have and always does a foam tree of them as a centerpiece for her December diner parties. Glad you like.
Gosh, I love all of this! ❤ my obsessions are the cardboard Christmas houses. Certainly you must have some of those tucked in somewhere? Beautiful collections!
Hello!
My goodness, what a magnificent Christmas display. You’ve given me high goals to work towards..
My friend lost her house in a fire last year, and with them her grandmother’s set of 12 Kentlee mercury-glass candy canes, which meant a lot to her. Is there somewhere in particular that you had luck finding yours? While the sentimental value can’t be replaced, I would love to find the physical items so that she can have that connection again. Having trouble tracking down more than one.
Have fun with Christmas 2022 🙂
Hi Kelly, thank you. I’ve been collecting over 30 years. I love Kentlee candy canes. It’s taken me decades to accumulated the handful that I have…. 1 at a time. Mostly they come from eBay and flea markets. I used to score them for about $15 each, but now they go for about $50. I wish I had a box, I’ve never seen one for sale. Best of luck.
Thank you so much James!