Are old Christmas ornaments worth money?

Christmas ornaments can be a treasured part of holiday traditions and bring back wonderful memories year after year. If you have inherited vintage or antique Christmas ornaments, or have collected ornaments over the years, you may be wondering if your old Christmas decorations are worth any money. There are a variety of factors that impact the value of old Christmas ornaments.

What makes Christmas ornaments valuable?

There are a few key factors that make vintage and antique Christmas ornaments more valuable to collectors:

• Age – Ornaments made in the early 1900s through the 1950s or 1960s tend to be more valuable than newer ornaments.
• Craftsmanship – Handcrafted ornaments, hand painted details, and ornaments made out of finer materials like glass, silver, or porcelain tend to increase value.
• Rarity – Unique ornaments, limited edition pieces, and ornaments no longer in production typically have higher value.
• Brand – Collectors may pay more for ornaments made by specific companies like Shiny Brite, Poland, or Radko.
• Condition – Ornaments in excellent condition and in original boxes or with tags intact are often worth more.
• Provenance – Knowing an ornament’s history and origin can increase its collectibility.

Christmas ornaments that are poorly made, mass-produced, damaged, or lacking distinguishing characteristics typically have little monetary value for collectors.

Types of vintage and antique ornaments

Here are some of the most popular and valuable types of old Christmas ornaments:

Glass ornaments

Intricately handblown European glass ornaments dating back to the 1800s and early 1900s can sell for hundreds or even thousands of dollars. Ornaments made by glass companies like Lauscha in Germany, Przybilla & Sporysz in Poland, and Shiny Brite in the United States are very desirable to collectors.

Beaded and fabric ornaments

Ornaments stitched from beads or lace, made from velvet and brocade fabrics, or shaped from chenille pipe cleaners were popular in the late 1800s through the 1920s. Handcrafted beaded and fabric ornaments in excellent condition can sell for $50-$100 or more.

Tinsel and early aluminum ornaments

Delicate tinsel ornaments were used in the late 1800s and early 1900s, while lightweight aluminum Christmas trees and ornaments became trendy in the 1950s and 60s. Vintage aluminum ornaments can sell for $25-$50, while tinsel ornaments can fetch $100 or more.

Mercury glass ornaments

Ornaments made from mercury glass with silvered, mirrored finishes were most popular in the 1920s and 30s. Uncommon molded shapes or mercury glass ornaments with unusual decorations can be quite valuable to collectors.

Cardboard and felt ornaments

Vintage cardboard Christmas ornaments from the first half of the 20th century can be worth $10-$30 or more. Handcrafted felt ornaments were also common in the 1930s-50s and make unique collector’s items.

Signed/dated Hallmark keepsake ornaments

Hallmark released its first Christmas ornament in 1973, and many collectors look for early Hallmark ornaments, especially those in the original boxes. Signed and dated Hallmark ornaments can sell for $50-$300, depending on rarity.

Folk art ornaments

Handmade folk art ornaments using unique materials or displaying regional designs can have considerable value depending on their artistry and age. Mid-20th century Polish glass folk art ornaments often sell for $50-$100 each.

Silver and gold ornaments

Ornaments made of real silver, gold, or sterling silver were often used on upper class Christmas trees in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Precious metal ornaments can be worth over $100, even for small items.

Where to find valuable Christmas ornaments

Places you may want to look for potentially valuable vintage or antique Christmas ornaments include:

• Your home – Check boxes in the attic, basement, or garage for old family ornaments
• Parents/grandparents home – They may have saved sentimental vintage ornaments
• Thrift stores – Look for bargain treasures, especially around the holidays
• Antique shops/malls – Ask if they have any antique Christmas decorations
• Estate sales – Previous owners may have collected vintage ornaments
• Online auction sites – Look for rare or unusual antique ornaments
• Collector’s organizations – Find collectors interested in specific ornament styles

How to determine your ornament’s value

To determine if your vintage Christmas ornaments have any monetary value, here are some tips:

• Research the ornament’s history – Look for a company name, artist signature, date markings, or other identifying information.
• Evaluate condition – Ornaments in their original box and near mint condition have higher values.
• Assess rarity – Unique or one-of-a-kind ornaments tend to increase collectibility.
• Consider materials and craftsmanship – Finely crafted ornaments are typically more prized.
• Check collector’s price guides – either in books or online databases.
• Consult antique ornament dealers or appraisers.
• Search auction site archives for comparable sales.

Taking clear, detailed photographs and descriptions of your ornament’s markings and characteristics can assist with identification and valuation.

Selling vintage Christmas ornaments

If you determine your Christmas ornaments have significant monetary value, here are some recommendations for selling them:

• Local auction houses – They may be interested, especially around the holidays.
• Consignment at antique stores – They often display seasonal items.
• Collector’s organizations – Connect with enthusiasts interested in specific ornament styles.
• Online auction sites – Reach a wide audience of buyers, but beware of scams.
• Christmas collectible shows – Display your ornaments to knowledgeable buyers.
• Classified ads – Advertise locally to find potential buyers.

When selling Christmas antiques and collectibles, careful packing and shipping is essential to avoid damage. Consider sales costs when setting asking prices. And be sure to keep any truly sentimental ornaments to continue making holiday memories!

Most valuable Christmas ornaments

While many factors impact an old Christmas ornament’s value, here are some examples of antique and vintage ornaments that can be quite valuable to collectors or at auction:

Ornament Type	Estimated Value
19th century handblown glass ornaments from Lauscha, Germany	$200-$1,000
Beaded garlands and tinsel from the late 1800s	$100-$500
Antique mercury glass ornaments	$50-$250
Vintage Shiny Brite glass ornaments from the 1930s-50s	$50-$300
Early Hallmark dated Christmas ornaments	$100-$500
Rare Radko glass ornaments	$75-$250
Antique European bead, fabric or carved wood ornaments	$100-$1,000
Folk art Christmas ornaments from the 1930s-60s	$50-$300
Precious metal filigree ornaments from the Victorian era	$200-$1,000

Rarity, condition, materials, and desirability to collectors determine the ultimate value of antique Christmas ornaments. Common mass produced glass ball ornaments from the mid 20th century onward typically sell for under $10.

Spotting valuable Christmas ornaments

When you come across old Christmas ornaments, look for these signs they may be valuable collectibles:

• Age – Pre-1930s, or mid-century modern from 1950s-60s
• Handcrafted details – Blown glass, beading, wood carving, etc.
• Markings – Company name, artist signature, date
• Unique materials – Mercury glass, silver, lacquer, chenille
• Rarity – One-of-a-kind shapes, limited editions
• Unusual themes – Regional motifs, folk art designs
• Excellent condition – No chips, tarnish, or damage

Christmas ornaments that are faded, damaged, or have repairs likely have little value. But holiday decorations with distinguishing characteristics just might be worth money to enthusiastic collectors!

Caring for valuable Christmas ornaments

To preserve the value of your antique and vintage Christmas ornaments, be sure to gently handle and carefully store them:

• Use clean cotton gloves when hanging delicate ornaments.
• Hang ornaments on interior tree branches protected from doorways or high traffic areas.
• Pack ornament storage boxes with plenty of cushioning.
• Avoid harsh cleaning chemicals which can damage surfaces.
• Store ornaments in a cool, dry place away from windows and heat sources.
• Place tiny loop hangers on bead garlands or tinsel to prevent stretching and damage.
• Return vintage cardboard or felt ornaments to their storage boxes promptly after the holiday season.

With careful handling and the right storage conditions, your valuable vintage Christmas ornaments can maintain their condition, unique character, and monetary value for you or future generations to enjoy.

Common questions about valuable Christmas ornaments

How can you tell if old Christmas ornaments are valuable?

Signs vintage Christmas ornaments may be valuable include handcrafted artistry, aged materials like mercury glass or silver, markings from sought-after companies like Shiny Brite or Radko, dates from early 1900s-1950s, excellent condition, rare designs, and unique crafting methods or materials.

What are the most collectible Christmas ornaments?

Highly collectible vintage Christmas ornaments include Lauscha mouth-blown glass ornaments, silver filigree ornaments, mercury glass, antique beaded and lace ornaments, Shiny Brites, Victorian hand-crafted decorations, folk art ornaments with regional designs, and early Hallmark ornaments.

How do you research an old Christmas ornament’s worth?

Steps to identify and value vintage Christmas ornaments include examining them closely for markings, researching the history and rarity, checking collector’s price guides, searching archives of ornament auctions, and consulting antique dealers or appraisers.

Where is the best place to sell valuable Christmas ornaments?

The best places to sell valuable vintage or antique Christmas ornaments include auction houses, antique stores/malls, online selling platforms like eBay, collectors organizations and shows, classified ads, and consignment shops.

How should you store valuable Christmas ornaments?

To protect antique Christmas ornaments, store them with plenty of padding in acid-free boxes in a cool, dry, dark place, handling delicate ornaments gently with cotton gloves and avoiding harsh cleaners or chemicals.

Conclusion

Old Christmas ornaments can be treasures that conjure wonderful holiday memories, but they may also have hidden monetary value. Ornaments that are antique, handcrafted, rare, in excellent condition, and desirable to collectors are the most likely to be worth money. By identifying telltale markings and characteristics, researching ornament histories, checking collector’s prices, and leveraging expert knowledge, you can determine if your vintage Christmas ornaments are worth selling to enthusiastic decorators and hobbyists.