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Christmas

From present ideas to party food, find all your Christmas inspiration here.

Retro Christmas Decorations

54 replies

Blindleadingtheblind · 15/09/2021 18:49

This year I've decided I want retro looking chrostmas decorations, the kind I grew up with in the 80s and 90s (my parents never rely updated their decs).

I want hanging tat going across the ceiling and glass coloured baubles. I'd love some of those plastic baubles that have a cotton weave over them too. Not explaining myself well.

The cherry on top would be the tree lights. I want the coloured ones that have sort of like a flower lamp shade over them.

Going to have a look on Ebay for stuff but if anyone can point me in the right direction I'd be grateful.

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thelegohooverer · 15/09/2021 20:55

The key thing is to try and avoid blue lights. They didn’t seem to have that colour in the 80s, and I think it makes all the difference to the retro look.

EvilPea · 15/09/2021 21:01

ukchristmasworld.com/collections/fairy-lights

IsItMeOr · 15/09/2021 21:01

What about lametta? I remember that being popular

Bearsbearsbears40 · 15/09/2021 21:04

I’ve got Victorian lanterns like the ones in the link above. They are nice but I was slightly disappointed that the traditional bulbs have been replaced by LEDs. Easier to maintain the set of lights, but not quite as retro! Smile

EvilPea · 15/09/2021 21:05

christmasdecorationsoutlet.co.uk/collections/christmas-room-decorations

There’s some of the foil ones here. I saw some last year in a shop but I can’t remember where

EvilPea · 15/09/2021 21:06

@Bearsbearsbears40

I’ve got Victorian lanterns like the ones in the link above. They are nice but I was slightly disappointed that the traditional bulbs have been replaced by LEDs. Easier to maintain the set of lights, but not quite as retro! Smile
The ones in the link say they have filament so hopefully have the look
Sewfrickinamazeballs · 15/09/2021 21:08

@Blindleadingtheblind

This year I've decided I want retro looking chrostmas decorations, the kind I grew up with in the 80s and 90s (my parents never rely updated their decs).

I want hanging tat going across the ceiling and glass coloured baubles. I'd love some of those plastic baubles that have a cotton weave over them too. Not explaining myself well.

The cherry on top would be the tree lights. I want the coloured ones that have sort of like a flower lamp shade over them.

Going to have a look on Ebay for stuff but if anyone can point me in the right direction I'd be grateful.

We did this a few years back as our house needs 'modernising' so well suited to it.

You need lametta! We did chocolate whiskey liqueurs for the Xmas tree. B&M were great for the tin foil hanging tat.

We also found the silk string covered baubles in garden centres.

Line up old Xmas telly too from YouTube.

It was great fun!

Bearsbearsbears40 · 15/09/2021 21:09

@EvilPea thanks for pointing it out, might have to find a space for some more now and order these!

Sewfrickinamazeballs · 15/09/2021 21:09

Oh, and paper chains. We got some in Lakeland.

TheGriffle · 15/09/2021 21:11

Charity shops. I found a bag of retro looking baubles last year, paper mache ones etc. I’ll see if I can find the pictures I took of them.

Geamhradh · 15/09/2021 21:12

My Christmas is resolutely vintage.
You can pick up boxes of old baubles from eBay and Etsy
Coloured lights - Noma (I think is the brand) on Amazon do a retro look set. Otherwise you can get working sets of Pifco and others from eBay.

EvilPea · 15/09/2021 21:15

[quote Bearsbearsbears40]@EvilPea thanks for pointing it out, might have to find a space for some more now and order these![/quote]
It would be interesting to see how retro they do look

I have fond memories of the little bell / caps on them and the pain of treading on them if they fell off Grin

TheGriffle · 15/09/2021 21:16

Here they are. Didn’t end up using all of them but they are all wonderfully tacky and Christmassy.

Retro Christmas Decorations
Retro Christmas Decorations
Retro Christmas Decorations
TammyTwoSwanson · 15/09/2021 21:17

I've got coloured lights from the actual 90s that I'm going to use this year. I really hope they don't set the house on fire!

TheGriffle · 15/09/2021 21:18

The pale ones are like soft shiny cotton or silky thread with the plastic wrapper round the middle and the tinsel baubles are my favourite.

NaturalBlondeYeahRight · 15/09/2021 21:20

Ok, I’ve gone with this for a while - still trying to decide whether to buy the retro wrapping on eBay as well but I’ve got those noma lights above and….
They really do go with the retro theme, even so far as sitting there swearing at them trying to find the bloody bulb that doesn’t work one by one. I bought 4 for my tree and it’s happened to every single set after about 10 days. Highly irritating

ethelredonagoodday · 15/09/2021 21:20

If a company started making the traditional coloured lights again I'm sure they'd make a killing as they are crazy prices on eBay!
I managed to get some last year and im thrilled with them.

bigburdd · 15/09/2021 21:26

Don't forget the terrifying Angel for the top!
I got my lights from eBay - had to add my own plug!

Retro Christmas Decorations
poppym12 · 15/09/2021 21:29

Not sure how I've wandered into the Christmas section but the pic of your charity shop finds made me feel teary and happy, thinking about my parents' decorations. They were used until my mum died (a few days after Christmas 2018).

EvilPea · 15/09/2021 21:31

I hadn’t thought of looking in charity shops (I don’t know why, I buy a lot in them) for decorations. The idea that the Christmas memories can go on in the decorations is lovely.

EvilPea · 15/09/2021 21:32

@bigburdd

Don't forget the terrifying Angel for the top! I got my lights from eBay - had to add my own plug!
Is that your angel???
Passmeamenuatthetottenham · 15/09/2021 21:35

Aw, 80s Christmas decorations bring back such happy nostalgic memories for me Smile

Elouera · 15/09/2021 21:40

Are you crafty?

My mother used to make her own wreaths and table decorations. I think the base was a floristy oasis. She'd then wire in small and large pine cones (pre- sprayed in glitter glue), thin strips of coloured foil ribbon which had been looped, and maybe fake flowers, small poinsetta etc. The centrepieces also had a real candle in the centre.

The pic isn't the actual thing, but vaguely similar.

Retro Christmas Decorations
MrsApplepants · 15/09/2021 21:45

I’ve got some vintage style Christmas fairy lights they are fab, from uk Christmas world they are called pickwick fairy lights if that helps to google

lachy · 15/09/2021 22:02

[quote EvilPea]ukchristmasworld.com/collections/fairy-lights[/quote]

My grandparents had those bell lights. I need them ❤

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