This year I used what I already had for holiday decorating. Rather than spending lots of money on new decorations, I dug through my stash to see what I could incorporate into my decor for the holidays. And I realized I’ve never used vintage silver in my Christmas decor. Let me show you how easy it is to decorate with vintage silver.
I like to collect a variety of vintage things. Rather than one massive collection, I have a little of this and that. Most of my vintage silver is not expensive. Instead, it’s silver plate rather than sterling. Silverplate offers the look of sterling, without the expense.
Many people avoid collecting silver pieces because of the fear of having to polish regularly. I don’t mind a little bit of tarnish when using pieces for decoration.
Vintage silver is great to decorate with. I love how it reflects light and I often use pieces in the winter when I have plenty of twinkle lights hanging around. Even the tarnished pieces reflect the simple glow of your lights.
Many of us have special silver pieces that were passed down to us by our loved ones. Using these family heirlooms can remind us of the family members who are no longer with us. When we pull these vintage silver pieces out and use them, it’s a wonderful reminder of our loved ones. This is also a great way to share stories and family history with our children and grandchildren.
Not everyone has a stash of family heirlooms. I got most of my vintage silver collection from yard sales and thrift stores. Because silverplate is not as valuable as sterling silver, it’s a lot easier to find at a reasonable price.
Follow these steps to decorate with vintage silver, whether family heirlooms or thrift store finds.
How to Use Vintage Silver to Decorate With…
Gather the Goods
Dig around in your storage areas, drawers, attic, and garage to find your hidden silver supplies. As I was digging about I found tea sets, sugar bowls, creamers, serving containers, trays, and silverware.
Gather everything in one place so you know what you have available. If you don’t have a lot of your own vintage silver, you might ask family members if they have any pieces to share. Or keep an eye out when you go thrifting.
Should you shine up your silver before decorating? That’s strictly up to you. If you like your silver to glisten, then take some time to clean and polish it. If you don’t mind a tarnished look, then use it as is.
If you want to clean up your silver to make it shine, consider these suggestions from Heritage Auction… How to Clean and Polish Antique Silver Without Reducing Value.
Combine With Your Regular Decorations
As you create vignettes, pull from your regular stash of supplies first before you consider buying something new to decorate with. Here are some decorations you can combine with your vintage silver…
- Evergreen branches, real or faux
- Pinecones, branches, seedpods, and other outdoor finds
- Ornaments, either vintage or new
- Textiles such as plaid napkins or knit scarves
- Rustic decorations such as wooden stars
- Flower stems, dried or faux
- Fresh flowers
- Twinkly lights
- Vintage cookie cutters
- Candy canes or other seasonal treats
Read: Create a Glittered Jingle Bell Garland
How to Use Your Vintage Silver
There are plenty of ways to use vintage silver in your holiday decorating. Here are just a few ideas to decorate using your silver treasures…
- Tie a ribbon on the handle and hang it from your Christmas tree.
- Fill a silver bowl with a faux or bottle brush tree.
- Tuck your vintage containers into a garland or tie them on with ribbon.
- Decorate a wreath with small silver items such as silverware and sugar bowls.
- Corral decorations on a silver tray.
- Fill with fresh flowers for your dining table or tuck into nooks and crannies.
- Put special pieces under a glass cloche.
- Tuck a small candle inside a sugar bowl or creamer.
- Display a special Christmas card in the tines of a fork.
- Use your containers in unusual ways, such as filling a champagne bucket with kitchen utensils.
- Plant a large bowl with paperwhites or amaryllis.
Make the Most of What You Have
What if you don’t have a lot of vintage silver pieces? Then try these ideas…
- Mix and match with other vintage items such as transferware, ironstone, or thermoses.
- Decorate just one area with your vintage silver rather than spreading it all around.
- Use your silver pieces for serving food not just to decorate with. For example, set your table with the silverware, serve coffee, sugar, and cream from your coffee set, serve your holiday cookies on a silver tray.
- Incorporate other metal pieces along with the silver such as pewter and hammered aluminum.
Keep it Out After the Holidays are Over
One of the great things about vintage silver is its timeless quality. When it’s time to put away the ornaments and the stockings, you can keep the silver out to brighten your home during the winter months. Combine it with natural items like your faux evergreens, frosty pinecones, and twinkle lights. And now you have simple winter decor for January.
If you’re looking for a great way to decorate your home for the Holidays without spending money or going out to shop, then consider incorporating vintage silver into your decor. Even just a few pieces of vintage silver will make your home sparkle for the holidays. And once you use these vintage pieces, you’ll want to add more to your collection.
