"Re-Creative" this Holiday Season With Recycled Holiday Gifts You Can Make With Your Children

Spending Time With The Family Making Recycled Holiday GIfts: Tips From The Topeka-Shawnee Library 

Are you close to the holidays and freaking out because you are just NOT ready?  Chill...help is on the way...think about a trip to your local library to learn about homemade gift ideas that you can make.  The Topeka-Shawnee library might be helpful as a start, with a blog that they posted on vintage inspired crafts you can create with your family. Included in their article is a   book suggestions titled  Re-Creative ,
a book craft source which  features projects that transforms "yesterday's trash into todays stylish and useful objects". What are you waiting for...check out your library and start crafting with the kids!

C. Dianne Zweig is the author of Hot Kitchen & Home Collectibles of the 30s, 40s, 50s and Hot Cottage Collectibles for Vintage Style Homes. She is also the Editor of I Antique Online an actively growing internet based resource community for people who buy, sell or collect antiques, collectibles and art. You can find Dianne’s fabulous retro and vintage kitchen, home and cottage collectibles at The Collinsville Antiques Company of New Hartford, CT, a 22,000 feet antique emporium with an in-house retro café. To read more articles by C. Dianne Zweig click on this link: C. Dianne Zweig’s Blog Kitsch ‘n Stuff Email me at dianne@cdiannezweig.com Visit my website, CDianneZweig.com Dianne is a member of: The American Society of Journalists and Authors The Society of Professional Journalists

Where to Buy Original Vintage and Antique Christmas Holiday and Party Collectibles, Decor and Gifts

Christmas and Holiday Themed Collectibles Featured At Collinsville Antiques Company of New Hartford, CT

The Collinsville Antiques Company in New Hartford, CT is a winter wonderland this time of the year. While the entire store is decked for the holidays, there is one dealer who always is in holiday spirit.  Bruce specializes in holiday themed collectibles year round.

Retro Christmas Collectibles You Will Adore

His current Christmas exhibit is beyond anything I've seen anywhere. He is a designer who travels to China a great deal creating new versions of beloved Christmas and holiday decor and gifts.

Buying Original Christmas Themed Collectibles
Bruce often exhibits the updated newly made items alongside the original antiques and collectibles which inspired the new designs. He also is a major personal collector of antique and vintage holiday collectibles which he buys and sells.

Vintage Christmas Holiday and Party Decorations   

You will find, Christmas wall decor and holiday decorations, Christmas lights, Christmas themed paper party items, notions, kitchenware, barware and more.

Santa Knows If Your Christmas Collectibles Are Really Old

I snapped some photos of his booth to give you an idea of what he carries. This dealer is straight up with his price tags. He lets you know which items are original and which are reproductions. Hey, you cant fool Santa or Bruce or buyers! I encourage you to visit this magical booth.

C. Dianne Zweig is the author of Hot Kitchen & Home Collectibles of the 30s, 40s, 50s and Hot Cottage Collectibles for Vintage Style Homes. She is also the Editor of I Antique Online an actively growing internet based resource community for people who buy, sell or collect antiques, collectibles and art. You can find Dianne’s fabulous retro and vintage kitchen, home and cottage collectibles at The Collinsville Antiques Company of New Hartford, CT, a 22,000 feet antique emporium with an in-house retro café. To read more articles by C. Dianne Zweig click on this link: C. Dianne Zweig’s Blog Kitsch ‘n Stuff Email me at dianne@cdiannezweig.com Visit my website, CDianneZweig.com Dianne is a member of: The American Society of Journalists and Authors The Society of Professional Journalists

Have A Merry Merry Vintage Christmas

The Best Christmas Kitsch For The Holidays
Ho, ho, ho I have been out and about today on a mision to find the best of the best in Christmas and holiday kitsch.  And there sure was a lot of Christmas  STUFF out there. My oh my, did I find plenty of holiday tschotskes.


RETRO CHRISTMAS IDEAS

1. Vintage Santa Punch Bowl Set
2. Santa Christmas Card Holder
3. Vintage Christmas Beverage Glasses
4. Christmas Kitchenwares
5. Santa Boot Ceramics 

6. Plastic Christmas Snowman 
7. Vintage Christmas Fire King Dishes 
8. Retro Christmas Candle Stick Holder
9. Christmas Doily Bowl
10 Christmas Bulb Glitter Magnets

11. Snowman Couple Plate
12. Vintage Christmas Wrapping Paper
13. Vintage Christmas Aprons
14. Vintage Christmas Tablecloth Pillow
15. Retro Christmas Towels
16. Granny Square Christmas Stockings
17. Vintage Christmas Paper Coasters 
18. Vintage Tablecloth Tea Cozy
19. Japan Putz Mica Ornament 
20. Mini Tree Ornaments 
21. Shiny Brite Glass Ornaments
22. Red Satin Bell Ornaments

Ornament photos from http://www.rubylane.com/shop/firesidetreasures

 C. Dianne Zweig is the author of Hot Kitchen & Home Collectibles of the 30s, 40s, 50s and Hot Cottage Collectibles for Vintage Style Homes. She is also the Editor of I Antique Online an actively growing internet based resource community for people who buy, sell or collect antiques, collectibles and art. You can find Dianne’s fabulous retro and vintage kitchen, home and cottage collectibles at The Collinsville Antiques Company of New Hartford, CT, a 22,000 feet antique emporium with an in-house retro café. To read more articles by C. Dianne Zweig click on this link: C. Dianne Zweig’s Blog Kitsch ‘n Stuff Email me at dianne@cdiannezweig.com Visit my website, CDianneZweig.com Dianne is a member of: The American Society of Journalists and Authors The Society of Professional Journalists

Nostalgic 1950s Santa Claus Christmas Card Holder By Lipper And Mann Inc.

Retro 1950s Vintage Santa Claus Christmas Card Holder

 

 

http://www.etsy.com/shop/CarnabyVintageJewels

So cute, a ceramic Christmas card holder with Santa as the mailman.

This fella is in tip top condition and can be found on Etsy,com selling for$48.00 dollars plus shipping. Once a Dimestore item, this Santa has

come a long way and is now a collectible.  

C. Dianne Zweig is the author of Hot Kitchen & Home Collectibles of the 30s, 40s, 50s and Hot Cottage Collectibles for Vintage Style Homes. She is also the Editor of I Antique Online an actively growing internet based resource community for people who buy, sell or collect antiques, collectibles and art. You can find Dianne’s fabulous retro and vintage kitchen, home and cottage collectibles at The Collinsville Antiques Company of New Hartford, CT, a 22,000 feet antique emporium with an in-house retro café. To read more articles by C. Dianne Zweig click on this link: C. Dianne Zweig’s Blog Kitsch ‘n StuffEmail me at dianne@cdiannezweig.com Visit my website, CDianneZweig.com Dianne is a member of: The American Society of Journalists and Authors The Society of Professional Journalists

Mid-Century Christmas: Retro Memories

A Very Merry Retro Christmas 

The Mid-Century look is everywhere, in current clothing styles, home furnishings, kitchenwares and more.  Retailers are re-mixing designs, patterns and palettes from the Postwar period offering buyers a fresh interpretation of the Atomic era. But can stores really capture the nostalgia of the the 1950s.

Baby Boomers Remember1950s Christmas  

Baby boomers have clear memories of what it was like growing up in the 1950s. Thanks to sites like Pinterest,com you can capture those times in images from old magazine advertisements, vintage photographs, newspaper clippings,  store catalogs and books.


Pinterest.com Saving Christmas Memories

I poked around Pinterest.com this morning and put terms such as "Vintage Christmas", "Retro Christmas", "Christmas ads" in the search bar. Thanks to the wonderful gals and guys on Pinterest, I put together this post with shared images.

Enjoy a journey back to the 1950s during Christmas.

I wondered what a Mid Century Christmas might look like?  So I did some homework to offer you a glimpse of the styles and pictures that were indeed part of the holidays in the 1950s. 


We colored pictures in Christmas coloring books, now our kids draw on iPads and other devices.

Women were housewives who stayed home and served coffee and home baked cake and cookies in their kitchens.(I'm not sure if that is a good or bad memory). 


It was a very different time before the digital age, children played with Tinker toys and Tiny Tears dolls.

Families watched T.V. together as a family. Now we text at each other in the living room. Remember Ed Sullivan on Sunday evenings? 

Ed brought us new talent, now Simon Cowell is our source for an evening of 
song and dance.

Leave It To Beaver, Lassie and of course
I Love Lucy were our favorites.      

Homemakers sent out beautiful Christmas and holiday cards. Now families send out fancy animated  E Cards.  

Hallmark and Christmas went together
like candy canes and eggnog.The graphics were colorful, bold and saturated in primary colors of red, blue, yellow.   

Children picked out toys from mail order catalogs that they wanted for the holidays. Now our kids travel to The Apple Store for the latest tech device. 

The techy among us played with chemistry sets, Lionel trains and Erector sets. Our generation predated Legos, but we were builders of Lincoln Logs and blocks.     

The 1950s were a magical time, when children were children and they  believed in an enchanted holiday. 

I remember visiting sick children in the hospital  with my childhood friend Sharon. We made  a giant homemade Christmas holiday book. Remember trying to draw a Christmas tree. Trying to get the branches even?
I adored going to Woolworths with my mom or grandmother. I liked to look at the parakeets and bring home a cute pet toy for my poodle or more potholder loops. We usually stayed for lunch.   



Going to Radio City Music Hall for the annual Christmas show was a special treat. Dad worked in the city and I spent many holidays going to shows and iconic department stores. 
all


I would love to hear what you remember about your 1950s Christmas holidays.  Please share your memories or comments.


C. Dianne Zweig is the author of Hot Kitchen &ome Collectibles of the 30s, 40s, 50s and Hot Cottage Collectibles for Vintage Style Homes. She is also the Editor of I Antique Online an actively growing internet based resource community for people who buy, sell or collect antiques, collectibles and art. You can find Dianne’s fabulous retro and vintage kitchen, home and cottage collectibles at The Collinsville Antiques Company of New Hartford, CT, a 22,000 feet antique emporium with an in-house retro café. To read more articles by C. Dianne Zweig click on this link: C. Dianne Zweig’s Blog Kitsch ‘n Stuff Email me at dianne@cdiannezweig.com Visit my website, CDianneZweig.com Dianne is a member of: The American Society of Journalists and Authors The Society of Professional Journalists

What To Do With Antique And Vintage Christmas Cookie Cutters

Creative Christmas Holiday Ideas With Vintage Cookie Cutters

Tis Christmas eve and by now any Thrifty Nifty Retro 1950s inspired homemaker has already baked her holiday cookies . In fact, plenty of hip guys have also finished their batch of sugar cookies by now.

And let's agree, there is nothing like using the old style cookie cutters. Now that you have finished baking your cookies, here are some ideas of what do do with vintage cookie cutters.

What To Do With Vintage Holiday Cookie Cutters

1. Make holiday garland out of cookie cutters.
2. Altered vintage cookie cutter ornaments
3. Cookie cutter wreath.
4. Cookie cutter tree.
5. Cookie cutter cakes.
6. Cookie cutter photo ornaments.
7, Shabby Chic cookie cutters.
8. Jeweled cookie cutter ornaments.
9. Snow Day ornaments.
10. Colorful glitter ornaments.
11. Cookie cutter tree garland.
12, Tree ornaments with colorful cookie cutters.

C. Dianne Zweig is the author of Hot Kitchen & Home Collectibles of the 30s, 40s, 50s and Hot Cottage Collectibles for Vintage Style Homes. She is also the Editor of I Antique Online an actively growing internet based resource community for people who buy, sell or collect antiques, collectibles and art. You can find Dianne’s fabulous retro and vintage kitchen, home and cottage collectibles at The Collinsville Antiques Company of New Hartford, CT, a 22,000 feet antique emporium with an in-house retro café.To read more articles by C. Dianne Zweig click on this link: C. Dianne Zweig’s Blog Kitsch ‘n Stuff Email me at dianne@cdiannezweig.comVisit my website, CDianneZweig.comDianne is a member of:The American Society of Journalists and AuthorsThe Society of Professional Journalists

Hip Christmas Holiday Serving Ideas For Retro Moms

Bring Some Retro Holiday Pizazz Into Your Home This Christmas

This year bring some RETRO Holiday pizazz into your home by setting your holiday table with colorful hip vintage kitchen-wares from the 1940s,1950s and 1960s.. Re-set your holiday clock and take the express bus right back to your favorite kitschy eras.

Serving Holiday Snacks In A Vintage Lazy Susan

How much fun will your holiday snacks look displayed in a ceramic dish Lazy Susan ?
Or what about picking out some quirky polka dotted salt and peppers shaker roosters to add to your holiday table? Forget about the crystal, the silver, the red and green.......mix it up...get retro...have fun.

Think RETRO When Out Shopping

It's easier than you think to decorate for the holidays. Take a visit to your nearby Antique Mall or Antique Group shop and think RETRO. As you walk up and down the aisles, look for colorful bowls, vases, serving pieces, trays, accessories etc. that seem to work well together.

Organize your selections in some way. Objects with a pattern such as polka dots. Or perhaps you want a black, white and red theme. You may decide to keep the traditional holiday colors of red and green but this year kick up your "green" a notch with a retro green color such as chartreuse.

Create Your Own Holiday Color Palette

And don't be afraid to create your own holiday color scheme. Who said you can't use a wonderful 1960's orange vase with green snack dishes. You can...you can invent your own interpretation of a Retro Christmas or Chanukah. I'd love to see pictures of your Retro holiday. Send them to me at Dianne@cdiannezweig.com.

C. Dianne Zweig is the author of Hot Kitchen & Home Collectibles of the 30s, 40s, 50s and Hot Cottage Collectibles for Vintage Style Homes. She is also the Editor of I Antique Online an actively growing internet based resource community for people who buy, sell or collect antiques, collectibles and art. You can find Dianne’s fabulous retro and vintage kitchen, home and cottage collectibles at The Collinsville Antiques Company of New Hartford, CT, a 22,000 feet antique emporium with an in-house retro café.To read more articles by C. Dianne Zweig click on this link: C. Dianne Zweig’s Blog Kitsch ‘n Stuff Email me at dianne@cdiannezweig.comVisit my website, CDianneZweig.comDianne is a member of:The American Society of Journalists and AuthorsThe Society of Professional Journalists

Vintage Punch Bowls: Retro Chhristmas Holiday Entertaining

Cheers With Vintage Punch Bowls And Eggnog Sets
Tis the season for buying vintage punch bowls and or Eggnog sets for the Christmas and New Years Holidays. As you begin your search for these popular holiday collectibles you will find a variety of options including colorful and and whimsical Holt Howard designs to simple and elegant pressed glass to high end Antique Sterling silver, Limoges , Crystal etc. At this time of the year it seems that all the punch bowls come out of hiding and are displayed in your favorite antique shops and online stores and auctions.

Punch Bowls For Serving Lots Of Holiday Guests At One Time

Punch bowls are popular holiday items because you can serve a lot of guests at one time. Punch bowls are ideal for serving holiday drinks or Eggnog . Some people use a large tray and set the bowl and cups on the tray, while others like to have the cups hung around the large Punch bowl with hooks. When not in use, many folks place colorful vintage holiday ornaments in the Punch Bowl.

Vintage Punch Bowls Come In Many Styles

As I reviewed this topic, I learned that Punch Bowl are made out of every material. You will discover both everyday Punch Bowls and high end collectibles.



Buying Vintage And Antique Punch Bowls

There are styles for every budget including: Sterling Silver, Silver Plated, Stainless, Glass and Silver, Porcelain, Limoges, Delft, Stoneware, Depression Glass, Carnival Glass, Milk Glass, Fenton, Decorative Glass etc. Some Punch bowls are very simple and others very ornate with a pedestal design to elevate the bowl or a platform or under plate.

Collecting Vintage Punch Bowls

Every manufacturer who made kitchen, dining and entertaining products had their own pattern, style, signature pieces. Many of the common vintage Punch bowl or Eggnog sets ($25.00-150.00) you find today in antique shops and at online auction or websites were once Dimestore or mail order catalog products. Often punch bowls and Eggnog sets were gift items for Stamp Redemption programs, premiums or other hostess type gifts for in house parties.

Brilliant Cut Glass Vintage Punch Bowl

Beginning in The Brilliant Period of Cut Glass 1850's - early 1900's and beyond Punch bowls were common wedding gifts.

Elegant Antique Punch Bowls Found In High End Shops

The more valuable Punch bowls and sets are generally found in shops that specialize in silver, crystal and porcelain or better glassware.

When buying vintage Punch bowls sets, look for sets which are complete and may include the punchbowl, matching cups, cup hooks and ladle. carefully examine the set. Are all the cups original to the set? When examining glass or ceramics, look for chips, cracks and imperfections.

An excellent article about how to identify Antique Punch Bowls can be found at http://www.ehow.com/how_6021197_identify-antique-punch-bowl.html



Read More About The History Of Punch Bowls

http://antiques-art-collectibles.com/collectible/punch_bowl.html

http://www.oldandsold.com/articles16/antique-china-10.shtml

Read More About Identifying Punch Bowls

http://www.ehow.com/how_6021197_identify-antique-punch-bowl.html

Carnival Glass Punch Bowls

http://www.carnivalheaven.com/carnivalglass104/id84.htm

http://www.antique-marks.com/carnival-glass.html

About The Brilliant Period

http://antiques.about.com/od/cutglass/a/aa101900.htm

http://antiqueshoppefl.com/archives/rreed/cutglass.htm

Depression Glass Punch Bowls
http://ezinearticles.com/?Depression-Glass---Antique-Glass-Thats-Living-History&id=987238

http://antiques.about.com/cs/depressionglass/a/aa083099.htm

Read About Punch

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Punch_%28drink%29

http://www.2020site.org/drinks/punch.html

About Eggnog
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eggnog



C. Dianne Zweig is the author of Hot Kitchen & Home Collectibles of the 30s, 40s, 50s and Hot Cottage Collectibles for Vintage Style Homes. She is also the Editor of I Antique Online an actively growing internet based resource community for people who buy, sell or collect antiques, collectibles and art. You can find Dianne’s fabulous retro and vintage kitchen, home and cottage collectibles at The Collinsville Antiques Company of New Hartford, CT, a 22,000 feet antique emporium with an in-house retro café.To read more articles by C. Dianne Zweig click on this link: C. Dianne Zweig’s Blog Kitsch ‘n Stuff Email me at dianne@cdiannezweig.comVisit my website, CDianneZweig.comDianne is a member of:The American Society of Journalists and AuthorsThe Authors Guild, Inc.

Where To Buy Nostalgic Vintage Christmas Wrapping Paper

Holiday Kitsch Klatch on Etsy Is Your Source For Vintage Christmas Wrapping Paper

For a real nostalgic Christmas, how about wrapping your gifts in vintage wrapping paper from the 1940s, 1950s and 1960s. Or you can up-cycle your favorite vintage papers making them into lovely holiday decorations and table accessories.

While there are many shops online that carry Retro wrapping paper from time to time, I fell in love with an Etsy shop called Holiday Kitsch Klatsch, a shop with a very large inventory of Christmas themed wrapping papers and a great source for vintage paper goods throughout the year.

This shop specializes in all the holidays (Halloween, Easter, Valentines Day, etc.) as well as special occasions (Bridal, Shower, Birthday etc.). At this time you will find a wonderful selection of vintage Christmas gift wrapping paper in very good condition as well as other holiday decor. The colors are vibrant and the papers appear to be unused.

Christmas Themes

While their inventory is always changing, common Christmas themes include Christmas bells, snow scenes, Pointsettas, candles, Santas, Candy Canes, Ornaments, Reindeer, holiday scenes and more.

Retro Ideas Using Vintage Christmas Wrapping Paper From The Kitschy Collector

Laminate Vintage Christmas Paper and Make Placemats

Use Vintage Christmas Wrapping Paper in Retro Mixed Media Collages


Laminate Vintage Wrapping paper and cut into 3 inch squares for beverage coasters.

Cover a piece of foam board with vintage Christmas wrapping paper and use as a bulletin board.

Cut vintage wrapping paper into strips and weave or make into a decorative chain.

Besides Wrapping Gifts With Vintage Christmas Wrapping Paper Here Are Other Ideas

1. Make Cute Christmas Tree Ornaments

2. Recycle Cards And Wrapping Paper

3. Woven Heart Baskets

4. Decoupage Picture Frame

5. Star Paper Topiary

Read More About Vintage Christmas Wrapping Paper at : http://1950satomicranchhouse.blogspot.com/2009/12/vintage-1950s-christmas-wrapping-paper.html

C. Dianne Zweig is the author of Hot Kitchen & Home Collectibles of the 30s, 40s, 50s and Hot Cottage Collectibles for Vintage Style Homes. She is also the Editor of Iantiqueonline.com an actively growing internet based resource community for people who buy, sell or collect antiques, collectibles and art. You can find Dianne’s fabulous retro and vintage kitchen, home and cottage collectibles at The Collinsville Antiques Company of New Hartford, CT, a 22,000 feet antique emporium with an in-house retro café.To read more articles by C. Dianne Zweig click on this link: C. Dianne Zweig’s Blog Kitsch ‘n Stuff Email me at dianne@cdiannezweig.comVisit my website, CDianneZweig.comDianne is a member of:The American Society of Journalists and AuthorsThe Authors Guild, Inc.