The Christmas stuff is finally hitting the thrift stores shelves, emerging from whatever deep, dark hole where it's stored the other 10 months of the year. And despite my love/hate relationship with said retailers, at this time of the year, I stop frequently, hoping to find some vintage magic.
Of course with all those ticky-tacky resin figures, it's not easy to discover treasures. Fortunately, there's St. Matthew's, which has lots of great and cheap holiday vintage. In addition to the aluminum tree (now in my Etsy shop), I found this plastic church that plays "Silent Night."
It also lights up, or I should say it did light up -- briefly -- after I replaced the batteries. And then, it went dark again, so I changed the light bulb. Still no luck. Considering it's probably 50 years old, maybe it's just done working. (Being of the same vintage myself, there are days when I can relate.) Still, I might try one of those little lights you put in the village houses and see what happens.
More great stuff (not all from St. Matthew's): Three boxes of glitter ornaments in perfectly aged shades of gold, silver and white (snow).
A classic cardboard manger, which actually has several more pieces but I was too lazy to get them out. You can see them all in my Etsy shop.
Over in the Santa Dept., there have been several finds, including replicas of Mr. and Mrs. Claus that climb candles
and shake salt and pepper.
Santa boots, big and small.
A folding box for Christmas cards and a Mid-Century linen tea towel.
And spun heads too!
Here are some closeups: Two snowmen peaking out from a jungle of corsage foliage.
And a sweet angel holding a tiny bouquet of pipe cleaner flowers.
But my absolute favorite find is this Santa on a train planter. I think I'm keeping it for myself.
Yep, definitely keeping it.
Of course I hope that there's more good stuff. There are still plenty of shopping days before Santa arrives.
Lucky find with that tree (and of course those spun heads). I have not found anything thrilling in the vintage xmas dept lately!
Posted by: laurie magpie ethel | November 21, 2011 at 12:07 PM
that church was made in 1973. i have the same one the my light dont work on it as well. it might need a new bulb or the wiring is bad.
Posted by: Eugene Florczyk | February 23, 2012 at 01:35 PM