Most valuable and rare Christmas decorations and ornaments worth up to £500
When you get that dusty box full of baubles and other festive trinkets out of the loft over the next few weeks, it’s worth having a good rummage through your collection.
It turns out there are old Christmas ornaments that are worth a pretty penny.
Whether they’re decorations handed down through the generations, or you’ve just been sentimentally holding on to them for decades, you could potentially get a windfall to give you a very Merry Christmas from selling them online.
“A box of mixed vintage Christmas decorations from the mid century is like gold dust to a dealer or collector,” said Rachel Toy, a 20th-century vintage expert, who sells collectables including Christmas decorations on her site Rachel’s Vintage Retro.
“If you have a box full, you can probably sell it for a good price without even having to sort it out – however if you want to make sure you get the maximum price, sell things individually.
“The most accessible will probably be those from the 1940s, 50s, 60s and 70s.”
Rachel said that the best finds are anything that was classic for the era it was made.
Brightly coloured ornaments with the kitsch factor are much sought after – and they need to be in good condition.
She recommends selling through ebay, Facebook Marketplace or Vinted, or if you have a big collection, it could also be worth selling through Etsy.
Some older antique ornaments can be worth thousands.
For example, a German Kugel bauble from the 19th-century sold for a whopping £14,000 and there are rare hand-painted Father Christmas figurines called Belsnickles that can go for up to £3000.
Below, she has outlined the most valuable decorations you could have knocking around in your attic to look out for.
The most valuable Christmas decorations you could have in your collection
1950s Aluminium Christmas tree
Rachel said this particular Christmas tree decoration sells for between £250 and £500, depending on the condition.
“These came out in the 1950s after the austerity of the Second World War when materials were no longer reserved for the war effort,” she explained.
“The use of aluminium and the shape of the trees nods to the trend for all things space age that was starting to emerge.
“You could also buy a rotating colour wheel to enable the tree to light up. These are worth about £50-£100 – and boxed is even better.”
Mercury Glass baubles
These decorations – known as kugel baubles after the German word for ‘ball’ are thought to be the first ever glass Christmas decorations, made from silvered mercury glass and topped with a brass hanger.
They were made in the mid-late 1800s in Germany.
“Once Woolworths started to stock them, they became popular in the US and UK. Not many survived as they were so delicate, so are very desirable to find now, especially in their original boxes,” explained Rachel.
“They came in a variety of shapes in gorgeous colours and hand painted designs.
“Prices for a set of good boxed round baubles average about £25-£50 depending on condition. Concave and teardrop shaped ones are even more sought after and can command higher prices.”
Old fairly lights
It probably never occurred to you that your fairy lights might be worth anything, but Rachel says that those from the early to mid century can be valuable.
“Names to look out for are Pifco, Noma, and original Woolworths ones,” she said.
“A set of rare Pifco Cinderella coached shaped shades is going for £225 on eBay at the moment.
“Most sets will be in the range of £25 – £50 and ones made in the 40s and 50s with shades made from bakelite and milk glass are more unusual, so they will be worth more.”
Flocked Christmas ornaments
“Flocked ornaments – usually in the shape of a santa, or a reindeer – were popular back in the day,” said Rachel.
The larger stand-alone ornaments can go for £25 upwards, while higher quality ones made in Japan are very sought after and collectable – prices for these can go into the £100s, she added.
Paper honeycomb decorations
These decorations made from tissue paper by Paul Jones Garlands, Beistle, Cascade and Peter Pan are becoming increasingly valuable, Rachel said.
“As they are so delicate, it’s hard to find ones in perfect condition,” she added.
“They usually came in the shape of a bell, angel’s skirt, tree, ball, Santa’s hat or as a garland. Expect prices of £20 upwards.”
Panaura decorations
Dating back to 1968, Rachel said that these acrylic decorations were only available for a few years and so are now very rare.
“They were handmade by disabled workers at the company Remploy and came in three acrylic designs; starburst, circle and diamond, with the latter being most sought after.
“Single decorations can sell for £25 nowadays, and sets go into the £100s.”
Diorama decorations
Rachel said these can sell for at least £20 each, but up to £200 for top quality editions.
“Jewel Brite was the maker of these and I always find that if I get these small plastic baubles with a cut-out front and Christmas scene inside, they sell immediately – and for a good price,” she said.
“There were also tabletop decorations and light-up ornaments. Ones made in Japan are worth more and a set of 1950s glass ones is up for sale at nearly £200 on eBay.”
Rare Christmas tree toppers
“In the 1800s, a figure of the Baby Jesus would adorn the top of a tree. However, it began to change to a Christmas Angel, and later, a fairy that told the shepherds about Jesus, or a star like the Wise Men saw.
“Many people made their own in the 50s, 60s and 70s from a doll and bit of net curtain and these are quite popular to collect – at about £15 – £20 each,” explained Rachel.
“Again, Japanese made ones with kitsch faces are worth more, as well as older doll ones made from hard plastic.”
In the 1990s, some appeared with porcelain faces and hands and these are collectable too – the most expensive Rachel has seen is one going for £70 on eBay.
What should I keep that could become valuable in future?
Rachel said that Christmas decorations from the Nineties are becoming more sought after.
“Searches for ‘90s Christmas decorations’ are increasing on my website year on year,” she said.
“Think wooden decorations, tree fairies with porcelain faces, colour-themed baubles and tinsel. Large outdoor lights from the time too could be popular as we didn’t really do outdoor lighting in the UK until the 1990s.”
How to store Christmas ornaments
“Store in a dry, cool place and wrap in tissue paper or bubble wrap. Don’t store anywhere damp or where rodents can get in. Pack carefully and don’t stack boxes on top of them,” said Rachel.