MENTION THE WORD “vintage” and I’m all in. Perhaps it’s my age. But probably not. I’ve always preferred the stuff of yesteryear to the stuff of today. For that reason, I am drawn to shops, garage sales and other places selling antiques, primitives, collectibles, second hand and vintage.
This time of year, especially, “old” is out there, including in Cannon City, where Debbie Glende, aka The Crabby Wren, opens her outbuildings for occasional seasonal sales. Her holiday market, “Vintage Christmas in the Barn,” is no longer open. But it got me thinking about how much I appreciate the goods of yesteryear. And how this old stuff can make an ideal Christmas gift. It’s even a bit trendy now, especially with the younger generation, to shop thrift stores. Repurpose, reuse and keep stuff out of the landfill.
I’ve been doing this for a long time. Buying used, using goods passed down to me from family, even gifting second hand. And, yes, I save and reuse gift bags, tissue paper, ribbons and bows and recycle greeting cards as gift tags, all to the ridicule of my siblings. Let ’em laugh. Mom would be proud that I’m following her thrifty example.
If you were to step into my home, you would find lots of vintage. I have collections of vintage glassware, which I use daily; vintage tablecloths, pulled out whenever I have dinner guests; and vintage art (including paint-by-number), displayed throughout my home.
And then there’s my vinyl collection including a recording of a young Michael Jackson of The Jackson 5 singing “I’ll Be There” in a high-pitched voice. I got that record as a Christmas gift in 1970. Likewise my vinyl of heartthrob David Cassidy making his case in “I Think I Love You” with The Partridge Family. I can still belt out the words as that love song blasts on a garage sale turntable. And not to be forgotten, Minnesota native Bob Dylan with his ballad “Knockin’ on Heaven’s Door.” That’s especially timely with the Christmas release of “A Complete Unknown,” a movie about Dylan. Yes, I like vintage.
My dining room table, of unknown vintage, came from George and Clara’s home, purchased at George’s farm auction after he passed. The couple lived a few sections over from my childhood home near Vesta. For the past four decades plus, my family has gathered around that large oval wooden table with the graceful, curved legs. We’ve shared thousands of meals, talked and laughed and, yes, even cried. Kids did their homework there. Grandkids drew. Tabletop dings mark memories.
Perhaps that’s the appeal of vintage. The memories. Vintage connects me to my past or to loved ones. When I drink from textured amber glasses, I think of my mom. The glasses were purchased at Marquardt’s Hardware Store in Vesta as a Mother’s Day gift for her sometime in the 1960s. They are a tactile reminder of Mom, who died in January 2022.
The handcrafted pinecone Christmas tree, which my beloved Aunt Rachel made for my mom in the 1960s, now hangs in my home each December. In the dining room, within view when dining at George and Clara’s table.
Atop a vintage chest of drawers (one my dad and his older brother used as children) in my living room, six plastic angels gather as part of the Shiny Brite Christmas Angel Band. My brother Doug and I bought the tiny figurines for Mom at a hardware store in Echo. A Christmas gift sometime in the 1960s.
Vintage. Whether viewed inside or outside a barn in Cannon City, in my home or in a local shop, these goods of bygone days spark memories, ignite joy, remind me of the passage of time. Will my adult children or grandkids care about any of this after I’m gone? Maybe. But I expect they will wonder why Mom/Grandma kept all this old stuff. Perhaps they will choose a piece or two to keep as a memory of me. And then they will box up the rest, wondering who the heck David Cassidy is and why I needed all those vintage tablecloths and drinking glasses and what’s with this pinecone Christmas tree?
© Copyright 2024 Audrey Kletscher Helbling
Minnesota Prairie Roots 
I love this post, and can really understand how you feel, I too, am drawn to vintage over and over. I often find something of interest to gift or to keep and wonder about its story.
If only we knew all of the stories… I expected you might appreciate vintage as much as me. We are kindred spirits in many ways.
that we are, kind of old souls at heart
I love all your vintage and yes They will wonder who all those old singers are that we loved!!!I hope at least one of our children will save some “stuff” but if not its OK. ha ha ha. Thanks for the memories!’ ( who said it??) ha ha We know they wont. 🙂
Whatever our kids keep, or don’t, it’s their choice. You’re right on that. 🙂
I too recycle bags, tissue paper, ribbons, etc. Sometimes I cut up cards keeping parts for next year’s gift tags. I also like to keep the decorations from wreaths as I usually purchase one from a local fundraiser. I have a little stash that comes in handy when decorating. I enjoyed your photos and reading about where those items came from. The paint by number winter scene is especially nice.
Yes, a kindred spirit. My mom even saved and reused gift wrap. I don’t do that, but the rest, yes, and I’m glad you do, too. It makes no sense to me to toss perfecting good ribbons, bows, gift bags, tissue paper, etc.
The paint-by-number has a companion painting done by my great grandma. One of my sisters has that. I didn’t want the pair split, but…
Oh, my goodness. Every photo poked me joyfully in the heart a little bit. Have a wonderful holiday season, Audrey.
I’m happy to bring you a joyful heart this morning, Beth. Have a wonderful Christmas with your dear family!
As you know I identify with this post and agree with you on reusing and recycling. Beside, shopping thrift stores is a delight and I enjoy it so much. That said, I’ve only been to The Crabby Wren once…i never get notice as to when she opens. Does she have an email list?
Have we talked about using past Christmas cards as gift tags? My mom did that and I have always used her great idea. They really make a package pretty! So much better than gift tags. 😉
I only know about The Crabby Wren’s sales either via a corner street sign or an ad in the paper. She has a Facebook page, but I’m not on FB.
And, yes, we have discussed reusing cards as gift tags. 🙂
Loving your post 🙂 I heart the few pieces of vintage I have from the buffet to the 100+ year old dresser, crystal, linens, the Christmas Tree elves handed down to me that are 50+ years old and boy are they cheeky elves – ha!, art, etc. I just love decorating with old and new and everything in between. My M-I-L believes in the power of spray paint – like the shape of a vase but not the color spray paint it. Thanks for sharing!
Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year! (((((((loveandhugs)))))))))
Thanks for sharing about how much you love vintage. I would love to see those elves.
Thank you so much for this.
You’re welcome, Diane.
I really enjoy the vintage and old handmade items in my home as well. I was just telling my daughter yesterday about a set of dolls that my mom has. Her grandma made them out of wire hangers and dried apples. My daughter told me that she would burry me with them because there no way she’s keeping creepy old fruit dolls.
I love your daughter’s sense of humor.
“I save and reuse gift bags, tissue paper, ribbons and bows and recycle greeting cards as gift tags, all to the ridicule of my siblings. Let ’em laugh.” I am the same, part of it is my love of beautifully crafted paper, and part of it is that I hate to fill already overflowing trash heaps. My family humorously ridicules me as well, all I have to offer in return is a smile and a heart glad to collect all they toss aside. May you have a very Merry Season rewrapping vintage gifts in all the beautiful paper you have saved. ❤️🎄
We are kindred spirits, Rose.