The holidays are over and it’s time to put the ornaments back in their designated boxes in the attic. But don’t do that just yet! Take a second to look at some of your Christmas decorations first. You might find some really valuable vintage items that could make you rich.
German Kugel Ornaments
Do you know those small, blown-glass ornaments we used to decorate the Christmas tree when we were kids? Some of us still use them while others keep them stored somewhere safe. Well, those ornaments shaped as berry clusters, apples, pears, and pinecones are called “kugels and can bring you a pretty nice amount of money.
They are made in Germany from as early as 1840 to the early 1900s, lined with silver and treated with metal to provide vibrant colors such as red, blue, purple, silver, and gold. If you’ve got amethyst or purple ornaments, you’ve hit the jackpot, since these are the rarest!
Worth: Originals sell for $50-300 while rarer ones go for $1,000 or more.
Ceramic Christmas trees
Ceramic trees may not seem like such a rarity but those produced in the 1940s or dating from the 1970s and 1980s have become quite popular lately. This means they are on-demand and their value increased significantly.
Sometimes, there’s a difference between the time they were made and the actual mold date, due to which the items’ pricing may be trickier. Whatever the period, they are still worth something!
Worth: Depending on their size, color, and condition, the value of ceramic trees ranges between $35-$250.
Bubble lights
What is so special about bubble lights to make someone spend money on them? Many people may ask themselves this question and come up with no particular answer.
Well, let us shed some light on the matter. Not all bubble lights have been created equal. This means an ordinary set will not make you rich but branded holiday lights sets produced in 1926 by the National Outfit Manufacturers Association can certainly boost your income. Not to mention the 1946 bubble light variation which became an instant craze.
Worth: Around $80, kept in their original box and working properly
Putz houses
Cardboard Christmas houses placed by people under the Christmas trees are quite popular among vintage enthusiasts. Such items were usually made in Japan and sold in U.S. stores between 1920 – 1960, although they were based on a German tradition. Quite a globetrotting tradition, isn’t it?
If you’ve got such an item among your Christmas ornaments, do not hesitate to cash in on it! Depending on its size, condition, and complexity, you could get a nice price for your putz house.
Worth: $10 for single houses; $25 and more for pictured houses
Hard plastic candy containers
Another vintage Christmas decoration in your house, that can bring you some money, is the hard-plastic candy container.
These items were first made by the School House Candy Co., also known as ROSBRO Plastics, in Pawtucket, Rhode Island, in the 50s. For ten years, millions were sold across the United States and used for storage purposes once the candy inside was gone. You surely have one hidden in your attic!
Worth: $5-$35
Gurley candles
The Gurley candles became quite popular in the late 1930s and their popularity continued and even increased throughout the years. They were initially designed by candle maker Franklin Gurley and made using excess paraffin produced in the oil refinery process.
They were sold as singles or in sets and marketed as items for display rather than burning candles.
Worth: $5-$10 or more
Vintage sleds
Playing and having fun in the snow is not complete without riding a sled. The first sled was patented by Samuel L. Allen, in Cinnaminson, New Jersey, in 1889, under the name of “The Flexible Flyer”. Flexible referred to the fact that you could steer the sled and have greater control over it compared to the traditional gooseneck sleds and also to the seated or lying position of riders on the sled.
It wasn’t until the item was marketed in toy stores that it began gaining popularity among buyers. If you’re the proud owner of a vintage sled, consider yourself lucky!
Worth: $35 to several hundred dollars
Free-blown Italian glass ornaments
Small items can bring you lots of money. Take free-blown Italian glass ornaments, for example.
Manufactured since 1947 by The Soffieria De Carlini company, the ornaments received an upgrade when a talented sculptor started turning them into glass figurines. They were then hand-painted one by one and decorated with all sorts of fancy glitters.
Worth: $20-$50, based on type and condition
