The most wonderful time of the year deserves a little atomic sparkle! From bubble lights to tinsel trees, mid century holiday décor brings back the playful glamour of the 1950s and ’60s—an era when Christmas was all about color, creativity, and coziness.
This season, it’s easy to bring that same retro spirit home with mid century modern Christmas ornaments that play with cheerful palettes, clean lines, and seasonal nostalgia. Whether you love the glossy shine of glass, the warmth of ceramic, the feel of metal and pewter, or the reflection of acrylic, each ornament perfectly captures the mid-mod aesthetic.
What Makes an Ornament Mid Century Modern?
Mid century design is known for its optimism, and that energy shines through in holiday decor. Think atomic starbursts, boomerang shapes, and pastel-meets-metallic color palettes. It’s a look that feels both vintage and fresh, and festive without being overdone.
The secret? Balance.
Pair playful quotes and bold colors with sleek shapes and classic materials. The result is a Christmas tree that feels nostalgic but still fits perfectly in a modern home.
Mid Century Modern Christmas Ornaments: 5 Materials, 18 Design Ideas
1. Ceramic Mid-Mod Ornaments
Ceramic ornaments bring the charm of vintage holiday decor to life while also feeling sturdy and substantial in your hand. They’re perfect for creating a cheerful, nostalgic look.
A few of our favorites include:
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The Mid Century Modern Couple Snow Globe Ornament: A sweet snapshot of vintage romance.
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The Pink Christmas Tree Ornament: Adorable in its pastel perfection and 1950s flair.
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The Book Lovers Ornament: Ideal for your favorite reader or atomic cat fan.
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The Holly Jolly Holiday Ornament: Olive green and bursting with starburst energy.
🎄Decorating Tip: Mix ceramic ornaments with natural textures, like wood-bead garlands or greenery, for an extra cozy vibe.
2. Glass Mid-Mod Ornaments
Glass ornaments are light, shiny, and full of personality, just like the ones that hung on 1950s Christmas trees. Plus, Christmas tree lights reflect beautifully against their glossy surface!
A few of our favorites include:
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The Holly Jolly Holiday Ornament and Joy to the World Ornament: Both playful nods to kitschy 1950s cheer.
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The Fly Me to the Moon Ornament: Channels the space-age fascination of the era.
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The Wallace and Davis “Sisters, Sisters”: Adds a touch of Hollywood nostalgia to your tree.
🎄Decorating Tip: Cluster glass ornaments by color family—think turquoise, gold, and silver—for a cohesive mid-mod palette.
3. Metal Mid-Mod Ornaments
Metal ornaments blend a minimalist material with cheerful holiday designs, and they’re durable enough to become a go-to part of your holiday decor year after year.
A few of our favorites include:
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The Folk Art Ornament and Pink Daisies Ornament: Mixes mid century motifs with Scandinavian simplicity.
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The Metal Christmas Tree Ornament: Keeps things classically Christmas and mid-mod clean.
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The “I’m Not Old, I’m Mid Century Modern” Ornament: Brings the perfect amount of humor to your holiday decor.
🎄Decorating Tip: Pair metal ornaments with matte or wooden pieces for balance, and lean into color. Brass and orange tones pair beautifully with teal and white lights.
4. Pewter Mid-Mod Ornaments
Pewter ornaments have a soft finish that gives them a timeless vintage feel—perfect if you like ornaments that feel both retro and long-lasting. And ours are in festive snowflake shapes!
A few of our favorites include:
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The Yellow Merry Christmas Ornament: Wonderfully bright and cheerful with retro flair.
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The Mica Snow Ornament: Looks like it came straight off of Grandma’s 1960s tree.
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The Blue Cornflower Ornament: A simple nod to retro dishware designs, but festive!
🎄Decorating Tip: Pewter fits beautifully with cool color palettes. Hang them against a white or silver tinsel tree for some mid-mod holiday magic.
5. Acrylic Mid-Mod Ornaments
Our acrylic ornaments capture the spirit of mid century architecture in miniature. Think bright doors, angled roofs, and bold color blocks that feel straight out of Palm Springs.
Whether you want pops of orange, green, or teal on your tree, our little mid-mod houses are instant classics. Or get all three and create a mini mid century neighborhood on your Christmas tree!
🎄Decorating Tip: Because acrylic ornaments are lightweight, they’re perfect for the upper branches or thinner limbs of your tree.
FAQs About Mid Century Modern Christmas Ornaments
1. What did Christmas ornaments look like in the 1950s?
In the 1950s, Christmas ornaments were often bright and playful. Think shiny glass baubles in pastel or jewel tones, and atomic-age patterns, like starbursts and boomerangs. Figurine-style ornaments, like Santa, snowmen, and angels, were also very popular.
2. What is trending this year for Christmas decor?
Warm nostalgia is trending for 2025 Christmas decor. For your holiday decor, consider vintage-inspired ornaments, cozy textures, and classic holiday colors in softer tones, like blush, mint, and champagne gold.
