thinking Vintage
Chances are, right around the corner from you is a treasure trove of holiday shopping. Not only might you find a most unique gift or two, but chances are you will get a bargain compared to what you might have chosen at the mall. Yesterday, I had the best time Christmas Shopping – in an Antique Shop. It was so refreshing!
Antiques have suffered a great amount of “out-of-style-syndrome” lately and some of my favorite shops around here and on especially on Cape Cod have disappeared from the landscape.
Just yesterday, I stopped in at the Summit Antiques Center while I was out doing errands on what turned out to be a really dismal weather day, and I am so glad I did. I spent about an hour browsing around and found, it was really magical. This little segue just might beat going to the mall or shopping online, any time – and especially as the crowds thicken over the next week! Just as the parking spaces at the mall become virtually impossible to find and tempers begin to flair, you might find yourself in a nice quiet, road-less-taken venue and enjoy it so much more.
What is great is that all the vendors have assembled a wonderful collection of their seasonal finds and, if you have the time to browse, you are likely to find some enchanting items and, in the process, pick up a really good mood. Stroll around the city, too, and stop in at the myriad of vintage shops there as well. (If you’re not into household items, you might find some Vintage Chanel!
I found a gorgeous albeit somewhat beat-up antique wardrobe a couple of weeks ago on 17th Street for $650. If I had a spot for it and a way to get it home, I would have scoffed it up. Compared to something from Crate and Barrel, this was a superlative piece! Oh, and don’t forget your local vintage bookstore, such as The Chatham Bookseller, where you can often find really great books for $5.
If you take the time, you can probably find something a lot more personal and special in spots such as this. I have spent time in Lambertville, scoping around over the last few weeks as well. That’s where I found those adorable sheep that are now beckoning on the side porch decked out in their oversized red bow ties!
Yesterday, I found some antique sleighs and ice skates, perfect for adorning your porch, a pair of antique children’s skis with poles, full boxes of vintage cookie cutters just like the ones I used with my Mom, old rolling pins and great bowls for cookie baking and a wonderful selection of vintage Christmas ornaments. I also spotted a lot of wonderful Steiff animals, and vintage Christmas figurines that, if you have room for display and whimsy, will add to your holiday decor. If you look closely, you will find some antique chocolate molds, and a vintage butcher block from Kings. I got an entire set of English China from here a couple of Christmas’ ago as well as a perfect Herend tureen and platter for a song! (Now, granted, I have to put very specific instructions on my list) There are good deals on copper pots and some beautiful large platters to be found as well. I have purchased a vintage street map of Paris there for my son and several really nice lamps for my daughter. You just have to run around the corner and pick up a new shade at The Lamp Shop!
Often, you can find lovely vintage mirrors for a song as well. If someone you know is into antique toys, decoys or trains, you just might find some great additions to their collections. There is great memorabilia for just about anyone’s interests – military, art, history, cooking, etal. And, if you spot something irresistible, you can update your own decor! Often these days you can pick up lovely vintage silver flatware, tea sets, ice buckets, trays and candlesticks for a really good price. Or, vintage linens! Oh, and don’t forget choice garden urns for Spring! Fill one up with tools, bulbs, seeds, or a garden book, for your favorite gardener!
Really, Christmas shopping doesn’t have to mean buying another sweater or shirt at the mall. It can mean refreshing your tree decorating with a couple of new, vintage ornaments and a wooden bead garland. There are tree toppers and old tinsel trees, and great dishes and old Spode, not to mention vintage silver candlesticks and cut glass bowls.
So, this year, surprise someone you love with a batch of homemade cookies on a vintage serving dish that you can find for $10. or less. Wrap them up in cellophane and adorn with a big red bow. I bet you’ll tickle someone’s fancy like no sweater can. And, you won’t be growling around the mall, getting shoved, and hot, finding no one has boxes, tissue or bags – and that’s if you can find what you went there for in the first place! And, you’ll have a lot more fun poking around!
And, forget Amazon – unless of course, you are buying cookbooks!
Happy Vintage Shopping!
where tree-tops glisten……..