Holiday Kitsch

34 comments
Defined by Wikipedia: Kitsch (English pronunciation: /ˈkɪtʃ/, loanword from German) is a form of art that is considered an inferior, tasteless copy of an extant style of art or a worthless imitation of art of recognized value. The concept is associated with the deliberate use of elements that may be thought of as cultural icons[1] while making cheap mass-produced objects that are unoriginal. Kitsch also refers to the types of art that are aesthetically deficient (whether or not being sentimental, glamorous, theatrical, or creative) and that make creative gestures which merely imitate the superficial appearances of art through repeated conventions and formulae. Excessive sentimentality often is associated with the term.

If you read my blog or remember I have been wanting a really kitschy vintage wreath for some time now. Last year at Christmas I saw one for sale but it was just too pricey so I passed it up but since then that wreath has been nagging at me. I hoped to find a vintage stuffed wreath this year but I gave up and decided to make my own.
I've been picking up little bits here and there, mostly from etsy. Some came from Barbara at Oodles. I get a lot of inspiration from Barbara and her vintage treasures. I love her blog. Over the weekend I finally finished my kitschy Christmas treasure wreath. Step back and admire above.
If I say so myself, my wreath is way better than the wreath I saw for sale that I've been pining for. I absolutely love my wreath. It reminds me of all the cheap Japanese treasures seen everywhere in the 60s and 70s at Christmastime. Seriously this is all stuff that would have been sold for pennies on the dollar at Miracle Mart when I was a kid. But today it is now vintage wonderfulness.
I used a 12" foam wreath and wrapped it with tinsel garland. I miss overly tinseled trees from my childhood and the tinsel on the wreath serves as the prefect base.
I glued on some of my biggest pieces with E6000 and then built the wreath around the bigger treasures adding things here and there until I filled the wreath to capacity. Sweet kitschiness. I think it is perfect. Instead of hanging it outside my front door I hung it inside my front door so I could admire it.
One more look at my vintage Christmas ball collection. Also somewhat kitschy and over the top my 3 tiered display rack is full of colored glittery balls.

-nanette

P.S. Love our Eagles. Unbelievable win yesterday.
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34 comments

Simone de Klerk said...

LOVE your Holiday Kitsch!!!

Elaine/Muddling Through said...

Well, I don't care WHAT you call it - I like it! You did a great job on that wreath, and I know exactly what you mean about the Japanese Christmas ornaments. My first apartment on my own, and my first Christmas tree there, were graced with those from the TG&Y, probably spent five dollars for tree and all! But I loved it, and those things have great sentimental value to me.

Three Birds Inspired said...

Love the wreath! Reminds me of my youth!! :) Go Eagles!!

Annette said...

I love your wreath Nanette! Merry Christmas!!

Heartsdesire said...

Your wreath is terrific. You are so creative. And why buy something when you can make it even better yourself! Thanks for the instructions, I'm going to try and make one for next Christmas and I will have all year to collect those vintage ornaments.

Elisabeth said...

Thanks so much for sharing the carolers tutorial. I hadn't seen those before and I LOVE them! They'll have to wait for next year I guess. I'm happy to have found the Gingercake blog too, I'd never seen it before. I can't wait to look through it. Love your Cottage Christmas quilt too!

Elisabeth

Lynn said...

I love it!! How fantastic that you made it yourself. I love seeing those older ornaments, fun that they bring back memories. The Miracle Mart!!?! Was that really the name of a store? Can you imagine if there were such a store, you would go in and say to the clerk "hi I'm here today in need of a miracle" and it would poof you'd get one just like that.

Teodo said...

I tell that your wreath is very nice.
There are many pieces that remember me the children stories.
ciao ciao

Glenna @ Hollyhock Quilts said...

Oh Nanette! That is so so wonderful!! Do you mind if I copy your idea? That'll happen in about 2017. Thanks so much for sharing!

Barbara said...

It is perfect! And had I known, I'd have sent the elf that's on my blog today for good measure. (I like the Eagles, too, although I don't really mind the Giants, and I felt as if I should send a sympathy card to my friend who's a BIG Giants fan. What a finish!)

Sandi Linn Andersen said...

I love your wreath, too. Really cute. I have some vintage ornaments that I could put on a wreath but then I couldn't hang them on the tree. I love Glenna's comment that she might get to the wreath in 2017! I'll see if I can get my brother to find me some vintage ornaments when he goes to flea markets and maybe I can get one done by then, too! LOL!

Nedra said...

I have learned a new word. Kitschy. So you! Love the wreath, and your creative soul.

Vicki said...

I love it!

Di~ said...

Awesome! :)

Kim D. said...

Nice wreath and absolutely love the way you have those Christmas balls displayed. Have a Blessed Christmas Nanette!

SueWis said...

I love your wreath! My family used to have a floral shop and it reminds me of all those little things that we used to stick in Christmas planters filled with green plants. Very fun!

Christine M said...

I love your wreath!

Sarah Vanderburgh said...

Love your wreath, Nanette! Now you've given me one to pine for:) Perfect kitsch!

Cathi said...

I love your wreath!! I'd hang it inside so I could see it too!

Aunt Spicy said...

Bring on the kitsch! Totally love it!

strawberrycream39 said...

That is some serious cuteness there Nanette! You know, if you ever get bored of your wreath, I could give it a good home. ;-) P.S. Football is a sore subject here in NY!

Momoo said...

You definitely have a one of a kind wreath. Really neat, takes me back to my youth. I bet it was fun to put together.

Thimbleanna said...

Wow Nanette -- that's REALLY cute! I love that you hung it inside, just for YOU!!!

michelle said...

Oh Nanette that wreath is to die for. I want one. I am going to start now collecting stuff for next Christmas. I loved the tinsel garland. teri would have a fit if we didn't hang the tinsel strand by strand. I loved just throwing a handful on the tree. Oh, Brent was estatic at the Eagles win. They are his team too.

AnnieO said...

Fantastic! Great idea and since everything is hand picked you have it all just the way you want it. How fun!

kimland said...

Your wreath is great, might have to use that idea! I love old Christmas things too!

Anonymous said...

Quite possibly the cutest and kitchiest wreath I've seen! I just love it! And I'll bet everyone who sees it loves it, too! Merry Christmas my dear blog friend! xo, Nan

Char said...

Ooo reminds me of the aluminum tree we had as kids.

Wasn't that game something. My husband and I made so much noise our daughter had to come down and check on us. LOL

Gray Cardigan said...

I love your wreath!!!! It looks gorgeous!! I want to make one, too. Looks like I'll be spending the year searching for just the right pieces!

Lori Holt said...

It turned out sooo cute Nanette...and I love that you like it even better than those we have seen around here.
It's because you made it and you love everything that you put on it!
I won't hang mine outside either...too much to enjoy inside and too much good vintagey stuff to let the weather get to it!
It looks wonderful Nanette...you did a fantastic job just like you always do with everything my friend:)
xx
lori

verykerryberry said...

Love your wreath- I see the sort of stuff my granny used to hang out at Christmas- those funny little elves! It and your baubles are glorious!

Unknown said...

Oh Nanette! I so love this, and actually think I could start in the new year to scrounge for replicas for a friend who would love to have something like this even if it isn't vintage.
Each time I visit blogs, I'm learning about the spirit of women who make the world a much better place and it all begins in the home with hands doing wonderful crafts and teaching our children that they can do anything.

I loved this very lovely seasonal blog you've done. Thank you Nanette.

Brenda said...

It's perfect - now I want to mae one. maybe next year.

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