Folk Art Christmas Decor

If warmth, natural beauty, and elegant simplicity are your idea of the perfect holiday decor, vintage Christmas decorations based on Christmas folk art are for you.

Made by hand and cherished for generations, these ornaments are as sturdy, uncomplicated, and enduring as the people who created them. Sometimes referred to as "naive art" or "working class art", folk art is produced by everyday people rather than artists or artisans. Though many excellent reproductions of vintage folk ornaments are now available, the originals were generally handmade by a member of the family and used to decorate the family home.

Classic American folk art features simple shapes that are cut, carved, molded or sewn from ordinary inexpensive materials such as wood, paper, clay, tin, and cloth and then embellished, usually with paint or embroidery. In many cases the ornaments were utilitarian as well as decorative, such as woven baskets, painted boxes, and candle holders.

The simple shapes and "touchability" of this style of vintage decoration makes it a great choice for homes with young children. But these classic forms also pair beautifully with clean, sleek modern decor and they even make a surprisingly sophisticated addition to trendy industrial style design.

Here are some tips for giving your holiday decorations a vintage folk art flair:

Think simplicity and restraint
Unlike the "more is better", over-the-top profusion typical of Victorian holiday decoration, naive art is very much a "less is more" proposition.

- Rather than arranging a dozen items on the mantel, choose just two or three that have some real meaning to you.

- Don't be afraid of some empty space between your decorations; it's ok if every surface isn't sporting some bit of holiday finery.

- Forget the glitz. Forgo bright, super-shiny surfaces and anything that's glaringly artificial. Anything that's too perfect is totally wrong for this style, which is the epitome of warm and homey.

Natural materials and warm, soft colors
Decorations made of wood, fabric, paper, clay, tin, and other everyday materials are the classics of this style. Paired with simple arrangements of greenery, fruit, and candles they create a calm, creative, and welcoming holiday atmosphere.

- Try making unexpected combinations. Arrange birch branches, boughs of fir, and dried flowers in a big earthenware jug or galvanized pail, or put a pair of fat candles in the middle of a wooden serving tray and surround them with lemons and magnolia leaves or sprigs of pine.

- Homespun fabrics (or fabrics that look homespun) are a great way to add Christmas color. Make a super-simple table runner of a yard or two of muted red and green plaid fabric, or cut strips of fabric to make bows to put in arrangements or on the tree.

Highlight your heritage and your handiwork
One of the best things about folk art is its that its not only created by every culture everywhere, it's constantly being created. "Everyday art" that is characteristic of your heritage is an excellent addition to this type of decoration, and it doesn't even have to be specifically holiday-themed. Creating simple ornaments yourself is also an excellent way to create some lasting traditions in your own family.