While I probably should have written this last week or the week before, it will be good food for thought for next year. It’s Christmas time! While the holiday season is full of fun, laughter, gift giving, and crazy nights drinking and partying, it also reminds us there is a whole world of Christmas antiques and collectibles. But, just like the blow-up yard decorations at Home Depot, you do not want to sell them during Summer. Now before going crazy not every Christmas ornament, tree topper, or old stand is worth money, most Christmas and holiday articles just fall in the used household goods category, yard sale stuff. However, there are certain things to keep an eye out for in your basement or at the local flea market.
When it comes to the ornaments that dangle off your tree, the big name to look for in Grandma’s storage is Kugel. Founded in the early 1840’s the German company is known for its lustrous finish glass ornaments and were sold through the early twentieth century. Condition is crucial, if they are all scratched up, they’re worth half the value of a mint one if not less. Your biggest winners are going to be large diameter balls or grape clusters. Yes, grape as in the fruit. Individually they can bring $100 to $300, but when you have a great group of six or eight ornaments they can bring into the thousands. People will pay a premium to buy in a group. So, you want to keep your eyes peeled, as you could be looking at a good chunk of money in glass. As a quick honorable mention in the world of Christmas ornaments on the contemporary side of things Hallmark Keepsake ornaments are no joke. While they do dance the line of a “made to be collectible” item they are fairly limited compared to the amount of demand. Each year a new ornament within a series is created and the others are retired. So, people on the hunt to complete sets will pay a premium for an older ornament. Merry Christmas, Happy Holidays, and Happy New Year, I hope everyone out there has a great year ahead of antique picking and collecting. May the Force be with you.
