14 Holiday Decorations People Regret Tossing After Downsizing

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We become sentimental when the holidays come around. It could be the twinkle of fairy lights or the faint smell of cinnamon in the air and we’re suddenly teleported back to our childhoods, to family gatherings, to snow covered mornings spent unwrapping gifts. However, when the time comes to downsize, whether it’s for a move, a purge, or just because you think it’s time to simplify, holiday decorations typically become casualties.

The truth is that some of the decorations are more than just glitter and tinsel; they have memories and tradition and even a little bit of magic. Once they’re gone, those feelings are not so easy to replace. If you’re in the middle of a downsizing dilemma, consider this your heads up on the things many people wish they would have kept. It might make you rethink what goes in your holiday stash.

Old Family Ornaments

Close-up of a decorated Christmas tree with elegant ornaments. — Photo Credit: Jimmy Chan/Pexels

Tree decorations are more than just family ornaments, they’re time capsules. If it’s a slightly chipped ceramic snowman your child made in first grade or a delicate glass bauble that’s been sitting on your grandmother’s tree for generations, these are pieces with stories you can’t buy back. Before you toss that glitter-covered macaroni ornament, ask yourself: will I miss the memory it contains?

Vintage Christmas Lights

Close Up Photo of Brown String Lights — Image Credit: Dzenina Lukac/ Pexels

While those old strings of Christmas lights aren’t the power-saving LED lights of today, they’re irreplaceable in their own way. There’s something about vintage lights that has more a warm glow to them that a modern one just can’t replicate. They also tended to be designed—like bubble lights or flower shaped bulbs that are hard to come by nowadays. If you have ever attempted to recreate that old school holiday vibe, you know it is really not possible without those nostalgic lights.

Holiday Village Sets

Magical Christmas Destinations You Can't Miss — Image Credit: Phuc Tran/Pexels

When you’re trying to pare down, tiny ceramic houses with snowy rooftops may seem like clutter, but their absence can leave your holiday décor feeling a little empty. Many holiday village sets tell a story, from the quaint bakery with its glowing windows to the far away skating rink chock full of figurines. Tossing them might mean tossing a future tradition.

Antique Tree Toppers

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That delicate, hand painted star or angel on top of your family tree, spanning over decades, isn’t just a decoration — it’s history. Modern tree toppers don’t compare to the intricate craftsmanship and unique designs that antique tree toppers often have. When it’s gone, it’s gone. Replacing it with something of similar quality can seem impossible. Reflect on this before it passes you by.

Seasonal Linens

Say Goodbye to These 15 Old-School Christmas Decor Trends in 2024 — Photo Credit: Rix Pix Photography/Shutterstock

Tablecloths, napkins, and even stockings themed with holidays are not deemed big deal, but they usually go along with family meals and cozy holiday mornings. When you look back, many people realize just how hard it is to find the ones that feel ‘just right’ and they end up regretting letting them go. A table runner that is beautifully embroidered can certainly be used every day but it can also set a scene for unforgettable gatherings.

Childhood Stockings

There’s nothing like stockings with your name stitched in crooked letters by a well intentioned grandparent or ones bearing your favorite childhood character. These are the kinds of decorations that can instantly bring to mind memory of holiday mornings with anticipation. There is no generic replacement once gone.

Handmade Wreaths

Hands arranging a seasonal wreath with dried oranges, pinecones, and foliage on a wooden table. — Photo Credit: Sueda Dilli/Pexels

If you’ve ever made or had a loved one make you a wreath from scratch, you know it’s more than just door décor. Store bought wreaths lack the personal touch handmade ones have. For many, it is until the holidays when their front door looks empty that they realize they let one go.

Vintage Holiday Cards

Handmade Holiday Cards — Image Credit: Jonathan Borba/Pexels

At first, stacks of old holiday cards may seem like paper clutter, but those handwritten notes and vintage designs can’t be replaced. When people can’t remember the illustrations or the heartfelt note from someone not here anymore, many of them regret tossing those cards. Not only can you use these cards but also you can repurpose it as decorations to make your home more nostalgic.

Keepsake Advent Calendars

An elegant DIY Christmas advent calendar featuring paper bags and festive decorations. — Photo Credit: Nati/Pexels

Advent calendars are a tradition in its own right, especially when they are traditional ones you’ve used for years. They are hard to replace once you realize they are such an important part of your family’s holiday routine: whether they are a wooden calendar with tiny drawers or a fabric one with pockets for surprises.

Holiday Music Boxes

Carolers or a spinning Santa Claus on a music box aren’t just decorations, they’re memory machines. The music, soft and tinkly, is a certain sort of holiday nostalgia. Music is closely bound up with emotional memory, so it’s no surprise that so many people feel sad about losing these items.

Hand-Painted Decorations

Hand painted decorations are often one of a kind and very personal, from tree ornaments to figurines. When you’re downsizing, they may not seem important but they are charming because they’re imperfect and have stories. Tossing them can make you feel like you are losing a part of your family’s holiday history.

Old-School Tree Garlands

Perhaps beaded garlands, popcorn strings, or even tinsel heavy garlands of decades past won’t be in line with today’s minimalist trends, but they come with a nostalgia that modern décor sometimes lack. People often regret selling them when they try to recreate the warmth from their childhood holiday tree.

Collectible Figurines

These figurines are years of curation; whether it’s a set of nutcrackers or a collection of Santas. On the surface, downsizing might seem like the right path, but it can create some serious regret when you realize you can’t rebuild a collection overnight.

Heirloom Nativity Scenes

It’s often a deeply personal thing with nativity scenes, especially when they’ve been passed down through generations. They are so intricate and connected to family traditions and are irreplaceable. Parting with yours? Think about the stories in there.

Disclaimer: This list is solely the author’s opinion based on research and publicly available information.