If you've spent any time on our Instagram account, website, or seen us face to face at a fair, you may have an inkling that we're fans of original vintage glass baubles. To be honest we've stopped taking them to fairs because people love to poke the wafer-thin indents and tell us they had ones like these but they broke.. So, unsurprisingly, they're getting harder to find, and prices are increasing all the time. We both remember decorating our grandparents' trees with delicate glass birds, fishes, and a particularly memorable 100-year-old boy on a swing. Find out more about these traditional festive novelties...
A brief history
The glass bauble story begins in Lauscha, Germany. By the mid-1800s, local glassblowers were shaping fruits, nuts and tiny figures, then silvering the interiors and hand-painting the surface. From there, export took off and, by the early-20th century, Lauscha supplied huge numbers of ornaments around the world.
Dating the good stuff
A few quick clues will give you a good idea of age at a glance:
Caps & hangers. Pre- and early-war pieces may show simple wire loops or wartime paper hangers (metals were rationed). Later ornaments have pressed metal caps stamped with makers or “Germany/Poland/USA”. Earlier examples tend to have simpler caps, with more ornate examples coming later.
Indents (concaves). Those jewel-like “reflectors” exploded mid-century, especially 1940s–50s European and Shiny Brite pieces. These are so delicate and (don't tell the others) our favourite.
Clip-on birds. Mouth-blown birds with metal clips are classic German/Italian mid-century forms (earlier examples exist, too). Look for age to the silvering and clip. These originally had spun-glass tails, but quite often these have perished. We usually replace lost plumage with coloured feathers to help these pieces fly another day.
Figurals. Fish, pine cones, houses, Santas and pickles were mold-blown and hand-finished. Older “kugel” types (heavier, often grape clusters) point to 19th-century traditions.
Glitter: We're not massive glitter fans (too much microplastic to justify) but original Mica glitter from the 50's? We're here for it. Less shiny than the contemporary version, this just adds a lovely shine and embellishment to baubles.
At Only Nice Things, we hand-pick vintage glass baubles with strong colour, crisp paint and good silvering - no cracks or chips - so you can build a set that lasts.
Not just for the tree: five styling ideas
-
In a footed bowl. Mound mixed sizes on a sideboard; add a few sprigs of greenery for contrast.
-
On the table. Scatter mini baubles along a linen runner with brass candlesticks for an easy centrepiece, or just one showstopping example as a table gift.
-
Under glass. Drop a handful into a cloche with a tiny branch or a single candle for a moody vignette.
-
On a wreath or garland. Wire vintage baubles into foliage; combine with our star garlands for gentle sparkle.
-
On hooks, or stands, not branches. Hang a trio from picture hooks, cupboard knobs or the edge of a dresser for little pops of colour.
Our standing wooden trees, candlesticks, and new garlands play well with glass: the warm wood and soft flame set off the shine; paper stars add calm around the colour.
Who does it well?
We love seeing how others use vintage glass with imagination and care. Full credit to these creators — perfect inspiration for your own seasonal styling:
-
Tamsyn Morgans (@tamsynmorgans). Photographer and Stylist Tamsyn shows vintage bauble heaven: bowls, branches, bejewelled trees, plus clever alternative “trees”. Beautiful colour stories and gentle nostalgia. https://www.instagram.com/tamsynmorgans
-
Selina Lake (@selinalake). Stylist and author who mixes vintage baubles with ribbons and fresh foliage; joyful, romantic and very doable at home. https://www.instagram.com/selinalake
-
Kerry Lockwood (@kerrylockwood). Cosy, thrifty, layered Christmas rooms with second-hand sparkle; great examples of bowls of ornaments and moody candlelight, and she's based in Northumberland, one of our favourite places. https://www.instagram.com/kerrylockwood
-
Leben Riebe (@vintageholiday). Maximal trees dripping with hundreds of vintage ornaments — a masterclass in colour, scale and density. This account is like the festive version of figurine panini stickers; need, need, got, need, need, need.... https://www.instagram.com/vintageholiday
-
Paula Sutton (@hillhousevintage). A masterclass in vintage-forward, timeless Christmas styling across rooms and tablescapes. Dreamy! https://www.instagram.com/hillhousevintage
Our approach (and why it matters)
We source vintage glass baubles for longevity and joy. Each one is hand-picked by us; we only list the ones that pass the ‘quality’ test; photos show the exact piece; any patina is clearly described. Add one or two each year, store them carefully, and your collection becomes a family archive — not this season’s trend.
If you’re building a set, try starting with:
-
A colour theme (e.g., ruby + teal + silver),
-
A shape theme (all indents or all teardrops), or
-
A story theme (birds + fruit + bells).
Mix them with our candlesticks (for the glow), star garlands (for rhythm), standing wooden trees (for structure), and new garlands (for length and movement). Your rooms will feel festive without the throwaway.
Vintage baubles aren’t fragile fads; they’re tiny pieces of design history. Handle with care. Display with imagination. Keep them in the family. And if you need a few exceptional ones to begin (or to complete) your collection, we’ve saved the best for you.
