Kitschmasland!: Christmas Decor from the 1950s to the 1970s - Paperback

Kitschmasland: Christmas Decor from the 1950s to the 1970s

This revised edition takes readers on a nostalgic journey through three decades of American Christmas decorating, from the 1950s through the 1970s. Author Travis Smith presents an extensive visual archive of mid-century holiday traditions, documenting the evolution of Christmas decor during this distinctive era.

Comprehensive Visual Documentation

Over 400 color photographs and vintage magazine images illustrate the full spectrum of Christmas decorations from this period. The book captures both whimsical and elegant designs, showcasing vintage Christmas ornaments, artificial trees, ceramic figurines, and complete home decorating schemes from the era. Each photograph serves as a reference point for collectors and enthusiasts seeking to identify or recreate authentic mid-century holiday displays.

Retro Homes and Period-Authentic Displays

The book features tours of retro homes fully decorated for the holidays, demonstrating how families of the 1950s, 1960s, and 1970s approached Christmas decorating. These authentic room settings provide context for individual pieces and show how various decorative elements worked together to create the distinctive aesthetic of mid-century Christmas celebrations.

Reference Guide for Collectors

This paperback serves as a practical reference for collectors of vintage Christmas items. The extensive photographic catalog helps identify specific ornament styles, ceramic pieces, and decorative accessories from the three-decade span. The book documents both high-end decorations and mass-market items that defined the era's approach to holiday decor.

Mid-Century Design and Popular Culture

Beyond individual collectibles, the book examines Christmas decorating as an expression of mid-century American popular culture. The decorations reflect the design sensibilities, manufacturing techniques, and consumer trends of the post-war decades, making this volume relevant to anyone interested in mid-century design history.

Published by Schiffer Publishing

Schiffer Publishing's revised edition maintains high reproduction quality for the vintage photographs and magazine imagery. The book's format makes it suitable both as a coffee table display piece and a practical collector's reference guide.

Whether you're a collector seeking to identify vintage pieces, a decorator looking to recreate authentic mid-century holiday displays, or simply someone with fond memories of Christmas celebrations from these decades, this book provides comprehensive documentation of an iconic era in American Christmas traditions.