Brass Christmas Decor: 16 Thrift Store Gold Finds That Make Your Home Look Old Money Rich

Brass Christmas decor has a warm, rich glow that makes a home feel like it has been loved for generations. The best part? Most of it is hiding on thrift store shelves for under three dollars. Crafty thrifters online are turning 79 cent bells and old lamp parts into holiday pieces that look straight out of a fancy catalog. One creator even made Ralph Lauren style wall art from a thrifted brass horse, and people could not stop sharing it. Below are 16 ways to use thrifted gold finds this season, plus an easy way to make tarnished pieces shine. Ready to go treasure hunting..

Brass Christmas Decor With Thrifted Bells

Brass bells are the easiest thrift store win of the season. They are often sitting in the knickknack aisle for less than a dollar each, and once they are polished, they look like heirlooms. Tie three or four bells together on a long piece of deep green or red velvet ribbon. Hang the cluster on a door knob, the back of a dining chair or right on the tree. They make a soft jingle every time someone walks by, which feels so cozy during the holidays. Mix sizes and shapes for the richest look. A little tarnish is fine, too, since it adds that old family treasure feel. Have you spotted bells like these at your local thrift shop?..

You will need: Thrifted brass bells, brass cleaner, velvet ribbon.

How to make it: 1. Polish the bells and let them dry. 2. Thread them onto a long velvet ribbon at different heights. 3. Tie a bow at the top and hang.

Lamp Part Tree Stands

Old brass lamps are everywhere at thrift stores, and their parts make perfect little pedestals. Unscrew the base or the decorative neck, and you have a stand that lifts a bottle brush tree up like a trophy. Brass candlesticks work the same way. Glue a small tree on top with strong craft glue and let it set overnight. Group three of them at different heights on a mantel or a buffet. The gold base makes a cheap little tree look like a pricey designer piece. It is a smart way to reuse something that might end up in the trash. Isn’t it fun to see an old lamp get a whole new life?

You will need: Brass lamp parts or candlesticks, bottle brush trees, strong glue.

How to make it: 1. Take the lamp apart and clean each piece. 2. Glue a tree to the top of each part. 3. Let dry overnight and group them by height.

Ralph Lauren Style Brass Horse Wall Art

This is the project that took off online, and it is easy to see why. A small brass horse, dog or deer from the thrift store gets mounted on linen inside an old frame. The result looks like something from a Ralph Lauren holiday showroom. Remove the glass from the frame, wrap the backing in natural linen and glue the brass figure right in the center. Drape a little cedar garland over the top of the frame for Christmas, and take it off in January so the art can stay up all year. Equestrian style is a big part of the old money look. Would you hang this in your entry or over a bar cart?

You will need: Thrifted brass figure, old frame, linen fabric, strong glue.

How to make it: 1. Remove the glass and wrap the backing in linen. 2. Glue the brass figure in the center and let dry. 3. Put it back in the frame and add a garland.

Brass Tray Holiday Vignette

A brass tray is like a stage for your holiday decor. It pulls small pieces together so they look planned instead of cluttered. Look for round or oval trays at the thrift store, often priced at two or three dollars. Set it on a coffee table or ottoman, then add a mini tree, a few shiny ornaments in a bowl and some faux greenery around the edges. Odd numbers look best, so try three main pieces. Keep a little space between them so each one shines. Once the holidays are over, swap in a plant and a book, and the tray works all year. Which table in your home needs a tray like this?

You will need: Thrifted brass tray, faux greenery, ornaments, mini tree.

How to make it: 1. Polish the tray. 2. Place the tallest piece in back. 3. Fill in with ornaments and greenery around the edges.

Brass Christmas Decor on a Dollar Store Budget

No luck at the thrift store? Make your own brass Christmas decor from dollar store finds. Plain frames, small vases, candle holders and plastic ornaments all look expensive after a coat of brass spray paint. The secret is aging them a little. Once the paint is dry, rub on a small amount of dark brown wax with a soft cloth, then buff it off. The wax settles into the grooves and makes the piece look old and real. Spray outside on a calm day and wear a mask. Line up your new pieces on a shelf and see if anyone can tell the difference. Can you believe this whole look costs under ten dollars?

You will need: Dollar store frames, vases or ornaments, brass spray paint, brown wax, cloth.

How to make it: 1. Clean the pieces and spray two light coats outside. 2. Let dry fully. 3. Rub on brown wax and buff for an aged finish.

Brass Lantern With Greenery

A brass lantern by the door or on the hearth is a classic holiday sight, and you can make it safe and pretty with no candles at all. Fill the lantern with faux pine, a few pine cones and a strand of battery fairy lights. The tiny lights glow through the glass and make the whole thing look magical at night. Thrifted lanterns often have a bit of tarnish, which looks even better here. Set one on each side of the front door, or put a small one on a side table inside. Use a timer on the lights so you never have to remember to turn them on. Doesn’t it feel like a warm welcome home?

You will need: Brass lantern, faux pine, pine cones, battery fairy lights.

How to make it: 1. Lay the pine inside the lantern. 2. Tuck in pine cones. 3. Weave in the lights and set the timer.

Vintage Brass Deer and Reindeer

Brass animals are some of the most fun finds at the thrift store, and deer are perfect for Christmas. Look for small brass deer, reindeer or even horses on the shelves. They are usually solid and heavy, and they look amazing grouped together. Set three or five on a mantel or bookshelf, and sprinkle a little faux snow around their feet. Add a few small sprigs of greenery so they look like they are standing in a winter forest. Mix sizes for a more natural look. Shoppers are always surprised at how cheap these figures are. Few pieces of brass Christmas decor feel as charming as a little herd of deer. Would your kids or grandkids love naming each one?

You will need: Brass deer figures, faux snow, small greenery sprigs.

How to make it: 1. Polish the figures. 2. Arrange them in a group of three or five. 3. Add faux snow and greenery around them.

Brass Ornaments From Old Keys and Hardware

Do you have a drawer full of old keys or extra cabinet pulls? Turn them into tree ornaments. Old brass keys have such pretty shapes, and they catch the light beautifully on a tree. Tie each one with a short loop of thin velvet ribbon or twine. Drawer pulls and small brass charms can be tied the same way. You can also find bags of old keys at flea markets for just a few dollars. Hang them all over a tree or tuck them into a garland. They add a sweet story to your decor, since every key once opened something. Isn’t it lovely to decorate with a little bit of history?

You will need: Old brass keys, drawer pulls, thin ribbon or twine.

How to make it: 1. Clean the keys and pulls. 2. Tie a ribbon loop through each one. 3. Hang them on the tree or a garland.

Brass Candlestick Garland Holder

Here is a clever use for brass candlesticks that does not need candles at all. Use them as heavy anchors for a table garland. Lay a garland down the center of your dining table, then set brass candlesticks along it. Wrap a bit of floral wire around each base to hold the garland in place. Top each one with a small ornament, a pine cone or a tiny bottle brush tree instead of a candle. Different heights make the table look full and rich. Thrift stores often sell these for a dollar or two each. It is brass Christmas decor that works hard and looks lovely at the same time. Are you hosting a holiday dinner this year?

You will need: Brass candlesticks, garland, floral wire, small toppers.

How to make it: 1. Lay the garland down the table. 2. Set candlesticks along it and wire each base in place. 3. Add an ornament or pine cone on top.

Brass Planter With a Mini Tree

A thrifted brass pot or an old brass ice bucket makes a beautiful home for a small tree. Pop a little live tree or a faux one right inside, then cover the top with moss so it looks finished. The warm gold color next to green needles is pure old money style. Set it on a side table, in an entry or at the foot of the stairs. If you use a live tree, put a plastic saucer inside the pot so water does not touch the brass. After Christmas, the brass planter can hold a fern or a plant all year long. Have you ever thought of using an ice bucket this way?

You will need: Brass planter or ice bucket, small tree, moss, plastic saucer.

How to make it: 1. Set a saucer inside the planter. 2. Place the tree inside. 3. Cover the top with moss.

Brass Christmas Decor for the Kitchen

The kitchen is where everyone gathers, so give it a little holiday shine too. A thrifted brass scale is a real showpiece. Fill the tray with oranges, cinnamon sticks and a few sprigs of greenery. Brass bowls and old jelly molds can hold clementines, pine cones or wrapped candies on the counter. The warm gold looks gorgeous next to white cabinets or butcher block. This kind of brass Christmas decor smells good, too, thanks to the fruit and spice. Keep it to one corner of the counter so you still have room to cook. Clementines on the counter also make a sweet snack for holiday guests walking by. What would you fill your brass bowl with?

You will need: Brass kitchen scale, brass bowls, oranges, cinnamon sticks, greenery.

How to make it: 1. Polish the scale and bowls. 2. Fill them with fruit and cinnamon. 3. Tuck greenery around the edges.

Brass Picture Frame Gallery

Thrift stores always have stacks of brass picture frames, and they make a stunning holiday gallery. Pick five to seven frames in different sizes and shapes. Print free vintage holiday art at home, like old Christmas cards, winter scenes or a classic Santa. Hang them in a tight group above a console or along a hallway. Picture hanging strips mean no nail holes. In January, swap the prints for family photos, and the brass gallery stays up all year. This brass Christmas decor idea makes a big impact for very little money. Keep the spacing between frames about two inches so the group reads as one piece. Which vintage prints would you pick?

You will need: Thrifted brass frames, printed vintage art, hanging strips.

How to make it: 1. Clean the frames and add your prints. 2. Lay them on the floor to plan the layout. 3. Hang with strips, starting in the center.

Brass Bell Wreath

If you find a big bag of bells at the thrift store, grab it and make this wreath. Hot glue brass bells all over a foam wreath form, starting with the biggest ones and filling gaps with the small ones. It ends up shiny, heavy and totally unique. Finish it with a big deep red velvet bow at the bottom. Hang it on the front door, and it jingles every time someone comes in. It looks amazing over a mirror or on a mantel, too. This one takes about an hour, so put on some holiday music while you work. Bigger bells in the back and smaller ones on top add depth. How many bells do you think it will take?

You will need: Foam wreath form, brass bells, hot glue, velvet ribbon.

How to make it: 1. Glue large bells all around the form. 2. Fill gaps with smaller bells. 3. Tie on a big velvet bow.

How to Clean Thrifted Brass Safely

Many thrifted brass pieces look dull and brown at first, but that is easy to fix with things from your kitchen. Cut a lemon in half, dip it in salt and rub it gently over the brass. Rinse with warm water and dry with a soft cloth. For tougher spots, make a paste of baking soda and lemon juice and let it sit for a few minutes. A store bought brass cleaner works well, too. Test a small spot first, since some pieces are only brass plated. Some people love a little tarnish for a vintage look, so stop when you like it. Isn’t it amazing how fast that gold glow comes back?

You will need: Lemon, salt, baking soda, soft cloth, brass cleaner.

How to make it: 1. Rub with a salted lemon half. 2. Rinse with warm water. 3. Dry and buff with a soft cloth.

Mixing Brass Christmas Decor With Plaid and Velvet

Want the full old money look? Pair your brass with red plaid and green velvet. These three together feel like a cozy country house or a classic ski lodge. Set a few brass pieces on a side table, like a bell, a small tray and a candlestick. Add a green velvet pillow to the chair beside it and tie red plaid ribbon around a small stack of books. The colors bounce off each other and make the corner glow. You do not need a lot, just a few pieces of each. Good brass Christmas decor is about warmth, and these colors bring plenty of it. Would you try this color combo in your living room?

You will need: Plaid ribbon, velvet pillow, three brass pieces.

How to make it: 1. Group brass pieces on a side table. 2. Add a velvet pillow nearby. 3. Tie plaid ribbon around books or a vase.

Brass Christmas Decor Gift Ideas

Thrifted brass makes a lovely gift for the adults on your list, especially friends who love vintage style. A polished brass bell, a little ring tray or a pair of small candlesticks can cost under five dollars but look like a boutique find. Wrap them in plain kraft paper with velvet ribbon and a sprig of greenery. Add a handwritten tag that tells the story of where you found it. People love a gift with a story. These brass Christmas decor gifts are perfect for neighbors, teachers or a hostess gift. Tuck a polishing cloth in the box so they can keep it shiny. Who on your list would love a little vintage gold?

You will need: Small brass pieces, kraft paper, velvet ribbon, gift tags.

How to make it: 1. Polish each piece. 2. Wrap in kraft paper. 3. Tie with ribbon and add a greenery sprig and tag.