Brenda Lee Christmas: 14 Rockin Retro Decor Ideas Inspired by the 1958 Hit We Still Sing
Brenda Lee Christmas decor is pure 1958 fun: shiny aqua and cherry red ornaments, polka dot bows, checkerboard tables and a whole lot of rock and roll spirit. Brenda Lee recorded Rockin’ Around the Christmas Tree when she was just 13 years old, and in December 2023 the song finally reached number 1 on the Billboard Hot 100, making her, at 78, the oldest artist ever to top that chart. If that news put a smile on your face, these crafts will too. Every idea here uses simple supplies like felt, craft sticks, ribbon and paper, and most take one cozy afternoon. We gathered 14 retro decor projects that bring back the sock hop era, from a poodle skirt tree skirt to a hula hoop wreath. Turn up the oldies and start making..
Brenda Lee Christmas Tree in Aqua and Cherry Red
A Brenda Lee Christmas tree should look like it belongs in a 1958 living room, so start with two bold colors: aqua and cherry red. Hang shiny glass style ornaments in both shades, add white polka dot bows and finish with old fashioned silver icicles. Give the tree a round rug and a turquoise chair nearby and the whole corner suddenly feels like a holiday record cover. Want to learn more about the song that inspired it? Read the story of Rockin’ Around the Christmas Tree. Which color will you hang first..
You will need: aqua and cherry red shatterproof ornaments, white polka dot ribbon, silver tinsel icicles, ornament hooks, a round rug.
How to make it: 1. Hang the largest ornaments deep inside the branches first. 2. Add smaller red and aqua ornaments near the tips so they catch the light. 3. Tie polka dot bows between them and drape icicles strand by strand.
Felt Poodle Skirt Tree Skirt
Nothing says 1950s like a pink poodle skirt, and it makes a sweet tree skirt too. Cut a large circle of pink felt, add a white felt poodle on one side and glue on a sparkly rhinestone line for its leash. It is a no sew project, so even beginners can finish it in an evening. Kids love helping place the poodle and choosing where the leash should curl. It also folds flat for storage, which makes it a keeper for years. What color would your poodle be?
You will need: a 60 inch square of pink felt, white and black felt scraps, rhinestone ribbon, fabric glue, string and a pencil, scissors.
How to make it: 1. Tie a pencil to a 30 inch string, pin the end at the felt center and draw a big circle. 2. Cut it out, then cut a straight slit to the center and a small center hole for the trunk. 3. Glue on a felt poodle, its black nose and a rhinestone leash, and let it dry flat.
Craft Stick Mini Guitar Ornaments
Brenda Lee was nicknamed Little Miss Dynamite after her 1957 song Dynamite, and these little guitar ornaments have that same big energy in a tiny size. Each one is made from two jumbo craft sticks and a small wooden oval, painted in red, aqua or cream. Silver thread stretched down the neck becomes the strings. They are cheap, fast and fun to make in a batch while you listen to oldies. Hang them all over the tree or tie one onto a gift. How many will you make?
You will need: jumbo craft sticks, small wooden ovals, acrylic paint, silver embroidery thread, wood glue, a fine black marker, ribbon loops.
How to make it: 1. Glue a craft stick to a wooden oval to form the guitar body and neck. 2. Paint each guitar in a retro color and let it dry. 3. Glue silver thread down the neck, draw tuning pegs with marker and add a ribbon loop.
Brenda Lee Christmas Saddle Shoe Stockings
Saddle shoes were the must have school shoe of the 1950s, and they turn into adorable Brenda Lee Christmas stockings. Cut a classic stocking shape from white felt, then add a black felt saddle across the middle and a red cuff at the top. Hang them on wooden pegs against a pale wall and the row looks like a shoe store window from 1958. Add each family member’s name in glitter glue if you like. Who in your family would get the first pair?
You will need: white, black and red felt, a stocking template, fabric glue or a sewing machine, scissors, ribbon loops, wooden pegs.
How to make it: 1. Cut two white stocking shapes for each stocking and sew or glue the edges together. 2. Glue a black felt saddle piece across the middle of the foot. 3. Add a red felt cuff and a ribbon loop, then hang them on pegs.
Bobby Sock Advent Garland
Bobby socks were part of every sock hop outfit, and tiny versions make a darling advent garland. Clip small white baby socks with red and aqua cuffs to a long piece of twine using mini clothespins. Tuck a little treat or a note inside each one and add a small number tag. Every morning someone gets to open the next sock until Christmas Day. It looks cute strung across a kitchen shelf or along a window. What will you hide in the very last sock?
You will need: small white baby socks, red and aqua ribbon or paint, mini wooden clothespins, jute twine, small paper tags, a pen.
How to make it: 1. Glue a strip of red or aqua ribbon around each sock cuff. 2. Number paper tags and clip one to each sock with a clothespin. 3. Hang the socks along the twine in order and fill them with small treats.
Vintage Microphone Tree Topper
Brenda Lee sang into big chrome microphones in the 1950s, so why not top the tree with one? This topper is made from a paper ball and a cardboard tube painted shiny silver. A ridged pattern drawn on the ball gives it that classic microphone look, and a red bow under it ties everything together. It is very light, so it sits safely on the top branch. It is also a fun talking point when guests visit. Will you make a gold one or a silver one?
You will need: a 3 inch paper mache ball, a paper towel tube, metallic silver paint, a black fine marker, a hot glue gun for adults, red ribbon.
How to make it: 1. Have an adult glue the paper ball onto the end of the cardboard tube. 2. Paint everything metallic silver and let it dry. 3. Draw a crossed grid on the ball with marker, add a red bow and slide it over the top branch.
Brenda Lee Christmas Milkshake Ornaments
These Brenda Lee Christmas ornaments look like strawberry milkshakes from an old soda fountain. Fill clear plastic ornaments with pink polyester stuffing, then top each one with a red bead cherry and a short striped paper straw. They catch the light beautifully and they will not break if they fall. This is a great craft for kids because every step is safe and simple. Make a few chocolate ones with brown stuffing too. Which flavor would you order?
You will need: clear plastic fillable ornaments, pink polyester stuffing, red wooden beads, red and white paper straws, craft glue, ribbon.
How to make it: 1. Push pink stuffing into each ornament with the end of a pencil. 2. Snip paper straws to 2 inches and glue one into the opening. 3. Glue a red bead on top as the cherry and add a ribbon loop.
Polka Dot Ribbon Bows on Every Branch
Polka dots were everywhere in the 1950s, from dresses to kitchen curtains. Tying dozens of red and aqua polka dot bows is the easiest way to give a plain tree that cheerful retro feel. Use wired ribbon so the loops hold their shape, then tuck the bows deep into the branches as well as on the tips. It is a relaxing evening project, and the ribbon can be reused every year. Try mixing two widths for extra fun. Would you go all red, all aqua or both?
You will need: red and white polka dot wired ribbon, aqua and white polka dot wired ribbon, scissors, thin floral wire.
How to make it: 1. Cut ribbon into 20 inch pieces and tie each into a full bow. 2. Wrap floral wire around the center of every bow. 3. Twist the bows onto the branches in a loose spiral from top to bottom.
Checkerboard Diner Table Runner
A black and white checkerboard runner turns a family dinner into a trip to a 1950s diner. You can make one from felt squares glued onto a strip of white fabric, with no sewing at all. Add cherry red plates, aqua glasses and a few small potted trees and the table looks like a party right away. It is a big visual for very little money, and it works for New Year’s Eve too. Would your family order burgers or turkey at this diner?
You will need: a long strip of white felt or cotton, black felt, a ruler, fabric chalk, fabric glue, scissors.
How to make it: 1. Mark 3 inch squares on the black felt and cut them out. 2. Glue them in a checkerboard pattern down the white strip, leaving every other square white. 3. Let it dry flat under books, then lay it down the table.
Brenda Lee Christmas Hula Hoop Wreath
The hula hoop craze swept America in 1958, the very same year Brenda Lee recorded her famous Christmas song. That makes this Brenda Lee Christmas wreath a perfect fit. Wrap a plain hula hoop in red and white ribbon so it looks like a candy cane, then add a cluster of pine, a few retro ornaments and a big polka dot bow at the bottom. It is huge, bright and costs only a few dollars. Hang it on the front door and watch the neighbors smile. Do you still have an old hoop in the garage?
You will need: a hula hoop, red and white ribbon, faux pine picks, a few shatterproof ornaments, a polka dot bow, zip ties, a wreath hanger.
How to make it: 1. Wrap red ribbon around the hoop at an angle, then wrap white ribbon in the gaps. 2. Zip tie a cluster of pine picks to the bottom of the hoop. 3. Wire in the ornaments, add the bow and hang it on the door.
Paper Chain Garland in 1950s Colors
The humble paper chain gets a retro makeover when you use pastel pink, aqua, cherry red and cream paper. It is the kind of craft grandparents made as children, and it still delights kids today. Make one long chain for the mantel or several short ones for doorways. Use slightly thicker paper so the loops stay round. It is also a great way to count down days with little ones. For more retro ideas, see our midcentury Christmas decor gallery. How long will your chain be?
You will need: card stock in pink, aqua, red and cream, a paper trimmer or scissors, a glue stick or stapler.
How to make it: 1. Cut the paper into strips about 1 inch wide and 6 inches long. 2. Loop the first strip and glue the ends together. 3. Thread the next strip through, glue it and repeat in a color pattern.
Music Note Gift Tags
Little music note gift tags are a sweet nod to a song that has been played for more than 65 years. Cut note shapes from kraft paper, paint them red or aqua and write names on the back. Tie them to white wrapped gifts with red and white twine and the presents look like they came from a vintage record shop. These are quick to make and use up scrap paper. Who will get the first music note under your tree?
You will need: kraft card stock, a music note template, scissors, red and aqua acrylic paint, a hole punch, red and white baker’s twine.
How to make it: 1. Trace music notes on the card stock and cut them out. 2. Paint the fronts red or aqua and let them dry. 3. Punch a hole, write the name on the back and tie each tag to a gift.
Brenda Lee Christmas Mini Tree in a Vintage Tin
Not every room has space for a big tree, and this Brenda Lee Christmas mini tree fits right on the kitchen counter. Plant a small flocked tree in a red vintage tin, then add tiny pink and aqua ornaments. Thrift stores often sell old popcorn tins and cookie tins for a dollar or two. Fill the bottom with rocks so it stays steady. Next to a retro toaster or bread box, it looks like a scene from an old holiday ad. Where would you put a little tree like this?
You will need: a small flocked tree, a vintage tin, small rocks or dried beans, tiny ornaments, thin ribbon.
How to make it: 1. Fill the tin halfway with rocks to weigh it down. 2. Set the tree in the center and pack more rocks around the trunk. 3. Hang tiny ornaments and tie a ribbon around the tin.
Brenda Lee Christmas Party Snack Table
End the season with a Brenda Lee Christmas party snack table that feels like a 1958 sock hop. Cover the table with a red checkered cloth, stack frosted sugar cookies on a tiered tray and fill a big bowl with popcorn. A glass bowl of cherry red punch and aqua paper plates finish the look. Play oldies, add a small tree behind and let everyone help themselves. It is easy, affordable and so much fun. Who would you invite to rock around your snack table?
You will need: a red checkered tablecloth, a tiered tray, a punch bowl, aqua paper plates, popcorn, sugar cookies, a small decorated tree.
How to make it: 1. Lay the tablecloth and set the small tree at the back. 2. Place the tiered tray in the middle and the punch bowl to one side. 3. Fill bowls with popcorn and stack the plates where guests can reach them.
