Mamie Eisenhower Christmas: 15 Retro Pink Decor Ideas That Bring Back 1950s Holiday Glamour
A Mamie Eisenhower Christmas was pure 1950s sparkle. Mamie Eisenhower, first lady from 1953 to 1961, loved one color above all others: pink. Her favorite shade became known as Mamie pink, and it set off a national craze for pink clothes, pink kitchens and even pink bathrooms. She was especially busy at Christmas, when she had the White House decorated from top to bottom and bought gifts for the staff. Today that cheerful pink and mint look is back in a big way, and it is surprisingly easy to recreate with tinsel, ribbon, thrifted glass and a little paint. These fifteen retro ideas will make your home feel like a vintage holiday card, without spending much at all..
A Mamie Eisenhower Christmas Starts With a Pink Tinsel Tree
Nothing says Mamie Eisenhower Christmas like a shimmering pink tinsel tree. Pink trees are easy to find again, but you can also make a small one yourself by wrapping a plain artificial tree with pink tinsel garland, branch by branch. Decorate it with a mix of pink, mint and silver glass ornaments, then add a silver star on top. Pile pink and mint wrapped gifts underneath, and the whole corner looks like a page from a 1950s magazine. Would you dare to go all pink this year..
You will need: A small artificial tree, several strands of pink tinsel garland, pink, mint and silver ornaments, a silver star, a white faux fur tree skirt.
How to make it: 1. Starting at the bottom, wrap pink tinsel around each branch and tuck the ends in. 2. Hang ornaments from the inside out, mixing colors evenly. 3. Add the star, then the tree skirt and wrapped gifts.
A Mamie Eisenhower Christmas Silver Tinsel Tree
Shiny silver trees were the height of modern style in the late 1950s. Their sparkle looks best with only one or two ornament colors, so choose bright pink and red glass balls and stop there. Set a small silver tree on a round side table and suddenly the room feels like grandma’s house at its most glamorous. Thrift stores and online resale shops often have vintage style tinsel trees for a fraction of the price of new ones. Have you ever seen a silver tree in person?
You will need: A silver tinsel tree, pink and red glass ball ornaments, ornament hooks, a round side table, a silver tree skirt.
How to make it: 1. Fluff the branches so they point upward and outward. 2. Hang ornaments evenly, alternating pink and red. 3. Wrap the base with a silver tree skirt and keep any lights to battery strands.
A Bowl Full of Pink and Mint Ornaments
This might be the easiest Mamie Eisenhower Christmas decoration of all. Fill a footed glass trifle bowl or a big vase with pink and mint ornaments, tuck a little silver tinsel between them, and set it on the coffee table. It takes two minutes and looks like a designer centerpiece. Mix shiny, matte, striped and indented ornaments for that true vintage feel. Plastic shatterproof balls work too if you have pets or small children. Which bowl in your cupboard would be perfect?
You will need: A footed glass bowl or large vase, 20 to 30 small ornaments in pink, mint and silver, a strand of silver tinsel.
How to make it: 1. Add a layer of the largest ornaments first. 2. Fill in with smaller ones and tuck tinsel into the gaps. 3. Finish with a few of the prettiest ornaments on top.
A Mamie Eisenhower Christmas Kitchen
Mamie pink was famous for spreading into kitchens all across America, so give yours a festive nod to that era. A small tabletop tree in a pink enamel pot, a glass cake stand of pink frosted cookies and a vintage style tea towel turn any counter into a retro holiday scene. Mint and pink together feel fresh and happy, even on a gray December morning. A Mamie Eisenhower Christmas kitchen does not need new cabinets, just a few sweet touches. What would you put on your counter first?
You will need: A small tabletop tree, a pink pot or painted coffee can, mini ornaments, battery fairy lights, a glass cake stand, a pink tea towel.
How to make it: 1. Set the tree in the pink pot and add tiny ornaments and battery lights. 2. Place it on the counter near a window. 3. Add a cake stand and a folded tea towel to finish the scene.
A Retro Ornament Wreath
For the front door of a Mamie Eisenhower Christmas home, an ornament wreath is perfect. It looks expensive but uses supplies from the dollar store. Shatterproof ornament balls in pink, mint and silver are glued onto a wire or foam ring until it is packed tight and glossy. A big pink satin bow at the bottom finishes the 1950s look. Hang it on your front door or above a mantel and it will catch every bit of light. It is also a wonderful way to use mismatched ornaments. How many ornaments do you think it takes?
You will need: A foam or wire wreath ring, 40 to 60 shatterproof ornaments in mixed sizes, a hot glue gun used by an adult, wide pink satin ribbon.
How to make it: 1. Pull the caps off each ornament, add a dot of glue and press them back on so they cannot slip. 2. Have an adult glue the largest ornaments around the ring first, then fill gaps with small ones. 3. Tie a big bow and hang it with ribbon.
Show Off Vintage Glass Ornaments
If you have inherited a box of old glass ornaments, do not hide them away on the back of the tree. Display them where people can admire them up close: hanging from a branch in a tall vase, lined up in an egg carton style tray, or tied to a wall rack with ribbon. Those painted swirls and soft colors tell a story about family Christmases long ago. Estate sales are a goldmine for vintage ornaments if you want to start a collection. Do you have a favorite ornament from childhood?
You will need: Vintage glass ornaments, a tall vase with bare branches or a wall rack, thin ribbon, ornament hooks.
How to make it: 1. Arrange a few bare branches in a tall vase. 2. Hang the ornaments at different heights using thin ribbon. 3. Place the display away from busy walkways so nothing gets knocked over.
Put a Mini Tree in the Pink Bathroom
Pink bathrooms became so popular in the 1950s that many people credit Mamie for the trend. If you still have one, celebrate it at Christmas instead of hiding it. A little flocked tree with tiny pink ornaments on the vanity, a strand of tinsel around the mirror and a fluffy white towel with a pink bow make guests smile every time. Even a plain white bathroom can borrow the look with pink accessories. Is your bathroom ready for holiday guests?
You will need: A small flocked tabletop tree, tiny pink ornaments, pink and silver tinsel, removable adhesive hooks, a white towel, pink ribbon.
How to make it: 1. Decorate the mini tree and place it on the vanity away from the sink. 2. Hang tinsel around the mirror with removable hooks. 3. Tie a pink bow around a folded white towel.
Layer Tinsel Garland Everywhere
No Mamie Eisenhower Christmas would be complete without tinsel. Tinsel garland was everywhere in mid century homes, draped over doorways, mirrors and windows. Today it costs about a dollar a strand, and it instantly adds that old fashioned shimmer. Try twisting two colors together, like silver and pink or silver and red, for a fuller look. Drape it in soft swags along a bookshelf or wrap it around a stair rail. A little goes a long way, so start with one room. Where would a bit of tinsel look best in your home?
You will need: Tinsel garland in two colors, removable adhesive hooks, small clear ties.
How to make it: 1. Twist two strands of tinsel together loosely. 2. Stick small hooks along a shelf edge or door frame about a foot apart. 3. Drape the tinsel in gentle swags between the hooks.
Mamie Eisenhower Christmas Ribbons on the Stair Garland
Mamie loved pink and green so much that she had several White House rooms redecorated in those colors. Bring that pairing to your staircase by spiraling wide pink and mint satin ribbons through a fresh green garland. Tie big floppy bows at each post and hang a few pink ornaments along the way. It is cheerful, a little bit fancy, and looks gorgeous in photos. Always secure garland so nothing hangs low enough to trip on. Would you add ribbons to your stairs this year?
You will need: A long fresh or faux garland, wide pink and mint satin ribbon, zip ties or soft garden ties, a few shatterproof ornaments.
How to make it: 1. Attach the garland to the banister with zip ties every two feet. 2. Spiral both ribbons through it from top to bottom. 3. Tie bows at each post and hang ornaments securely.
A Charm Bracelet Ornament Garland
Charm bracelets and pearls were part of the famous Mamie Look, and they make the sweetest tree decorations. Drape old charm bracelets and costume pearl strands over the branches like tiny garlands, or link several together to swag across a mantel. Thrift store jewelry bins are full of them for a dollar or two. Each charm becomes a little story on your tree. It is a lovely way to honor a mother or grandmother who loved her jewelry too. What is hiding in your jewelry box?
You will need: Old charm bracelets, costume pearl necklaces, small jump rings, jewelry pliers.
How to make it: 1. Untangle and clean the jewelry with a soft cloth. 2. Link bracelets end to end with jump rings to make a longer strand. 3. Drape the strands across the tree branches in loose swags.
A Mamie Eisenhower Christmas Table in Pink and Mint
Set a table that would make any 1950s hostess proud. A pale pink tablecloth, white plates, mint green napkins tied with silver ribbon and pink glass goblets create a soft, glamorous mood. For the centerpiece, fill a silver bowl with flocked mini trees and ornaments. Thrifted pink depression style glassware fits right in and is often very affordable. A Mamie Eisenhower Christmas table is happy, bright and easy to put together. Who will be sitting at yours?
You will need: A pale pink tablecloth, white plates, mint napkins, silver ribbon, pink glassware, a silver bowl, flocked mini trees, ornaments.
How to make it: 1. Lay the pink cloth and set white plates at each seat. 2. Fold mint napkins and tie each with silver ribbon. 3. Fill the silver bowl with mini trees and ornaments for the center.
Pink Ornaments and Fresh Flowers
Pair pink ornaments with fresh pink blooms for an arrangement that feels feminine and festive. Carnations are inexpensive, last for weeks and come in every shade of pink. Tuck a few shiny baubles on long picks between the flowers, or scatter them at the base of a low vase. It is a sweet idea for a side table, a guest room or a hostess gift. Grocery store flowers work perfectly here. Which flower would you choose?
You will need: Pink carnations or roses, a low vase, floral picks or wooden skewers, small pink ornaments, floral tape.
How to make it: 1. Trim the flowers short and arrange them in the vase. 2. Tape small ornaments to picks and tuck them between the blooms. 3. Scatter a few loose ornaments around the base.
Wrap Gifts in White With Pink Bows
Mamie was known for buying Christmas gifts for the White House staff, and a pretty package makes any present feel special. Wrap everything in plain white paper and tie each one with a big pink satin or velvet bow. The matching look under the tree is elegant and costs less than fancy printed paper. Add a sprig of greenery or a mini ornament to the bow for extra charm. You can learn more about her life on Mamie Eisenhower’s Wikipedia page. Who will get your prettiest package this year?
You will need: White wrapping paper, wide pink ribbon, tape, scissors, small greenery sprigs or mini ornaments.
How to make it: 1. Wrap each gift neatly in white paper. 2. Tie a wide pink ribbon around both directions and finish with a big bow. 3. Tuck a sprig of greenery or a tiny ornament into each bow.
Pink Star Gift Tags
Little details make a Mamie Eisenhower Christmas feel complete. Cut simple stars from pink and gold card stock, punch a hole, and tie them to gifts with a white tag on pink ribbon. Guests can hang the stars on their own trees afterward. A pack of glitter card stock makes dozens of stars for a few dollars. It is a perfect quiet evening project while a holiday movie plays. For more history, see these charming White House holiday traditions. How many stars will you cut?
You will need: Pink and gold card stock, a star template, scissors, a hole punch, white paper tags, thin pink ribbon.
How to make it: 1. Trace the star template onto card stock and cut out several stars. 2. Punch a hole at the top of each star. 3. Thread a star and a tag onto pink ribbon and tie it to a gift.
Classic Stockings in a Row
Even the most glamorous Mamie Eisenhower Christmas needs a row of stockings. If you do not have a fireplace, hang them from a wooden shelf with hooks, like this cheerful row. Plain felt stockings can be personalized with pink pom pom trim, vintage buttons or a name stitched in glitter thread. A row of matching stockings looks tidy and nostalgic all at once. Add a small bottle brush style tree or two along the shelf for a finishing touch. Whose name goes on the first stocking?
You will need: Plain felt stockings, a wall shelf with hooks, pink pom pom trim, fabric glue, glitter thread or felt letters.
How to make it: 1. Glue pom pom trim around the cuff of each stocking. 2. Add names with felt letters or simple stitches. 3. Hang the stockings evenly along the shelf hooks.
