Old Window Christmas Decor: 15 Farmhouse Ideas That Turn a Thrift Store Frame Into Holiday Magic

Old window Christmas decor is the easiest way to make your home look like a page from a country magazine, and it often starts with a frame that costs a few dollars. Thrift stores, yard sales and salvage shops are full of chippy old windows that nobody wants. Bring one home, and it can hold a wreath, your holiday cards, a tiny snowy village or the whole family’s mittens. The peeling paint and wavy glass do all the work, so you never need fancy skills. We gathered our favorite ideas for the mantel, the porch, the kitchen and even the guest room. Most take an afternoon and a handful of simple supplies. Pick your favorite, grab a mug of cocoa and a roll of ribbon, and let’s give an old window a brand new holiday job..

Old Window Christmas Decor With a Fresh Pine Wreath

One dusty window from the thrift store can steal the whole room. That is the magic of old window Christmas decor. Lean a chippy white frame on the wall, hang a fresh pine wreath in the middle pane, and suddenly your living room looks like a page from a country magazine. Most of these frames once sat in a classic sash window, so the peeling paint and wavy glass come with real history. Add a few red and silver glass balls on long ribbons, pile pine at the base, and you are done. If you love this look, our farmhouse Christmas decor ideas will give you even more cozy inspiration for every room..

You will need: 1 old multi pane window frame, 1 fresh or faux pine wreath (14 to 18 inches), 2 yards red velvet ribbon, 6 shatterproof red and silver ornaments, 1 adhesive hook rated for 5 pounds, pine branches, faux red berries, clear matte spray sealer.

How to make it: 1. Wipe the frame with a damp cloth and let it dry. Do not sand old paint; spray it with clear matte sealer outdoors instead. 2. Stick the adhesive hook to the top rail on the back and hang the wreath so it sits in the center panes. 3. Tie ornaments on ribbons of different lengths along the top rail. 4. Lean the frame against the wall and pile pine and berries at the base.

Wreath and Garland on a Rustic Plank Wall

This is the old window Christmas decor you hang and forget until January. A four pane window looks perfect on a plank wall, especially with a full cedar wreath and a garland of red berries draped across the top. The warm wood behind the white frame makes every green branch pop. It also fills a big blank wall without spending much at all. Swap the plaid bow for burlap if your home leans rustic. For more wreath shapes and fillers, browse our favorite Christmas wreaths and pick one that fits your frame size.

You will need: 1 four pane window frame, 2 heavy duty picture hanging hooks, picture wire, 1 pine and cedar wreath with pine cones, 1 plaid wired ribbon, 1 berry garland (4 feet), floral wire.

How to make it: 1. Attach picture wire across the back of the frame with screw eyes, with adult help. 2. Hang the frame on two wall hooks so it stays level. 3. Hang the wreath from the top rail with floral wire so it covers the center cross. 4. Drape the berry garland along the top and wire the plaid bow under the wreath.

Old Window Christmas Card Display

Where do all those holiday cards go every year? Usually into a pile on the counter. Old window Christmas decor fixes that. A nine pane window gives them a home. Stretch rows of jute twine across the frame and clip each card with a tiny clothespin. The panes act like little picture frames, so even plain cards look special. Tuck sprigs of pine into the corners, and you have a display that grows all month. History lovers will enjoy reading about the man behind the first Christmas cards while the mail keeps coming.

You will need: 1 nine pane window frame, jute twine (15 feet), 40 mini wooden clothespins, 8 small cup hooks, pine sprigs, 1 adhesive hanging strip set rated for the frame weight.

How to make it: 1. Twist small cup hooks into each side of the frame, one pair per row, with adult help. 2. Tie twine from hook to hook, pulling it snug. 3. Hang the frame on the wall with adhesive strips or a sturdy hook. 4. Clip cards to the twine as they arrive and tuck pine sprigs into the corners.

Old Window Christmas Decor Advent Calendar

Kids will run to this window every morning. Each pane holds a small kraft bag with a treat, a note or a tiny activity inside. A twelve pane frame gives you twelve days, or clip two bags per pane for the full countdown. The neat grid looks tidy and pretty even when the bags are empty. Add numbers with a white paint pen on the bags if you like. Looking for more countdown ideas? Our homemade advent calendars are full of fun fillers too.

You will need: 1 twelve pane window frame, 24 small kraft paper bags, 24 mini clothespins, red and white baker’s twine, white paint pen, small treats or notes, pine sprigs, hot glue (adult help).

How to make it: 1. Number the bags 1 to 24 with the paint pen. 2. Fill each bag, fold the top and tie with baker’s twine. 3. Hot glue a mini clothespin to the center of each pane’s wood edge, with adult help. 4. Clip the bags in order and add pine sprigs to a few panes.

Frosty Snowflake Stenciled Panes

This old window Christmas decor looks like a frosty morning in the country, even if you live where it never snows. Spray faux snow through a snowflake stencil, then dab extra snow in the bottom corners of each pane so it looks like drifts. It takes about ten minutes. The best part is the clean up. Faux snow wipes off glass with a damp cloth, so you can change the design every year. Our faux snow decor ideas show even more ways to get that wintry look indoors.

You will need: 1 four pane window frame, 1 can faux snow spray, 2 or 3 snowflake stencils, painter’s tape, 1 sponge, a small pine garland, newspaper.

How to make it: 1. Clean the glass well and let it dry. 2. Tape a stencil to a pane and spray a light coat of faux snow, outdoors or with a window open. 3. Lift the stencil and repeat on each pane. 4. Dab snow into the bottom corners with a sponge and add the garland on top.

Old Window Christmas Decor With a Lush Greenery Swag

Sometimes the frame only needs a crown. A thick swag of pine, cedar and eucalyptus draped over the top rail turns a plain window into a showpiece above a buffet or a dining table. Let one side hang a little lower and finish it with a big burlap bow. The soft blue green of the eucalyptus looks lovely against chippy white paint. You can make your own swag from a few cheap stems. Our easy DIY Christmas garland guide shows how to bundle them.

You will need: 1 window frame, 3 faux pine picks, 3 faux cedar stems, 3 eucalyptus stems, 6 pine cones, burlap ribbon (2 yards), floral wire, 2 small adhesive hooks.

How to make it: 1. Bundle the stems in layers, wiring each new bunch over the last stems so the swag grows to about 4 feet. 2. Wire pine cones into the thickest part. 3. Stick two small hooks on the back of the top rail. 4. Hang the swag from the hooks, letting one side drape lower, and wire on the burlap bow.

Window Above the Mantel With Stockings

A mirror is nice above a fireplace, but old window Christmas decor feels warmer. Lean a tall frame on the mantel shelf and let the panes catch the light. Then add a full garland with red berries across the front and hang plain cream knit stockings below. The look is calm, simple and very farmhouse. It also hides an empty wall behind the mantel without drilling into the wall. Want more layouts? Our Christmas mantel ideas show how to style one for every size.

You will need: 1 tall window frame, 1 garland (6 feet), faux red berry picks, 3 cream knit stockings, 3 weighted stocking holders, museum putty, 1 furniture anti tip strap.

How to make it: 1. Place museum putty under the bottom rail and lean the frame against the wall on the mantel. 2. Secure the top with an anti tip strap for safety. 3. Lay the garland across the mantel and tuck in berry picks. 4. Set stocking holders on the shelf and hang the stockings.

Old Window Christmas Decor Village Shadow Box

Peek through the glass and you will find a tiny snowy town. This shadow box is simply an old window with a shallow wooden box built on the back. Inside sit little white paper houses and bottle brush trees in a bed of faux snow. It looks precious on a console table or a kitchen shelf. Because the glass covers it, nothing gets dusty or knocked over. Our Christmas village display ideas will help you arrange the houses for the best view.

You will need: 1 small three pane window frame, 1×4 boards cut to fit the back, wood glue, small finishing nails (adult help), 1 thin plywood back, 6 to 8 small paper houses, 8 bottle brush trees, faux snow.

How to make it: 1. With adult help, build a shallow box from 1×4 boards to match the frame size. 2. Glue and nail the box to the back of the frame. 3. Fill the base with faux snow and arrange houses and trees. 4. Attach the plywood back and stand the box on a table.

Window Frame Coffee Table Tray

Small window frames make the best trays, and this old window Christmas decor works hard all year. The glass pane becomes the bottom, and two wooden handles on the ends make it easy to carry. Set it on the coffee table with a glass cloche full of red and gold ornaments, plus a few pine cones. It brings Christmas to the center of the room without taking over. After the holidays, use it for books and a plant. Our glass cloche Christmas decor ideas will give you more ways to fill the dome.

You will need: 1 small single or two pane window frame, 1 thin plywood board cut to size, 2 wooden drawer handles, short wood screws (adult help), felt pads, 1 glass cloche, 12 ornaments, pine cones.

How to make it: 1. Check the glass is firmly set and seal any loose edges with clear caulk. 2. With adult help, screw a plywood board to the back for strength. 3. Screw a handle onto each short end. 4. Add felt pads under the corners and style with the cloche, ornaments and pine cones.

Front Porch Window With a Vintage Sled

Your porch can say welcome before anyone knocks with old window Christmas decor. Lean an old window against the siding, set a vintage sled beside it and add a small evergreen in a galvanized bucket. A black lantern and loose pine branches at the base pull it all together. Every piece is weather friendly, so it can stay out all season. For the glow at night, tuck a battery LED candle inside the lantern instead of a real flame. Our vintage sled decor ideas show how to dress the sled itself.

You will need: 1 window frame, 1 vintage or thrifted sled, 1 small potted evergreen, 1 galvanized bucket, 1 black lantern, 1 battery LED pillar candle with timer, pine branches, pine cones, outdoor clear sealer.

How to make it: 1. Spray the frame with outdoor clear sealer and let it dry. 2. Lean the frame and the sled against the wall, away from the walkway. 3. Set the tree in the bucket beside them. 4. Put the LED candle in the lantern, set the timer and scatter pine and cones at the base.

Old Window Christmas Decor Ornament Hanger

Got a box of pretty ornaments that never fit on the tree? Hang them in a window. Tie pastel glass balls on velvet ribbons and let them dangle at different heights from the top rail. The open panes make them look like they are floating. Soft pink, aqua, gold and silver feel very vintage and sweet. Add little pine sprigs in the top corners and it is finished. Our vintage Christmas ornaments guide is full of colors and shapes to hunt for.

You will need: 1 long window frame, 12 to 15 glass or shatterproof ornaments, velvet ribbon in 4 colors (6 yards total), 12 small screw eyes, pine sprigs, a picture hanging kit.

How to make it: 1. With adult help, twist small screw eyes along the underside of the top rail. 2. Cut ribbons in lengths from 6 to 14 inches. 3. Tie one ornament to each ribbon and knot the other end through a screw eye. 4. Hang the frame horizontally and add pine sprigs in the corners.

Chalkboard Pane Kitchen Menu

Paint the glass, and your old window Christmas decor becomes the family message board. Matte chalkboard paint turns each pane into a place for the Christmas dinner menu, the baking list or a sweet note. It feels right at home in a farmhouse kitchen. A small pine garland on top and a crock of greenery below make it festive. After New Year, wipe it clean and use it all winter. Our vintage kitchen features story is full of more old fashioned charm for your kitchen.

You will need: 1 four or six pane window frame, chalkboard spray paint, painter’s tape, chalk or chalk markers, small pine garland, faux berry picks, sturdy wall hook.

How to make it: 1. Tape off the wood around each pane. 2. Spray two light coats of chalkboard paint on the glass outdoors, letting each coat dry. 3. Remove the tape, then rub chalk over the whole surface and wipe it off to season it. 4. Hang the frame and add the garland and berries.

Old Window Christmas Decor Headboard for the Guest Room

Give holiday guests a room that feels like a country inn. A large window frame mounted behind the bed makes a light, airy headboard. Drape a soft green garland along the top, layer a red plaid throw over white bedding, and the whole room says Christmas. It costs far less than a new headboard. Mount it to the wall, not the bed, so it stays steady. For more ideas, our old headboard ideas show clever ways to reuse a bed frame too.

You will need: 1 large multi pane window frame, 2 heavy duty French cleat hangers, wall anchors (adult help), 1 garland (6 feet), small adhesive hooks, 1 red plaid throw blanket.

How to make it: 1. Find the center above the bed and mark the frame height. 2. With adult help, mount French cleats on the wall and the back of the frame. 3. Hang the frame on the cleat so it sits just above the mattress. 4. Hang the garland from small hooks on the top rail and add the throw.

Dried Orange Garland Across the Panes

This old window Christmas decor smells as good as it looks. Thread dried orange slices, cinnamon sticks and bay leaves on jute twine, then swag it across the panes in two soft loops. When the sun hits the oranges they glow like stained glass. It is cheap, natural and very old fashioned. You can dry the oranges in your oven in an afternoon. Our dried orange slice ideas walk you through drying them so they stay bright.

You will need: 1 four pane window frame, 3 oranges, 10 cinnamon sticks, 12 dried bay leaves, jute twine (8 feet), a large blunt needle, small pine sprigs, 2 small cup hooks.

How to make it: 1. Slice oranges thin, pat dry and bake at 200 F for 3 to 4 hours, turning every hour, with adult help. 2. Let them cool fully. 3. Thread slices, cinnamon sticks and bay leaves on twine with the needle. 4. Hang the garland in two loops from cup hooks on the frame.

Window Frame Entry Hook Rack

Finish your old window Christmas decor where every visit begins, at the front door. Add black iron hooks along the bottom rail of an old window, and it becomes a pretty and useful rack. Hang scarves, mittens and a plaid stocking for the season. A small pine garland on top makes it festive, and a bench below gives everyone a spot to pull on boots. When spring comes, swap in hats and bags. Our Christmas entryway decor ideas will help you style the rest of the space.

You will need: 1 window frame, 4 black iron hooks with screws, wall anchors and a stud finder (adult help), small pine garland, small adhesive hooks.

How to make it: 1. With adult help, screw the iron hooks evenly along the bottom rail. 2. Find studs and mount the frame firmly to the wall with anchors. 3. Hang the garland from small hooks on the top rail. 4. Add scarves, mittens and a stocking, and set a bench below.