Tom Hanks Typewriters: 15 Vintage Christmas Ideas That Look Like a Pricey Antique Shop Display

Tom Hanks typewriters are one of the most charming hobbies in Hollywood, and they make a wonderful theme for a cozy vintage Christmas. The actor has collected manual typewriters since he was young, and he has said he still uses them almost every day. He has even given typewriters to friends as gifts. His love of clacking keys led to a typewriter app in 2014 that quickly climbed to the top of the app charts, and to his 2017 short story collection, Uncommon Type. We borrowed that nostalgic spirit for fifteen easy holiday ideas, from bottle cap ornaments to kraft paper gifts and an antique shop shelf. Most of them use paper, twine and thrift store finds you may already have. Pull up a chair and let the typing begin..

Tom Hanks Typewriters Inspire a Vintage Christmas Desk

Start with the heart of the look: a writing desk dressed for the holidays. As his Wikipedia biography notes, the actor keeps a large collection of manual machines and still types on them, so a desk scene is a sweet nod to Tom Hanks typewriters without copying any one model. Lay a fresh garland with red berries along the back edge, stack a few cloth bound books and set out some kraft wrapped gifts. It brings the same warmth as farmhouse Christmas decor to a much smaller space..

You will need: A vintage or thrifted manual typewriter (or a decorative one), a fresh or faux evergreen garland, red berry picks, three or four old books, kraft paper, jute twine, small boxes.

How to make it: 1. Clear the desk and center the typewriter with a blank sheet of paper rolled in. 2. Drape the garland behind it and tuck a berry pick in every 6 inches. 3. Stack the books on one side, set two wrapped gifts on the other and add a mug of pencils.

Tom Hanks Typewriters Up Close: Keys Worth Copying

Look closely at a classic manual machine like the Tom Hanks typewriters in his collection and you will notice the round keys with shiny chrome rims. Those little circles are the detail that makes a vintage machine so easy to recognize, and they inspire several crafts in this list. If you own an old typewriter, a gentle cleaning makes it the star of your holiday display. Please leave working machines intact for collectors. Our story on forgotten antique machines shows how much care old mechanisms deserve.

You will need: A soft paintbrush, cotton swabs, mild soapy water, a microfiber cloth, a small lidded jar for loose parts.

How to make it: 1. Brush dust out from between the keys with a soft paintbrush. 2. Wipe each key top with a barely damp swab, then dry it right away. 3. Polish the chrome rims with a dry microfiber cloth and keep any loose parts in a lidded jar.

Bottle Cap Key Ornaments for the Tree

These ornaments look like oversized vintage keys, but they start as ordinary metal bottle caps. Press a cream paper circle into each cap, outline it with a thin black ring and seal it with decoupage medium for a glossy finish that mimics old key tops. Add a loop of red ribbon and they are ready to hang. Make a dozen in one evening and spell out a family name if you like letters. For more ways to reuse caps, see our bottle cap Christmas crafts.

You will need: Clean metal bottle caps, cream cardstock, a 1 inch circle punch, a fine black marker, gloss decoupage medium, a small brush, hot glue, thin red ribbon.

How to make it: 1. Punch cream circles and draw a thin black ring near the edge, adding a letter if you want. 2. Glue one circle inside each cap and brush on two coats of gloss decoupage medium. 3. Let it dry for an hour, then hot glue a ribbon loop to the back.

Old Books Tied With Twine as a Gift

Anyone who admires Tom Hanks typewriters probably loves books too, and a bundle of old books makes a thoughtful present for any reader. Pick two or three secondhand titles with pretty cloth covers, tie them together with jute twine and tuck in a dried flower or a sprig of pine. Add a handwritten note explaining why you chose each one. Worn books that are too tired to give can become decorations, and our old book Christmas crafts turn damaged pages into ornaments and wreaths.

You will need: Two or three secondhand books, jute twine, dried rosebuds or a pine sprig, a cream note card, a pen.

How to make it: 1. Wipe the covers with a dry cloth and stack the books from largest to smallest. 2. Wrap the twine around twice in each direction and knot it on top. 3. Slide the dried flowers and the note card under the knot.

Typed Letters to Santa in Kraft Envelopes

Kids love the idea of a real letter to Santa, and typing it on an old machine, or printing it in a typewriter style font, makes it feel official. Let each child write a short wish list and a thank you, then fold the pages into brown kraft envelopes. Tie the stack with red and white baker’s twine and a pine sprig and leave it on the mantel on Christmas Eve. Save the letters every year in a box, because they become a treasured family record. Pair them with homemade pop up cards for the grandparents.

You will need: Cream paper, a manual typewriter or a printer with a typewriter style font, kraft envelopes, red and white baker’s twine, pine sprigs.

How to make it: 1. Type or print each letter with a greeting, a short wish list and a thank you. 2. Fold the pages in thirds and slip them into kraft envelopes. 3. Stack the envelopes, tie them with baker’s twine and tuck a pine sprig under the bow.

A Keepsake Bundle of Christmas Letters

Tom Hanks is known for loving the old fashioned act of putting words on paper, and that habit is worth borrowing this season. Instead of a quick text, write short letters to the people who matter most and mail them in plain envelopes. Stamp a small tree or star on the back flap with a rubber stamp for a handmade finish. Keep the replies you receive in one bundle tied with string, and it becomes a sweet keepsake to reread every December. Simple envelopes also pair beautifully with old fashioned Christmas cards.

You will need: Plain envelopes, cream writing paper, a small rubber stamp, an ink pad, postage stamps, cotton string.

How to make it: 1. Write or type a short letter that shares one favorite memory from the year. 2. Stamp a little design on the back flap and let the ink dry. 3. Mail it, then tie the replies you receive into a bundle with string.

Tom Hanks Typewriters Style Shipping Tag Gift Tags

Old shipping tags with brass eyelets have the same no fuss charm as Tom Hanks typewriters, and they are easy to make from cardstock. Cut a rectangle, clip the top corners and reinforce the top with a round sticker or a brass eyelet. Type each name on the tag, or stamp it with letter stamps, then tie it to the gift with jute. A dried orange slice and a sprig of cedar finish the look. You will find more styles in our DIY Christmas gift tags collection.

You will need: Cream cardstock, a paper trimmer or scissors, round paper reinforcement stickers or brass eyelets, an eyelet setter, jute string, dried orange slices, cedar sprigs.

How to make it: 1. Cut tags 2 by 4 inches and trim the two top corners at an angle. 2. Punch a small opening near the top and add a reinforcement sticker or eyelet on both sides. 3. Type or stamp the name, then tie the tag to the gift with jute, adding an orange slice and cedar.

Kraft Paper Gifts With Twine and Pine

Brown kraft paper is the easiest way to give presents an antique shop look, and it costs far less than fancy wrap. Fold the ends neatly, tie each box with jute twine and tuck a sprig of pine or a small pinecone under the knot. A few white stars cut from felt or air dry clay add a soft accent. Kraft paper is also recyclable, so cleanup is easy on Christmas morning. For neat corners every time, try these gift wrapping tricks.

You will need: A roll of brown kraft paper, clear tape, jute twine, pine sprigs, small pinecones, white felt or air dry clay stars, craft glue.

How to make it: 1. Wrap the box, folding the end flaps into neat triangles before taping. 2. Wrap the twine around twice and tie a knot on top. 3. Slide a pine sprig under the twine and glue on a white star.

Tom Hanks Typewriters Ribbon Spool Wreath

Every manual machine needs an ink ribbon, and the little metal spools that hold it are a favorite flea market find. A fan of Tom Hanks typewriters will love a wreath built from these spools. Wire them around a grapevine or foam ring, fill the gaps with evergreen sprigs and red berries, and finish with a burlap bow. If you cannot find real spools, paint wooden thread spools black and silver instead. See more front door ideas in our Christmas wreaths roundup.

You will need: A 14 inch wreath ring, 15 to 20 old ribbon spools or wooden thread spools, black and silver craft paint, floral wire, evergreen sprigs, red berry picks, burlap ribbon.

How to make it: 1. Paint the wooden spools if needed and let them dry for an hour. 2. Wire the spools around the ring in a loose double row. 3. Tuck evergreen and berries between them and wire a burlap bow at the top.

A Writing Set for the Letter Writer on Your List

If someone on your list loves writing by hand, put together a simple writing set they will actually use. A nice fountain pen, a stack of cream paper and a few envelopes make a gift that feels personal and grown up. Add a small bottle of ink and a ribbon bookmark, then tuck it all into a shallow box. It is a perfect present for a teacher, a journal keeper or a grandparent. Help them keep it tidy with one of these DIY desk organizers.

You will need: A fountain pen or a smooth gel pen, a pad of cream writing paper, matching envelopes, a small bottle of ink, a ribbon bookmark, a shallow box, tissue paper.

How to make it: 1. Line the box with tissue paper. 2. Lay the paper and envelopes flat, then set the pen and ink on top. 3. Close the lid, tie it with twine and add a tag with a short note.

Tom Hanks Typewriters Inspired Framed Christmas Poem

A typed poem in a gold frame is one of the most sentimental gifts you can make. Choose a favorite holiday verse or write a few lines about your family’s year, then type it on cream paper, the way Tom Hanks typewriters turn ordinary words into something worth keeping. Center it in a thrifted frame and add the date in pen at the bottom. Display it on the mantel with garland and pinecones. For more framing ideas, try these DIY picture frames.

You will need: Cream cardstock, a typewriter or a printer with a typewriter style font, a thrifted gold frame, gold spray paint if needed, a fine pen.

How to make it: 1. Type the poem with wide margins so it sits nicely in the frame. 2. Refresh the frame with gold paint and let it dry for 30 minutes. 3. Insert the page, sign and date it, and set it on the mantel.

Vintage Suitcase Holiday Display

An old suitcase from a thrift store makes a charming stage for holiday decor. Prop the lid open and fill it with a teddy bear in a Santa hat, a soft blanket and a few wrapped gifts. It works under the tree, on a porch bench or beside the fireplace. Hard sided cases with brass latches look the most antique. When the season ends, store your decorations right inside it. Find more cuddly ideas in our teddy bear Christmas decor post.

You will need: A vintage hard sided suitcase, a plush teddy bear, a small Santa hat, a knit blanket, two or three small wrapped gifts.

How to make it: 1. Wipe the suitcase inside and out and air it outdoors for a day. 2. Fold the blanket into the base and set the bear inside. 3. Tuck the gifts around the bear and prop the lid against a wall.

Paper Snowflakes Cut From Typing Paper

Old typing paper has a soft cream color that looks lovely against a frosty window. Fold each sheet into a triangle, cut small notches and curves, and unfold a one of a kind snowflake. Hang them at different heights with white thread so they twirl in the light. It is a calm afternoon project for kids and adults alike, and a nice nod to Tom Hanks typewriters if you keep a machine on the desk below. For new folding patterns, browse our paper snowflake ideas.

You will need: Cream typing paper or printer paper, sharp scissors, a pencil, white thread, clear tape.

How to make it: 1. Fold a square sheet into a triangle three times. 2. Sketch shapes along the edges and cut them out. 3. Unfold gently, press flat under a book, then tape a thread to each one and hang them in the window.

Alphabet Stamp Set Christmas Cards

A wooden box of alphabet stamps gives handmade cards that crisp, typed look without any machine at all. Stamp a short greeting like Merry and Bright across plain cream cards, then add a tiny tree or star. Black ink looks the most like old typewriter print. The same set works on gift tags, envelopes and kraft wrap, so it earns its place in your craft drawer. Use any leftover cardstock to make printed Christmas ornaments for the tree.

You will need: An alphabet rubber stamp set, a black ink pad, blank cream cards and envelopes, a ruler, a pencil, a small tree or star stamp.

How to make it: 1. Lightly pencil a straight guideline across the card. 2. Stamp each letter along the line, pressing firmly and evenly. 3. Erase the pencil line once the ink dries and add a small tree stamp below.

Tom Hanks Typewriters Antique Shop Christmas Shelf

Finish with a shelf that looks like a corner of your favorite antique shop. Line up old books by color, add a few bottle brush trees in different heights and tuck in glass jars filled with ornaments or cinnamon sticks. A small vintage machine in the center gives it a Tom Hanks typewriters touch. Kraft wrapped mini gifts fill any gaps. Make your own trees with this bottle brush trees tutorial, then carry the look across an entire bookcase.

You will need: A rustic wall shelf, eight to ten old books, three to five bottle brush trees, small glass jars, a small vintage or decorative typewriter, mini kraft wrapped boxes.

How to make it: 1. Group the books in two or three short stacks across the shelf. 2. Place the typewriter in the center and the tallest trees at each end. 3. Fill the gaps with jars and mini gifts, then step back and adjust.