Are old Christmas decorations and holiday collectibles worth selling?

Many are, and they sell best in the fall leading into the holidays. Collectors look for vintage glass ornaments, especially older German and early American ones, Shiny Brite ornaments in original boxes, early electric light sets, bubble lights, blow mold yard figures, ceramic Christmas trees, cardboard village houses, feather trees and older Santa figures. Halloween items from the early and mid 1900s, such as papier-mache jack-o-lanterns and paper decorations, are also popular.

Most decorations from recent decades, including mass-produced ornaments and newer collectible villages, usually sell for modest amounts, often in boxed lots. Condition and original packaging matter a lot. Boxes with good graphics can add real appeal, while broken glass, faded paint and missing parts hurt value.

To find out what yours might bring, check sold prices from completed auctions for the same type and maker. Sell them in the fall rather than January if you can. An estate sale company or auction company can group them into attractive lots, which often brings better results than selling single pieces.