How To
Tree Trimming with Vintage Toys
I enjoy trimming a Christmas tree with our usual hodgepodge collection of ornaments but I also love themed trees. Themed trees are based on a color, a style (i.e. Victorian), or another common thread (a cowboy/cowgirl theme, the 50’s, a tropical theme, etc.). Once every few years I like to decorate a themed tree in […]

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Photo Credit : Katherine Keenan
- Fisher Price people
- Wind up toys
- Gum ball machine prizes
- Small die cast cars and vehicles
- Puzzle pieces from a child’s puzzle
- Small Play-Doh containers
- Green Army soldiers and other plastic figurines
- Playing cards
- Jacks
- Alphabet blocks and wooden toys
- Small candy boxes (i.e. Junior Mints)
Examples of toys you can add to a nostalgic toy themed tree
Photo Credit : Bonnie Thomas
Materials for Tree Trimming with Vintage Toys
- A collection of retro style toys
- String or ribbon
- Eye hook screws
- Scissors
- Sewing needle and thread (if using small plush toys)
Directions to Attach Vintage Toys to Tree
- Fisher Price people and other peg-style people can be placed on the end of a wire tree branch by turning the end of the branch upward and placing the figurine on the upturned branch. If you are using a real tree you will need to attach an eye hook screw to the top of the figurine’s head (only if the figurine is the older wooden style, not plastic). Tie string or ribbon through the eye hook and hang the figurine on a tree branch.
- Many wind up toys can be tucked into a sheltered spot in the tree.
Some toys are tucked into the branches, some are hung with ribbon
Photo Credit : Bonnie Thomas - Some gum ball machine prizes and other small trinkets may have a space to tie a ribbon through to hang it on the tree. If not, see if there are spaces in the tree that will hold the trinket in place.
- Many die cast vehicles have open windows which you can tie a ribbon through.
- You can purchase a set of mini Play-Doh packs at a toy store. Remove the Play-Doh from the containers, poke 2 holes in the cover, attach a string through the holes, and put the lid back on the container. Now the containers are ready to hang on the tree.
- Many of the green army soldiers (and other small plastic figurines) have spaces to attach a string or ribbon. You can also place a figurine directly onto a branch by pushing the branch through any of these spaces.
- Punch a hole through playing cards and then attach a ribbon through the hole.
- Wrap string around jacks and then create a loop with the string for hanging.
- Wooden blocks and toys can be turned into ornaments by screwing an eye hook into them. Attach ribbon through the eye hook to hang them on the tree.
- To use small candy boxes remove the candy then poke 2 holes in the top of the box. Pull a ribbon or string through the holes and tie a loop.
- If using any small plush items, thread a needle through the top or center of the toy and tie a loop for hanging.
- Puzzle pieces can be turned into ornaments by poking or drilling a hole through the piece and then tying a ribbon through the hole.

Photo Credit : Bonnie Thomas