Christmas Blow Molds
December 12, 2012
I haven't seen or heard much about Christmas blow molds in blogland, except for Pam at House of Hawthorne's. In her recent Christmas porch post, Pam went back and forth about whether to display her blow molds or not. She opted to display one Santa blow mold.
Are blow molds tacky? Maybe they are kitsch. Remember when I did a nostalgia post on kitsch. The definition is:
Are blow molds tacky? Maybe they are kitsch. Remember when I did a nostalgia post on kitsch. The definition is:
1: something that appeals to popular or lowbrow taste and is often of poor quality,
2: a tacky or lowbrow quality or condition.
Blow molds sound like kitsch to me.
I have six Christmas blow molds. Four of them are vintage or near vintage.
There's a large Santa face made by Empire. This Santa is at least from the 1970's, as I remember him hanging at my Aunt Phyllis' house before she gave him to me.
Then there are two of these Empire Noel candles that were my grandparents. Also from the 1970's or before.
This Santa is the very first blow mold I purchased when my son was little, making this one about 30 years old. I can remember that I bought it at Ace Hardware.
I think the snowman is made by Union and is maybe 15 years old. I purchased it at Menards. It may be made in China.
The gingerbread man is also a Menards fairly new blow mold.
I remember riding around town with my parents when I was a child, looking at Christmas lights. What did I like best, the blow molds. So even though they are a little tacky, I still put them out.
Blow molds and the old style C7 colored lights, just like when I was a kid.
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I love the old blow molds. I have been looking for a Santa. I love yours. Do they sell them anymore or do you have to go to ebay to get one? I also like the old ceramic lights. I donot like the leds at all. Love all of them in your yard. :)
ReplyDeleteThese old blow molds are so cute! The look so nice in your yard. Jean
ReplyDeleteKitchy cute! I have the manager scene, two angels, two snowmen, a huge Santa and small Santa. Neighbors think we have the cutest house in development! They know culture when they see it! Ho Ho Ho!
ReplyDeleteNow THAT is what I call a real Christmas yard!! I'm still choking over the fact that something from the 70's is vintage!! :)
ReplyDeleteYours are very cute. I like those better than inflatibles for sure.
ReplyDeleteI love them Carlene! Yours are just great! Maybe it's the memories, but they're fun. My snowman is so old he has a hole in his hat and hand, sadly I think he may have to go soon.
ReplyDeleteI'm going to put a post up on my Christmas decor shortly and there are 3 more blow molds there! Small ones though.
ReplyDeleteI love that snowman. I looked at Menard's this year and they just had an ugly one with a weirdly colored orange nose. BTW, I had someone stop following me after I posted about my front porch. Not sure if it was blow mold related or not?
Hehe on Pam's comment above. Some folks just don't know classy Christmas decor when they see it! I love your kitchy yard ornaments and big old fashioned lights! We've got the big old lights, too, but their days are numbered. They don't manufacture the bulbs anymore. We'll have a therapy group when they're all gone. :@
ReplyDeleteI never knew those were called blow molds! I like these better than the ones that deflate during the day. Have a wonderful holiday season, Laura
ReplyDeleteCarlene..I have always been strangely drawn to these! I never knew what they were called though! Fun post! And you have snow!
ReplyDeleteLooks great!! Love all the snow...looks similar here ;)
ReplyDeleteI've been surprised I haven't seen the blow mold figures on the blogs either. I have a whole nativity I meant to get out this year and set it up in a barn stall. May be "old fashioned" but I still love them!
ReplyDeleteMy computer (at the office) is acting up. I'm having trouble leaving a comment, so this may show up twice. I didn't know they were called blow molds. I have one Santa, who looks down on my family room from an upstairs balcony. Yours look so charming in front of your house. The picture took me right back to my childhood. laurie
ReplyDeleteHi Carlene! Oh, I love these little forms and didn't know they were called blow molds! We had a Santa head similar to that when I was a little girl. It always hung on our front door! ;)
ReplyDeleteBe a sweetie,
Shelia ;)
Love the vintage look. Thanks for visiting my blog...I did not make the trees. I bought the small one at an auction and the other one was given to me by a friend!Dianntha
ReplyDeleteOh, what wonderful memories! Call it what you will, it was a time of magic, happiness and joy. You are lucky to have a few pieces of it to make new memories.
ReplyDeleteHugs and happy holidays,
Patti
I LOVE your kitsch Christmas blow molds! They are darling. The Santa face is my favorite!! I sold a small Empire Santa on Etsy. It was hard for me to let go of and I was secretly hoping it wouldn't sell. I think they are great!!!
ReplyDeleteKaren
I don't think they are tacky at all. They are charming decorations that bring back wonderful childhood memories for many. Your collection looks great lit in the snow.
ReplyDeleteDanielle
I love your figures, Carlene! They are so whimsical and charming to me!
ReplyDeleteGood morning Carlene. I love the 'old look' yard decorations. I collected those for year, but sold or donated most of them. I still have a few left and had planned to use them on my mantel this year, but did not work out. I especially like the Snowmen. I did not know they were called blow molds, but knew they are blown. Several years ago when I was selling on eBay, certain Santas were going for big $$$'s. Love all your Christmas.
ReplyDeleteHugs,
Audrey Z.
I love these treasures a 1000 times more than those "Blow up" nightmares that now grace many a lawn. :)
ReplyDeleteCompletely and utterly enchanting!
Have a holly jolly day.
I love these vintage decorations! So a gal named Julie blogged about her friend Carlene, who always cleans up so neatly while she bakes and her comment is right next to yours on my Christmas home post. Are you the same Carlene?
ReplyDeleteThanks so much for your sweet comment on my home.
Hi Carlene! I love blow molds, too. I have a small Santa and two small Noel Candles, all about 14" - use them indoors. I had a set of the Gingerbread ones - boy, girl, house - but Mister got rid of them a few years back. :(
ReplyDeleteP.S. - I also have one of those Johnson Bros. coasters, but use it on the stove for a spoon rest!
Thank you, Carlene, for the stroll down memory lane. I remember these so well from years gone by. How nice they look settled in the snow.
ReplyDeleteHave a great weeek, my friend.
Merry Christmas!
Carolynn xxx