Holiday Collectibles

Holiday collectibles come in many forms: ornaments, stuffed animals, clothing, and sculptures. The proliferation of department store promotions that include stuffed animals has turned many people away from thinking of them as collectibles. However, there are still some manufacturers of quality stuffed animals that make great holiday collectibles.

Steiff's stuffed bears made their first appearance in Germany in 1903. The bears were not a great success until an American importer brought 3,000 over to the U.S. to fill the consumer demand inspired by President Theodore "Teddy" Roosevelt. One the Steiff bears traveled across the Atlantic, their place in collecting history was sealed.

Clothing and Jewelry as Holiday Collectibles

If the traditional Christmas tree ornaments aren't what you are looking for in terms of collectible items, consider creating your own tradition and collecting a piece of holiday jewelry each year. Many reputable jewelry makers release Christmas--themed items each year, including Monet and Liz Claiborne. Vintage brooches have been very popular for the past few years, due to their increased availability on online auction sites.

If vintage Christmas jewelry is something you are interested in, it will be important to familiarize yourself with features of vintage pieces. Study what the clasps look like, what metals would have been used, and which makers released Christmas items in the time period you want. It is easy to be fooled by reproductions or items that are relatively modern unless you take the time to learn how to spot the imitations.