DUSTING off the Christmas boxes from the loft as you get ready for the big day?
There could be something valuable among them that will help pay for this year’s present haul – you never know, even that old festive biscuit tin could be worth some money.
“When it comes to Christmas, there are items that will always be valuable – including rare coins, antique decorations, and vintage confectionery tins,” says Antony Charman, antiques expert and founder of Vintage Cash Cow.
“Some books and catalogues are also known to be fairly valuable too, especially first editions, depending on their rarity and condition.”
So what exactly should you be looking for to give your Christmas coffers a boost?
Here are the types of items that could be worth serious cash, according to Antony:
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Christmas coins
The Royal Mint releases special Christmas coins in limited quantities that aren’t for circulation but could be worth a lot of money.
Being rare is not enough to make a coin valuable, other factors are whether it’s of historical significance, along with the condition of the coin, according to Anthony.
He said: "For example, a commemorative coin for the 40th anniversary of The Snowman was released in November 2018 and there have been variations released by the Royal Mint each year since.
"While they aren’t going to get you thousands, a rare 2019 edition of the coin is currently on eBay for £350."
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Other variations of the coin could get you anything from £20 to £105.
Decorations
Some vintage Christmas decorations could be worth a fair amount of money.
This is especially if they're in their original packaging and in good condition, or if they have a unique shape or pattern, said Anthony.
It could include everything from limited edition or special release baubles and tree ornaments to tree skirts, Christmas lights and Christmas crockery.
Delivery platform Shift has found discovered that Kugel tree ornaments can be worth up to £1,000, for example, while ceramic Christmas trees – popular in the 70s – can sell for £200.
Christmas biscuit tins
Some Christmas biscuit tins are selling on eBay and Etsy for well over £100.
But, as with any antique, the key is to look for its age, how rare it is, why it was released and the condition that it’s in, according to Anthony.
He said: "If you have a Huntley & Palmer biscuit tin in your attic, it could fetch you well over £100.
"The longer you keep hold of it, the more it will increase in value.”
Books and catalogues
With Christmas books – particularly first editions, cards and catalogues – condition really matters, as does age and rarity.
First edition copies of A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens, for example, are being sold for nearly £8,000.
Anthony said: “While an old Argos catalogue isn’t going to land you a windfall, you could fetch up to £50 for an old one on eBay.
"Sears, meanwhile, released a wish book every Christmas which had a similar hold on kids in the US – you could get nearly £400 for a 1939 copy on eBay."
Christmas cards
Some vintage cards in good condition could get you up to £50 on eBay and the more valuable ones could even get you thousands.
Victorian cards are ones to look out for – one recently sold on eBay for £145, said Anthony.
He added: "Cards can be valuable if they are hand-printed or part of a special limited edition release.
"If the card depicts an historical event or popular character – like Winnie the Pooh, Mickey Mouse or Snoopy – or has been signed by someone famous or part of a Royal release, then that could add to the card’s provenance.
"A rare Christmas card signed by the now Queen Camilla sold on eBay for nearly £600."
Christmas music and films
Bing Crosby’s ‘White Christmas’ started a tidal wave of Christmas records in 1938, and some of the rarer records are now highly collectable.
Anthony said: "There is also a lot of collectable memorabilia associated with festive films – like the Muppets Christmas Carol, The Nightmare Before Christmas and White Christmas – that could be valuable too.
"Think items like figurines, tree decorations and posters."
The most valuable Christmas collectables
Antony Charman’s guide to the most valuable festive items are as follows:
The Snowman Figures
Royal Doulton’s The Snowman collection is a series of figurines first introduced in 1996.
There are now 20 in the collection, made from fine bone china and hand-painted.
Anthony said: "They’re popular with collectors and can be quite valuable – if you have the entire set, boxed and in good condition, you could get up to £1000 for it, and some of the rarer individual figurines can sell for several hundred pounds."
Bunnykins Collectable Figures
The Royal Doulton Bunnykins collection is a line of children's tableware and figurines first introduced in 1934.
Anthony said: "Rare pieces can be very valuable – a white Santa Bunnykins figurine from 1981 can fetch as much as £300."
Holt Howard Christmas Collectables
The Holt Howard company is known for their unique designs and hand-painted details and they released a range of Christmas collectibles in the 1950s.
Anthony said: "A vintage Holt Howard Santa Claus figurine could be worth several hundred, while a common ornament from the 1960s might sell for a few pounds.
"If you own any, consider having them appraised by an expert to determine their value."
German Kugel Ornaments
The German Kugel hand-blown glass ornaments originated in the 18th century and are traditionally made in a variety of shapes and sizes.
This includes spheres, eggs, grapes, and pinecones decorated with vibrant colours and intricate designs – often featuring silver or gold leafing.
They are still made by hand in Germany.
Anthony said: "Some rare German Kugel ornaments can be worth thousands – a pear-shaped 19th century Kugel sold for £14,000."
Belsnickles
A Belsnickles Father Christmas figurine is a traditional German decoration of a figure known as Belsnickel, a mischievous character who is said to visit homes on Christmas Eve to punish naughty children.
Anthony said: "Belsnickles figurines are typically made from papier-mâché or hand-painted wood and can have sweet containers hidden within.
"Some rare Belsnickles figurines can be worth as much as £3,000."
Hornsea Christmas Plates
Made between 1979 to 1987, this series of plates had various designs but crucially, not many were released, making them rare and valuable.
Anthony said: "One plate design which was issued each year featured individual letters spelling out the word ‘Christmas’ when displayed together.
"If you were to have all nine in good condition and boxed, you could get yourself nearly £200 right now – and they will only increase in value."
Steiff Teddy Bears
A 1990 Steiff bear now sells for around £300, while a 1998 bear could earn you around £200, according to Anthony.
Sometimes the brand will release limited edition or seasonal bears – ike the Tiffany x Steiff collaboration Christmas bear from Japan – which is now worth over £1000.
"Early Steiffs are in great demand and, while a 2023 bear (priced at £59.90) is unlikely to make you a return for many years, it's a worthwhile investment if you’re willing to play the long game," he added.
Disney
Disney limited edition baubles tend to increase in value over time, according to Anthony.
The Nightmare Before Christmas limited edition bauble from 2010 is now on sale on eBay for £280, and a set of tree decorations featuring Snow White and the Seven Dwarves is currently on the site for £250, he said.
"There are several limited edition baubles available this year, including the Frozen 10th Anniversary Bauble and the Robin Hood 50th Anniversary Bauble that I predict could be worth something in future, especially if you keep them sealed.
"Limited Edition Disney pins are typically produced in very small quantities and can be highly sought after by collectors in years to come.
"For example, only 5,000 of Tim Burton's The Nightmare Before Christmas 30th Anniversary limited edition pin set have been produced – but they’re only £28 to pick up now."
LEGO sets and figures
The Mr. and Mrs. Claus’ Living Room LEGO set was released in 2021 and is now retired.
If you have the original box, it could fetch you up to nearly £400 on eBay, and this figure is set to increase by 31% every year, said Anthony
"An item retiring soon that may be worth an investment is the Christmas Tree, currently retailing at £34.99 – it can already be found on eBay for £75.
"You can find out the value of a number of different Christmas LEGO sets on the website Brick Economy."
Coca Cola
Coca Cola has had a long association with Christmas and Santa Claus due to its iconic Christmas advert.
There have been plenty of items released off the back of this, including tree decorations of the truck, metal signs, branded teddy bears and limited edition Coca Cola glass bottles.
Anthony said: "Depending on age, rarity and condition, you could make some money from them – the official remote control Coca-Cola truck from 2008, for example, can be found on eBay for over £200.
How to sell them
Online platforms like eBay, Etsy, and dedicated antique websites can earn you a lot of money.
"If you’re unsure what price to list your item, see what prices similar items are set at or seek help from an expert who may be able to offer some advice if you think your item is valuable,” explains Antony.
“If you send your item for free to Vintage Cash Cow, for example, they can check the quality, condition, age and demand and provide a free quote to buy your items from you."
If you are not satisfied with your offer, they will return your items free of charge, so you have nothing to lose by sending them.
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