For many years, Christmas plates have been a regular part of Danish Christmas, interior design and collector’s culture. For some, they evoke memories of childhood Christmas, grandparents’ homes or cozy December traditions with a feast of colors and motifs. For others, they are beautiful porcelain plates that can be used as decorations, collectibles or personal gifts.

Today, used Christmas plates, old plates, vintage plates and collectible plates are especially popular among those who love recycling, vintage and things with history. In this guide, we’ll take a closer look at what Christmas plates are, why they’re still in demand, and what you should look for when buying used plates.

What are Christmas plates?

A Christmas plate is typically a decorative porcelain plate with a Christmas motif, often released as part of an annual series, that can contain beautiful details and spices of traditional art, and together with Christmas food as a dessert, it can be part of a cozy Christmas atmosphere. The motifs can be anything from winter landscapes, churches and angels to family life, animals, Christmas trees and classic Nordic scenes.

Many Christmas plates are made as vintage plates, where each plate represents a specific year. Therefore, they can also have a special personal meaning. A Christmas plate from a birth year, wedding year or anniversary year can be a nice and nostalgic gift.

Christmas plates are often used as:

• Wall decorations at Christmas
• Collectibles
• Decoration on shelves or in display cabinets
• Personalized gifts
• Part of a classic or nostalgic Christmas décor

Why are used Christmas plates popular?

The interest in second-hand Christmas plates is closely linked to the growing interest in recycling, vintage and sustainable home décor. Many people don’t just want new things in the home, but things with soul, history and character.

Used plaquettes often have just that charm that new products can’t always provide. They can tell a story, evoke memories and create a warm atmosphere in the home. At the same time, it makes good sense to buy second-hand if you are looking for discontinued motifs, special vintages or classic porcelain plates that are no longer produced.

Therefore, many people choose used Christmas plates because they:

• Has nostalgic value
• Goes well with classic Christmas decorations
• Can be found in many different vintages
• Are decorative and timeless
• Is a more sustainable choice
• Can be a personal gift idea

Christmas plates, vintage plates and collectible plates – what’s the difference?

Although the words are often used interchangeably, there are slight differences, and this is where the term ‘plaquetter’ comes in.

Christmas plates are plates with Christmas motifs. They are especially associated with December, Christmas spirit and classic winter motifs.

Vintage plates are plates that are released with a specific year. It can be Christmas plates, Mother’s Day plates, anniversary plates or other series.

Collectible plates is a broader term for plates that people collect. It can be because of brand, motif, vintage, theme or personal interest.

A used Christmas plate can therefore easily be both a Christmas plate, a vintage plate and a collector’s plate at the same time.

Well-known types of Christmas plates

When talking about old Christmas plates and used porcelain plates, there are some names in particular that many people are familiar with. Among the most popular are Royal Copenhagen Christmas plates and Bing & Grondahl plates.

Royal Copenhagen Christmas plates are known for their classic blue/white expression and detailed Christmas motifs. They are often associated with Danish porcelain tradition, quality and joy of collecting.

Bing & Grondahl plates also have a strong place in many Danish homes. Many people associate them with old Christmas traditions, heirlooms and classic Danish design.

However, this does not mean that only well-known brands are interesting. Many lesser-known porcelain plates can also be beautiful, decorative and worth collecting, especially if the motif, colors or vintage suit one’s home and personal style.

What should you look for when buying used Christmas plates?

When buying used plates, it is a good idea to look carefully at the condition, motif and marking. A plate can easily be beautiful and useful even if it has a little patina, but damage can have an impact on both appearance and value.

Check out in particular:

Condition: Look for chips, cracks, discolorations, and obvious damage.

Edges: A lot of damage occurs along the edge, so take a good look at the edge of the plate.

Glaze: Check if the icing is even, glossy and without major scratches.

Motiv: Choose a motif that suits your style or collection.

Year: If you are looking for a specific vintage, check the year on the back of the plate.

Labeling: Look for the manufacturer’s stamp or label on the back.

Suspension: Some plates have hangers, while others require a separate plate holder.

If the plate is to be used as a gift, it is extra important to choose a nice stand, preferably agree on a price, and choose a vintage that has personal significance.

How to use Christmas plates in your décor

Christmas plates, which are often stored in a baker, do not only need to be in a box and come out once a year. They can be used in many decorative ways in the home, both in December and the rest of the year.

A classic solution is to hang Christmas plates on the wall. Several plates together can create a beautiful gallery wall with a nostalgic and personal expression. You can also place them on shelves, in display cabinets or use them as part of a Christmas display with spruce, lights and old Christmas ornaments.

Used Christmas plates go particularly well with:

• Brass candlesticks
• Spruce and pine cones
• Old Christmas baubles
• Wooden figures
• Vintage Christmas Ornaments
• Classic porcelain
• White tablecloths and blue details

In this way, Christmas plates can help create a cozy, calm and traditional Christmas atmosphere.

Used Christmas plates as a personal gift

A Christmas plate can be a very personal gift, especially if you choose a specific vintage. For example, it can be a plate from the recipient’s year of birth, the year a couple got married, or the year the family had a child.

This makes used vintage plates obvious as a gift for:

• Birthday
• Christmas
• Anniversary
• Wedding Anniversary
• Housewarming gift
• Collectors
• People with an interest in vintage and porcelain

A used Christmas plate is not just a thing. It can be a memento, a symbol of a special year, and a decoration that can be taken out again and again.

Are old Christmas plates worth anything?

Many people ask if old Christmas plates have value. The answer depends on several things. Some plates are very common and have primarily decorative or personal value. Others may be more interesting to collectors, especially if they are rare, in great condition, or from a coveted series.

The value may depend on, among other things:

• Producer
• Vintage
• Condition
• Rarity
• Motive
• Demand
• Whether the plate has original packaging

However, the most important thing is not always the economic value. For many, it is the history, the atmosphere and the memories that make a Christmas plate valuable.

Benefits of buying used plates

There are many good reasons to choose used plates over new decorations. First and foremost, used porcelain is a more sustainable choice because you give existing things new life.

At the same time, you can find motifs and vintages that can no longer be bought from new. This makes the hunt for the right Christmas plate part of the experience.

The advantages of used plates include:

• You can find discontinued designs
• You can search for specific vintages
• You get porcelain with history
• You choose a more sustainable solution
• You can create a personal and unique interior design
• You can extend an existing collection

How to start a collection of Christmas plates

If you want to start collecting Christmas plates, it can be a good idea to choose a direction from the start. This makes the collection more manageable and more fun to build on.

For example, you can collect by:

• Specific vintages
• A specific brand
• Motifs with churches or winter landscapes
• Royal Copenhagen Christmas plates
• Bing & Grondahl plates
• Plates from family anniversaries
• Blue/white porcelain plates

A collection doesn’t have to be complete to be valuable. It should be personal and reflect your own taste, your memories and your style.

Find used Christmas plates with history

Used Christmas plates, old plates and vintage plates are more than just porcelain. They are small pieces of history that can bring nostalgia, coziness and personality into the home. Whether you collect specific vintages, are looking for a gift or just want classic Christmas decorations with soul, used plates are an obvious choice.

Explore the selection of used Christmas plates, collectible plates and decorative porcelain finds, and find just the plate that suits your home, your collection or a special occasion.

FAQ about Christmas plates

What is a Christmas plate?

A Christmas plate is a decorative plate, often designed by a well-known designer and made of porcelain, with a Christmas motif. Many Christmas plates are released as vintage plates with a specific year and are used as decoration, gift or collector’s item.

What is the difference between Christmas plates and vintage plates?

Christmas plates have Christmas motifs, while vintage plates are released with a specific year. A Christmas plate can therefore also be a vintage plate if it is part of an annual series.

Are used Christmas plates worth anything?

Some used Christmas plates can have collector’s value, especially if they are rare, in good condition or from well-known manufacturers. However, many plates have primarily decorative and nostalgic value.

What to check before buying a used Christmas plate?

You should check the condition, edges, glaze, chips, cracks, motif, year and marking on the back. If the plate is to hang on the wall, it is also a good idea to see if it has a hanger.

Can Christmas plates be used as a gift?

Yes, used Christmas plates are obvious as personal gifts. A plate from a specific year can be a nice gift for a birthday, wedding anniversary, anniversary or Christmas.