Putz Houses

 

 An after Thanksgiving outing 

with two daughters 

was a great time checking out

 local barn sales and Antique Stores 

in the Ann Arbor- Ypsilanti area of Michigan.

We stumbled across an amazing 

collection of vintage Putz houses 

and Shiny Brite ornaments in original boxes.

Here they are at daughter Jessica's new spot 

for them in her Christmas decorating.

These is a "new to her" fun to gather decor item; 

 Daughter Laura first stumbled across them 

when thrifting in Florida right out of college.

We loved meeting Lynn and Jim at Apple Annie's Vintage.

They are back after a major flood in their shop.

Apple Annie's Vintage

Here is a bit of history about Putz houses:

The name for Putz houses evolved from the

 German word "putzen"

 which means to clean or to decorate. 

 The name was acquired by little houses 

that were placed around

 the nativity scene for Christmas decorations 

in the early 1900s. 

The little glitter houses were invented 

by the Japanese in 1928.

They were part of the "candy box" houses 

they were making for the American market. 

They were popular through 1937 and the rumors 

of war discouraged the market. 

The dime store allowed a revival after World War II 

when the Japanese began to export them. 

Popularity waned by 1960 as fashion 

and consumer tastes changed.

Vintage goods and social media have brought back

 the love for these small vintage treasures and the 

prices reflect the rise in popularity.

The thrill of the hunt 

makes these a fun little treasure.