Non-Traditional Christmas Decorations

Turn Your Old Radiator into a Christmas Decoration

If anyone knows this answer, we all decided it would be you.

We are tearing out old heat radiators from our bank. They are about 3 feet tall and set on adorable legs.

We think we should be able to make a killer Christmas decoration somehow.

We do our lobby, which is huge and we think it would be fun to incorporate these some way after some spray painting and etc. to become an interesting conversation piece.

What do you think?

Marcia

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Thank you for the compliment - I think.

What comes to mind is Christmas tableaus, like all the big department stores used to put in their windows. The vintage radiators could be incorporated into as many as you have room for and time to assemble.

You wouldn’t even need to paint the radiators if they’re in good repair. Props can be gathered from staff members, borrowed from local community theaters or department stores, made or perhaps rented.

You might allocate a radiator to each department at the bank to decorate and have customers vote for their favorite with dollar bills. All proceeds would go to charity. Good for the charity, good fun and good publicity for the bank.

Here are a couple of ideas to start brainstorming with.

Tableau 1

A radiator with fake heat coming off the top (glue strips of tinsel and hide a small electric fan underneath). In front of the radiator warming his hands stands a big stuffed Santa. Beside him lays a huge sack of toys (filled with balled newspaper except at the top where old-fashioned toys would be placed to show).

Next to the radiator is a rocking chair and in the chair sleeps a little child (life-like doll dressed in footed pajamas or long nightie) who had tried to stay awake to catch Santa in the act.

You could put an old-fashioned braided rug on the floor. A plush dog or cat could be curled asleep next to the chair.

Tableau 2

This could be part of Tableau 1 or a separate one. Behind a radiator is a family of mice celebrating their Christmas: miniature decorated tree; doll house furniture to complete the room; little mice (dressed if possible) positioned around the tree.

Tableau 3

"Wet" mittens and scarves lying atop the radiator to dry. A couple pair of ice skates or an antique sled on the floor nearby. A small old-fashioned table and two golden oak caned chairs. On the table are some vintage Christmas cards, cookies and two cups of "steaming" hot chocolate.

If you really want to go wild, have a carpenter build a windowed wall to go behind each tableau. Paint fake frost on the window panes. Decorate the walls inside and out. Invite visitors to peek in and look back in time.

P.S. If you add the walls, be sure one of your tableaus features a sign above the frosted window that says "Dubuque Bank and Trust, Founded 1935". Inside would be a clerk at his desk in the dress of the day. He might be penning holiday greeting cards of thanks to the bank’s loyal customers.