About The Golden Glow of Christmas Past®

The Golden Glow of Christmas Past® is an amazing organization focusing on the education and history of vintage and antique Christmas ornaments, lights, and decorations.

The organization was registered as a corporation in the State of Illinois on March 19, 1990, file number 55886571, and designated by the US Federal Government Internal Revenue Service, EIN: 36-3730795, in 1998 as a 501(c)(7) social or recreational club organization. This designation means that it is tax-exempt non-profit, however, it is not a charitable organization, and therefore contributions to the organization are not US Federal Income Tax-deductible.

The Golden Glow was founded in 1980 by Jerry Ehernberger as a club, bringing together a small group of like-minded Christmas light bulb collectors. That little Christmas light bulb club has since grown to encompass all vintage and antique Christmas collectibles and into an international organization that holds a large annual convention in a different Continental US city each summer.

The Golden Glow focuses on Christmas items made or manufactured at least 40 years prior to the current year. So for 2024, our organization focuses on Christmas ornaments, lights, decorations, and history from prior to 1985.

All are welcome to join, no matter what level of collecting or knowledge you have.

Members of The Golden Glow of Christmas Past® receive six bi-monthly issues of The GLOW Magazine each year. Another benefit of membership is having access to our complete website, featuring wonderful articles, an archive of back issues of The GLOW Magazine, and access to exclusive members-only Facebook groups, including our Vintage Christmas Marketplace where members buy and sell the very best of vintage and antique Christmas collectibles.

At The Golden Glow of Christmas Past®, everyday is the most wonderful time of the year!

How It All Began

From a young boy’s fascination with Christmas lights, to the formation of a small club of like-minded collectors with a typewritten, hand-drawn, and photocopied newsletter, to the first of many annual gatherings to come, read about how The Golden Glow of Christmas Past® got started.
How It All Began

Mission Statement

Mission Statement

Social Media

Social Media

Press

Press

Welcome from the Board Chair

The Golden Glow of Christmas Past® is a 501(c)(7) non-profit organization managed by an elected volunteer Board of Directors. Here, our Board Chair welcomes you to explore everything that the Golden Glow has to offer.
Welcome from the Board Chair

Regional Organizations

While The Golden Glow of Christmas Past® has grown into an international collector’s organization, there are several regional groups which have also developed over the years. These Regional Organizations are not formally affiliated with the Golden Glow.
Regional Organizations