Have you started putting up your tree (mine is done). Now raise your hand if your home had or has an Aluminum Christmas tree (mine does not)? I so wish I did own one because I think these kinds of trees are just so darn cool!
Today’s post is going to be a fun roundup of a brief history lesson, vintage photos of the trees in “action” and of course vintage ads. Super inspiration for your Christmas decor.
Welcome to the holiday season and happy decorating!
Disclosure: Some of the links on my blog from Etsy , eBay, are Affiliate Links, meaning, at no additional cost to you, I will earn a commission if you click through and make a purchase.
Aluminum Christmas Trees-Vintage Christmas Decor Fun!
Brief History of the Aluminum Christmas Tree:
In 1958, a toy sales manager saw a metal tree in a store window and brought back the idea to his company, Aluminum Specialty Company, in Manitowoc, Wisconsin. The company worked to develop a light, cheap aluminum tree they dubbed “Evergleam” in time for Christmas in 1959. The retailed for $25 and in that decade the company produced more than one million aluminum trees (Source).
Homeowners often paired them with color wheels, which rotated to throw colored light onto the tree. Consumers liked them because they had an atomic, Space Age feel. (Source).
As the mid-1960s passed, the aluminum Christmas tree began to fall out of favor, with many thrown away or relegated to basements and attics. 1965’s, A Charlie Brown Christmas helped fuel the decline of aluminum trees. Despite Lucy’s instruction to Charlie Brown to “get the biggest aluminum tree you can find” and “Maybe paint it pink,” Charlie Brown buys the sad, but very real, tree, and doomed the popularity of aluminum trees (Source).
Whether you decorate with blue or red balls . . . or use the tree without ornaments – this exquisite tree is sure to be the talk of your neighborhood. High luster aluminum gives a dazzling brilliance. Shimmering silvery branches are swirled and tapered to a handsome realistic fullness. It’s really durable . . needles are glued and mechanically locked on. Fireproof . . you can use it year after year.
— Sears, 1963 Christmas Book
Source: Etsy – UncleDavesGarage
A fun, late 1950s / early 1960s photo of a girl in the cutest novely Christmas skirt hanging decorations on the tree. A train, presents and of course the much needed color wheel finish off the photo.
Source: Pinterest
“Now…exclusive Sears design, a lighted Green-Aluminum Tree”. Chose your colour wheels to go with it.
As seen in a 1962 Sears Christmas Catalog.
Source: Wishbookweb.com
Beyond the obvious (the tree), there is so many fun things in this Mid-Century 1960s photo. I love the all the presents so nicely wrapped, the fiberglass lampshade, that cool tv and of course the cute dog! So fun!
I think this is the same house from the image above just a different placement of the tree.
Source: Etsy – UncleDavesGarage
1962 Sears Christmas Catalog. This page features a collection of Silver Aluminum Trees and an Aluminum Swirl Tree (with bright new pom-pom trim).
Source: WishbookWeb.com
A shopping mall tree.
1960s Ad: “Christmas Trees and Christmas Gfits made with Reynolds Aluminum”. Put a kitchen appliance under your Aluminum Christmas tree.
Source: Collectors Weekly
A well dressed 1960s lady opening Christmas presents beside her silver tree. Love the curtains in the background.
Source: Tip Hero
“The Internationally Famous Aluminum Christmas Tree.” 1964 ad from Mard Continental Inc.
Source: eBay
$18.50 for almost a 7ft tree WITH decorations. Incredible! -1960s catalog page.
Source: Pinterest
1960s black cocktail dress with gloves looks lovely next to the tree. And there is the color wheel in the background (I love the color wheels).
1959 ad for “The Merriest Christmas Ever!”, Angel Pine. “Natural” shape, stainless aluminum Christmas Trees.
Source: eBay
Shopping for Vintage Aluminum Christmas Trees & Color Wheels
Are you need of a tree for your home or maybe the color wheel that goes with it? Here a some examples I have found on Etsy & eBay at the time of posting.
NOTE: If you click on any of the items featured below and they are not available, don’t fret! Hit the search button on Etsy & eBay and see what else is on the websites. There are 1000’s and 1000’s of items being listed daily.
I have also put together an ETSY COLLECTION for Aluminum Christmas Trees & Accessories that I update Monthly (Nov 30th, 2023 update).
Sparkler 6′ Aluminum Christmas Tree complete and in original box. This tree was made by the Star Band Co. of Portsmouth, VA #S691S. The original paperwork with instructions for assembly is included and it says it was made in 1962.
Source: Etsy – PJsAntiqueTreasures
Evergleam Aluminum Christmas Tree, 6 Ft Tall.
Source: eBay
1960s Sears Holiday, Colortone Roto Color Wheel for an Aluminum Christmas Tree.
Source: eBay
Another color wheel example.
Source: Etsy – ChezlManouche
Okay I must confess, I actually DO own my own aluminum tree but there is a catch…it’s teeny tiny!
Here it is on my Tiki mug shelf, hanging out beside my Ohana Tiki Motor Inn mug. It’s the size of my palm and I got it from Target several years ago. The color wheel works! I would like to wish it into a bigger size though. HA!
Thanks for dropping by and checking out this post. I hope it brought some fun memories for you and some ideas on how to add a bit of a kitschy fun vintage Christmas aesthetic to your holidays.
Share any thoughts you have about this post, in the comments section below!
Further Reading: Vintage Christmas Posts from the 1920s-1960s
Liz
