Other than a live Christmas tree, a retro aluminum tree — like reader BusyBhive’s tree, above, from our uploader Tinselmania: 73 vintage aluminum Christmas trees — is one of the most authentically vintage ways to decorate for the holidays. Golly, do we love our aluminum Christmas trees! Unless you are lucky enough to have one that’s been in the family for years, you’ll have to do a little searching to locate one of these tinsel beauties. I’ve scoured the internet and racked my brain to bring you this list of 6 places to find vintage and reproduction aluminum Christmas trees to add a little — no, a lotta! — sparkle to your holiday decor.
Please note, my list only includes real aluminum trees – not tinsel ones or ones made from plastic with some sort of metallic coating — but those look pretty nice these days, too!
Above: Reader MrsErinD’s retro 60’s aluminum tree.
Where to find new reproduction aluminum Christmas trees
1. Amazon
Alas, within the past decade there was a company out of North Dakota that sold wonderful looking aluminum Christmas trees, but it dropped out of site a few years ago.
Right now (holiday 2019), the only aluminum tree I can find made new is on Amazon (shown below in the selling widget).
Where to find authentic vintage aluminum Christmas trees
2. Ebay
That leaves us with: Vintage. There are — of course — a wealth of vintage aluminum Christmas trees to be had on Ebay. Many different styles, heights, colors and branch types — For example: Vintage Pom Poms, like reader Drew’s above, are hot hotter hottest. While there are still some bargains to be had on Ebay, be prepared to shell out some of the green stuff — some vintage trees can fetch several hundred dollars at auction.
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But if you love vintage you might love this video — How to Make a Christmas ornament wreath — too:
Piece together a tree from vintage parts
Tip, including from readers: You can also buy Just Branches and Just Poles (or drill your own pole, although that likely will take skillz) and try to put together your own tree from parts. Yes: On ebay and other sites, some sellers harvest the branches and sell them.
3. Etsy
A variety of vintage aluminum trees can also be found on etsy.com, and you bypass the frustrations of an auction. Once again, sizes, colors, styles and price points vary widely. Above: Reader modshawn found his gorgeous vintage hunka metal on etsy.
4. Facebook Marketplace:
One of my new favorite places to shop due to its ease of seeing photographs and changing location selections to cast a wider net.
5. Craigslist
… Is always worth checking. I use SearchTempest to widen my search — I think there are other such sites that help you do the same.
Don’t forget: You can also post a “wanted” ad — someone in your local area may have one on their basement or attic they are happy to get rid of. I got one of my aluminum trees — along with some vintage ornaments to go with — that way!
6. The hunt: Estate sales, yard sales, vintage shops, Craigslist & “Mom’s attic”
I can’t say for sure, but I’m guessing blogger Uncle Atom probably got his aluminum Christmas tree (above) from one of these sources. There are some real deals to be had on vintage aluminum Christmas trees — most likely you will find the best deals available when you are on the prowl at estate sales, yard sales, vintage shops, craigslist and everybody’s favorite — family attics and basements. The best time to do your aluminum tree hunting in the off season — when prices aren’t driven up by holiday demand and folks are doing their annual house purges.
Pam adds that, while she generally does not go to estate sales early (because she has way more than “enough” stuff already,) if you are on the hunt specifically for vintage Christmas, this might be a reason to get up early, grab a cuppa and get in line. Conversely, though, in the dead of summer, when folks just aren’t in the holiday mood, she often sees vintage Christmas decorations still available in the final hours of the sale at half-price, or better. Throw everything in a big box and ask very very nicely, “How much?” and you might be surprised by the price you are quoted to take the stuff off the estate sale organizer’s hands.
Particularly collectible aluminum Christmas trees:
While you’re on the hunt, why not look for rare aluminum Christmas trees — like Lori’s Evergleam Peacock tree. As you can see from the photo above, it stands flat on one plane, with the branches arrayed like the tale of a peacock. See more photos of Lori’s wonderful tree story here.
- We’ve also seen Stainless Steel Christmas trees!
- There are colored aluminum Christmas trees!
- And I have a small aluminum Christmas tree that is, like 180 degrees full — like an orange cut in half — that is meant to hang on a door like a wreath. I need to assemble it and get a photo up!
No matter where you find your vintage (or new) aluminum Christmas tree — REMEMBER — these types of trees were not made for electric lights. Remember: NOEL – NO Electric Lights on aluminum Christmas trees …. AND: Be aware that vintage products may contain various hazards, such as asbestos in flocking and fake snow and lead paint on old ornaments, etc. When dealing with old materials, get with a properly licensed professional to know what you are dealing with. Read more – Be Safe / Renovate Safe.
Robin ;-) says
I found my vintage aluminum tree at a garage sale about 5 years ago for $30 – I don’t know the brand but it was made in Wisconsin. I have tons of vintage glass ornaments, many that were my grandmother’s, so I load up the tree with them. I also have a reproduction aluminum tree that I got at an after Christmas sale. I actually like it better than the vintage one because it is more sturdy. I found a color wheel at an antique shop/flea market for cheap – one of the advantages of living in the Midwest! I remember my grandparents having an aluminum tree when we were kids – I thought they were super cool and mod. I don’t know what happened to it but I wish I had it!
Lisa says
When my grandma died six years ago, we found a color wheel in its original packaging. Sadly, no aluminum tree. I’ve had the color wheel since; it always provided cool lighting for all the shows my band played in college. Now my husband and I bought our first place, and we need an aluminum tree! Thanks for this post!
Jamie D says
Last year I couldn’t find an authentic aluminum tree within my budget, so I ordered a silver tinsel pre-lit tree from treetopia.com. It has a ton of branches (more space for more decorations!) and is very easy to set up and then fold up for storage. They have tinsel trees in almost every color you can imagine. It’s a decent alternative for authentic vintage if you’re on a tighter budget or time frame.
They sell color wheels, too. I think I’m going to spring for one this year.
sarah says
http://www.vermontcountrystore.com has reproduction tinsel trees and the color wheel along with a lot of other new retro holiday decorations
Kate says
Thanks for the source sarah!
CarolK says
I was going to mention Vermont Country Store! Yep, they’ve got aluminum trees and even have real old-fashioned metal icicles that drape beautifully. I’d love to have some real icicles, but I’m afraid my cats might find them tempting.
pam kueber says
Last time I checked, Vermont Country Store was no longer carrying real aluminum Christmas trees….
CarolK says
Yeah, I just noticed that on their website. That makes me sad! I think they did until recently. The trees they carry now are tinsel ones. They do carry color wheels though.
Marty says
A couple of years ago, I decided I’d look for one on ebay and only get one if I could find one that I could pick up within 10 miles. Turns out, there were several, and I got a good deal on a 5-footer.
Kendra says
I found what I *think* to be a vintage aluminum tree at our local re-use center. However, I’ve never seen (or felt) an aluminum tree in person so I can’t be sure if it’s tinsel or aluminum. It feels like tinsel, soft to the touch. Do aluminum trees feel the same way? I don’t have a color wheel and was wanting to put lights on the tree (if it is, in fact, just tinsel I presume it would be safe) Anywho, sorry for the rant!
pam kueber says
Precautionary Pam here: Kendra — you need to find a professional who can advise you how to tell the difference….
pam kueber says
COMMENTERS PLEASE NOTE: I am not comfortable allowing comments/advice on the site on how to tell aluminum vs. tinsel, and will not approve such comments.
Readers: If you have this issue/concern: Find a professional to look at your tree and advise you what it is made of, and from that whether and how you may light it safely.
Hayley says
We have many vintage aluminum trees at Retro on 8th. They are not on the website but we can get photos and info to you. Some are pom-poms, we have 3′, 5′ and 6′ as well as spinners and color wheels.
I am all for people buying repros but there is something about getting to know the quirks of a vintage aluminum tree…it almost takes on a life of its own!
When we set up the trees each year we joke with customers and ask if they want to go into the aluminum tree branch sleeve manufacturing business. No takers yet…but, we think it’s like Mr. McGuire in ‘The Graduate’…I have one word for you, Benjamin…sleeves!
hannah says
LOVE your The Graduate reference, Hayley!!! I use it all the time, and no one seems to get it except the husband. 🙂
adee jone says
do you still have alumimun trees ???
pam kueber says
we don’t sell anything here. read the story for resources where to buy
Allen says
I acquired my Evergleam 6 foot aluminum tree from a friend whose wife’s grandmother had passed away in Nebraska. He knew I was looking for one and called and asked if I wanted it. Of course I said yes and he brought it back to me in Tennessee. The tree did not have a color wheel but my uncle in Tennessee happened to have one that belonged to my great grandparents but no tree to go with it. It was a very happy marriage!
Uncle Atom says
Nice post Kate – my wish is for everyone here to find their own aluminum tree! I actually found mine years ago on ebay, in the summertime, when bidding competition isn’t so bad. Of course, once you have an aluminum tree, you have a very valid rationale for seeking out vintage ornaments!
Kate says
What a great holiday wish Uncle Atom! 🙂
ChrisH says
Growing up our neighbors had an aluminum tree, with a color wheel that washed the tree in 4 different colors. I thought it was pretty cool.