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.
Katie says
If anyone has been looking for an inexpensive, small scale option, Target currently has a two foot tree if you look up “2ft Unlit Tinsel Christmas Tree Shiny Silver”.
I’ve found most reproductions are either super expensive, have bad reviews, or are the wrong shape (or all of the above!). This one has the right shape and is very cute for $10! I’ve been jonesing for a vintage tree for a long time, but I just can’t justify the high cost.
Michelle Bech says
I am looking at pom versus no pom and I happened to notice and see a photo of a gorgeous aluminum tree that I think was posted above by “Modshawn”. How can I replicate that full look? It’s the most gorgeous and most full aluminum tree I have ever seen? Do you have an email address for Modshawn so that I can inquire?
Pam Kueber says
Hi Michelle, best I know the Pom Pom tree was vintage — it was a vintage brand.
Nancy Huenergardt says
My vintage aluminum tree’s branches are really getting old. Is there somewhere in the USA that makes just the branches that I could buy? My tree is 6 ft. tall. Thank you! Nancy
Pam Kueber says
Hi Nancy, not that I know of. But head to ebay — some folks “harvest” the branches and sell just them.
Holly says
I found my 6 1/2 foot silver taper tree on Facebook marketplace for $175 complete with box, rotating color wheel, and branch sleeves! This is my first year having it for Christmas and I am so in love! I found a vintage revolving stand on ebay and now I just need to start collecting vintage orneaments to replace my modern ones. Definitely not disappointed with my purchase!
Leigh Ann Azlin says
I have two, both found in vintage shops for very good prices. Both are in amazing condition.
Keith says
Got my 118 branch, 7 foot pompom tree with color wheel a couple years ago at an antique store.
Nancy says
I just found a tree in my M-I-L attic, but I think the pole is missing. She is in a nursing home, so no luck asking her. Any suggestions where to locate this part? And, I wish someone could post a picture so I would know what I’m looking for. All the other pieces seem intact. I’m hoping it just fell out of the box, and I havent found it yet.
michael a bonk says
there are people on ebay who dont have whole trees and are selling the parts. its a wooden pole usually coverd in silver paper, it has holes drilled out on angles, where the branches go
Pam Kueber says
I agree, Michael — good tip: Head to ebay for the poles only!
Bruce Thomason says
I have made poles for these trees
Linda Jordan says
I recently purchased a vintage silver christmas tree from Vintage 57 through Etsy and I absolutely love it. I know of several places I can purchase the color wheels and rotating stands but I was thinking I just wanted to shine a white light on the tree in the revolving stand and not the different colors. Any suggestion as to what kind of light I should purchase? I know you cannot put lights on the tree but I was wondering what kind of white light and where I could purchase it. Thank you.
C. Angelos says
How can I sell my beautiful, fresh from the attic, vintage ’67 6ft blue- green aluminum tree complete with color wheel, rotating musical stand, and 2 boxes of white silk ornaments?
Pam Kueber says
ebay is likely your best bet, good luck
Beca says
Hmm. To me!
Jeanie Gzula says
Where can I find replacement branches ONLY for a 7 ft Peco vintage silver Christmas tree? I ONLY NEED BRANCHES, NOT THE WHOLE TREE.
They need to be 26″ long.
Pam Kueber says
Ebay — set up a saved search and wait.