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.
Dawn says
I purchased mine OFF season on Ebay for 50 bucks. It wasnt spectacular but it was nice enough. I will get another nicer one some day but for now it will do. I looked for a looooong time and I found the prices were MUCH more reasonable (Of coruse!) over the summer.
John Taylor says
Hey I am going to purchase a LED Color Party Bulb for mine in a bit and I found them at the Home Depot. I hope this helps. jt
Casey says
I bought a 4′ vintage aluminum tree with a color wheel this past August. I found it on Etsy and it was a great deal (probably because no one else was feelin’ the holiday spirit in the middle of summer!). I’ve never been so excited to decorate for Christmas! I have a big living room window in my apartment that faces the residential street and I’m really going to do it up.
Does anyone have any information on what kind of bulb to put in the color wheel? It arrived to me with large flood, but I’m not sure if that’s appropriate. I’ll probably switch it out with something with less wattage.
Lauren says
I have one 4 foot tinsel tree that I get out every few years that serves up a good vintage feel.. But a couple of years ago I was thrilled to purchase a *vintage aluminum tree in it’s original box.. Only problem- It has no pole or stand for the branches to go in. So the branches, in their sleeves, just sit there year after year until someday I sell them or get crafty and *make* a pole.. lol
..One day I will get the whole sh’bang!!! 🙂
Rick S says
Lauren,
It may not take much to make your own or you may count up the branches you have and look for a old ,nobody wants it, cheap green tree and use the pole after repainting. The story behind your tree, Priceless.
rick
Lauren says
Oh, hey- I didn’t consider using an old cheap green tree pole – I will keep my eye out for certain! Thanks!! 🙂
pam kueber says
that looks to be a really nice contemporary interpretation — thanks, Susie!
Lindel Salow says
Hey Pam,
Awesome reading here about the aluminum trees. We have a vintage 6 foot GOLD aluminum tree that is set up every year…the neighbors always ask when it’s going up! We ended up using 2 color wheels and last year added a vintage rotating tree stand to the mix. Oh what fun it is!
Rebecca Prichard says
Pam, I have been meaning to make sure you knew about Yuletide Expressions since I bought my DREAM tree two years ago. (I had a lot on my plate and never did.) It’s FABULOUS. I love it so much. I am saddened to read they stopped making them. Mine is very good quality.
Susie says
Hi Rebecca, I’ve been eyeballing the Yuletide Expressions trees and maybe the pictures on their website aren’t doing them justice, but they don’t seem to be as *shiny* as vintage trees. This might be a dumb question but is yours really shiny? What size and model did you get (classic or slim)? Thanks!
Rebecca Prichard says
No, not dumb, they are expensive for something that cannot be rationalized as a “need.” Plus, I LOVE talking about my tree. I think it’s shiny and gorgeous. I feel like a child when I think about it. I would love to send you photos. Should I email you? Or facebook?
I bought the 5 ft classic. I love it, and I love that’s it made in the USA. After reading about the old ones and how some of them were made vs. how these are made it was a no-brainer. Plus, as good as any old one could be, it’s still like 50 years old. Unless, you find it at a garage sale for cheap, it simply can’t be in great condition.
pam kueber says
What is happening when you try to post, Diane?? I’d love to know — we moved servers last week and you are finding any issues, it helps to know….
Diane in CO says
Well, for starters, you don’t see my comment posted here about where you can buy Aluminum Trees in Denver at St. Nick’s with the link to their website, do you? And I tried twice yesterday.
Last night I “posted” it I thought. But, when I checked it didn’t show up. Refreshed. Still didn’t see it — and my link oddly still showed in the “website” bar along with my name and email address.
Soooo, tried again (re-pasted my long-winded story) 🙂 Hit “Submit Comment.” Whoa! Got a big error message “this is a duplicate post! Certainly you don’t mean to post it again? You will be shot on the spot.” (just kidding with that last part)
Waited until today. Logged on. My comment about the tree source still didn’t show up. The link still appeared in the website “bar” and I had to erase it to post my “test comment” above, which initially told me “your comment is being monitored.”
Am I on probation?????
Diane in CO says
correction: it reads “your comment is awaiting moderation.” This one too!
pam kueber says
I recently started putting all comments into moderation.
pam kueber says
Diane, I found your tree comment in spam. I am not sure why it went there, I suspect that the link you put in there has been reported as spam somewhere else on the intertubes.
Diane in CO says
Oh, interesting….. thanks, Pam.
Cathy says
We got ours back in 92 on our honeymoon from my favorite vintage store of all time, now online. Wonderful people, and always have the best stuff!
RetroSandie says
I have that same book, Michael!! Thanks for reminding me so I can put it out!!! 🙂