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.
Amy says
I inherited my tree from my great aunt who passed away last year. Zia Nina was meticulous about everything, so of course this was packed away in the original box with each branch in the original sleeve. I was never into the silver trees before, but now I’m so excited to have it and looking forward to getting ornaments and one of those base lights for it!
For the person asking about a stand I will say I noticed mine appears to not use the original stand. Instead it is one that was in a brown paper bag that looks like it cane from the hardware store decades ago. The bag says “ARTIFICIAL XMAS TREE HOLDER” “MANUFACTURED by HANDY THINGS MFG., CO.” You might try searching for that company, it looks like they were big in the replacement stand market.
Lisa says
It’s pre-lit, so not quite the same, but I just found this tinsel beauty online: http://www.canadiantire.ca/en/pdp/noma-tinsel-pre-lit-christmas-tree-7-ft-1515626p.html
pam kueber says
Note, I don’t think this is aluminum — aluminum trees should not have lights on them.
But yes, there are a number of plastic trees with some sort of metallic-looking coating on them being marketed as tinsel or whatever…
G S says
Would love one of these, but would be worried about tinsel and pets. At least the one from the Vermont Country Store is plastic.
Sonja Albright says
My husband and I bought one 15 years ago to go with our Palm Springs mid century modern home. We are now living in Fort Worth, Texas in another mid century modern home and still displaying it! We love it!
Tanya says
If anyone wants to sell theirs for $50 I would love to buy it. I grew up with this type of tree and I would love to have another one. This is the tree that is very sentimental to me, because it is what I used to put up for my mom every Christmas before some mice got a hold of it. Although she is no longer with us, I would love for my family to share the same beautiful experience.
pam kueber says
They tend to sell for way more than $50 today, in my experience!
Tim says
I just replaced mine with a vintage holly time turner almost new in box from ebay 55 w/shipping
Christy says
I have a vintage silver, aluminum tree but the tripod stand that came with it won’t hold it up any longer. I’ve tried tightening the screws, etc. but the tree falls over. I don’t use a lot of decorations either so it’s not that I’m using anything heavy on the tree. I think I need a sturdier stand so though about buying a base stand instead of a tripod. Does anyone have a site or can direct me where I may purchase a good one? And, is it generally a “one size fits all or do I need actual brand name info? My tree is in between the 5′ to 7′ size. Thanks!
pam kueber says
I don’t know the answer to this one, Christy. Perhaps another reader will have an idea…
Carol says
If I understand your problem correctly, then a short piece of PVC plumbing pipe might work. Measure the diameter of the trunk and have a hardware store cut a piece to surround the trunk. Slip it on then tighten the screws. Since it is a tripod, this may not work. The tripod may be wonky. Usually at Home Depot, the hardware people are generally really helpful. If not, the employees know each other and their skill levels. Ask if they know an employee that can help. Take the tripod with you, and know the diameter of the trunk. Good employees LOVE to help people like you solve a problem like this. Just don’t go when they are super busy. Don’t overlook the electrical dept. There are all kinds of brackets there. Just because a “do-dad” was made for another purpose doesn’t mean it won’t work perfectly.
Jessica says
I bought this one for my 6 foot Evergleam and spray painted it silver to match! Works perfectly! http://amzn.to/2fCknzf (pam made this an affiliate link)
Karen Orrence says
Christy, just got back my silver Pom Pom tree from my sister. Our mom bought it in the 1960s. I was always careful to put all the branches away in their paper sleeves and pack it back into the original box. It came back to me in a plastic tub with a third of the branches stuffed in without their sleeves. I went to assemble it and the tripod stand is broken. I solved it with good old silver duct tape! It looks beautiful!
Rickie says
Thank you for the warning about electric lights on these trees. There were always warnings about putting lights on these trees on the boxes they came in and the instructions, but some people don’t know about that. I’ve seen these trees decorated with lights on Pinterest and other websites and I worry someone will get electrocuted.
pam kueber says
You’re welcome!
Cysco says
Electrocution is a concern. The bigger issue with many of these trees is/was that the “needles” were not 100% aluminum, but rather a foil coating over paper. These types of branches are extremely flammable.
When looking for a vintage tree, it’s worth spending the extra money on one that has 100% aluminum branches. The higher-end trees were 100% aluminum and usually advertised that fact on their box. Some brands would even tout “Made with Reynolds Aluminum” on their packaging. [Pam edited out specific brands Cysco “thinks” might be okay — readers DO YOUR OWN research on this topic.}
The cheaper vintage trees can be real fire hazards. Keep them away from fires and outlets and never put lights on them. Buy a vintage color wheel for the tree anyway, MUCH cooler than stringing lights.
(I did WAY too much research on these things a few years back) 🙂
pam kueber says
PEOPLE: When it comes to safety issues, PLEASE get with your own properly licensed experts. I discourage readers giving specific safety advice — I will leave up Cysco’s comment as a generic warning BUT I took out the brands identified BECAUSE YOU NEED TO GET WITH YOUR OWN EXPERTS ON THIS ISSUE.
Joy says
Can’t comment as to how it actually looks but noticed a silver color tree in the newest Vermont Ctry Store….
http://t.vermontcountrystore.com/store/jump/productDetail/Home/Holiday_Decor/Christmas_Decor/Silver_Tinsel_Christmas_Tree/54207
pam kueber says
Yes, but plastic, it says…
D. Cobb says
As a married couple in 1976, and a first time mother soon after, my 5 month old daughter loved swinging in her baby swing watching the colors change on the silver pom pom tree. It was such a magical Christmas to remember. First year of marriage, first born, first Christmas, our first tree. We never got to see the tree again though. Life decided to throw a curve ball, and my daughter and I moved across the country, leaving all of our precious memories behind. Every year I would show her pictures of the silver tree, and her smiling face as she swung in front of the beautiful silver tree. As she grew older, she grew tired of the pictures, but I didn’t. I still yearn for those memories. I am still searching for my Pom Pom Tree. I don’t know if I will ever find one. But I won’t quit searching. If anyone knows of one for sale please send me an email. I would appreciate it. 6-7 ft Pom Pom
pam kueber says
Hi D., what a lovely story. These are pretty easy to buy on ebay …. !
John Regen says
Bought my tree in 1964 when I was stationed in Alex, La. After 23 years in the Air Force, I still have it! (learned about NO LIGHTS the hard way!(Always read the instructions!) Put up 1/2 of the tree against the wall of our entrance way. Turned out pretty neat !!