Vintage Aluminum Christmas Tree

We Love Christmas Trees

A Vintage Aluminum Christmas Tree is a beautiful thing! They bring us back to a simpler, kinder time, and certainly one when Christmas was far less commercial. Often we start seeing the commercial fuss starting even before Halloween now, where before we never started until after Thanksgiving - and yes, it starts earlier every year! Next thing you know Santas will be in the stores in July (when Jolly Saint Nick likes to be vacationing at the beach instead!).

Now people often mean two different things by Vintage as used in this context.

Sometimes it means "Vintage Look" and sometimes people want an actual tree from the past, an antique aluminum Christmas tree. Both rock, and what's best depends on your wants and need, as well as budget.

First we'll look at "Vintage Look" trees and then give you some hints for finding and buying actual Vintage trees! We do need to mention that these trees first came into vogue in the late 50s and were super popular for a decade before fading in popularity and then recently making a comeback.

The tree to the right is a lovely 4.5 foot Vintage Look Aluminum Christmas Tree. It has 335 tips, hinged branch construction, and easy 2-piece  assembly. It is unlit just like the original aluminum Christmas trees, and comes with a durable white stand.

It's readily available, brand new, and should last for a very long time if not abused!
A few different sizes/styles are available too. Add a Color Wheel and you are set to go!

Some of us want a genuine Antique Aluminum Christmas Tree. I certainly wish I had my grandparents for example. The tree to the right is an Evergleam brand for example, and I'd love to have it!

They are readily available, but you need to do some work and pay attention to what condition they are in.

If you have plenty of time, yard sales are a great place to look, but you do need to get lucky. Craigslist can also work quite well - you might actually get one for free or very cheap this way. Antique shops and online malls often have them for sale also. And the last method is certainly eBay, which WILL usually have several for sale!

Some well known manufacturers you may encounter include Evergleam, Krystal, Revlis, Silver Pine , and Warren. Prices vary widely, including depending on the year. Some years they are more expensive than others, and of course prices vary depending on quality, size, and shape. Out of season is definitely cheaper!

They were first introduced in 1959 by the Aluminum Specialty Company of Manitowoc, Wisconsin, and dozens of manufacturers followed. Trees ranged from table top to pretty damn big ones, and the vast majority are silver colored - although other colors like pink,  green, red, and gold were made, antique ones are far less common nowadays. Some had as few as maybe 20 branches while some had over 200, so looks vary widely!

When looking for an authentic Vintage Aluminum Christmas Tree, make sure you see pictures if not buying in person. Often the branches will be taped, which is usually OK. Most manufacturers wrapped aluminum foil over steel rods and glued the ends on. The glue usually wears out after a few decades, and the aluminum foil is taped on at the ends in repair, which is not usually visible in an assembled tree. Again, pictures are essential if you are not buying in person. Also, sometimes the trunks are painted. Quite simply many antique trees have great looking branches, but ugly trunks, hence the paint.

Let us know how you do, and send us pictures! Maybe we'll post them!