Ideas for Decorating a Vintage Aluminum Christmas Tree

In the early 1960s, shiny aluminum Christmas trees were all the rage, and in recent years they have become highly collectible and sought after holiday decorations for antique enthusiasts. When my dad gave me his silver aluminum tree that he had as a boy back in the 1960s, I was thrilled, however I didn't have any ornaments to trim it with. I knew that the best place to find ornaments suited for a genuine vintage aluminum Christmas tree would be found at an antique store, so off I went and unearthed all sorts of vintage Christmas ornaments and trim that were perfect for my tree. Here are a few tips on how I have given my Christmas tree a festive, retro look over the years.

In the early to mid 20th century, people decorated their trees with colorful glass Christmas balls, many of which were made by the company 'Shiny Brite'. These are very easy to find especially around the holidays at antique stores, and sometimes you can find an entire box unopened in its original packaging. These pretty glass balls were often decorated with little 'novelty stencils' like Nativity scenes or Santa and his reindeer. Some had even more unusual decals, such as stars and planets. I now have over 200 of these unique, colorful ornaments in my personal collection, and when they are all on my tree, it is nothing short of a spectacular rainbow of retro color! I get so many compliments on my vintage ornament collection, and the aluminum Christmas tree makes an excellent showcase for them all.

Just in case you weren't aware (and trust me, I've had quite a few people ask) you CANNOT trim an aluminum tree with electric Christmas lights. Not only is it an obvious fire hazard, but you would get a nasty shock if you tried putting electric lights on a tree literally made of metal. Instead, find a couple of strands of vintage garland (again, these are very easy to come across at antique stores around holiday time) and hang a strand of lights around a window, or someplace behind the tree. This will provide a nice back-drop, and give your tree extra sparkle. However, if you want to get authentic (which is what I prefer), do a search on ebay for a vintage aluminum Christmas tree color wheel. These were rotating 'spotlights' that consisted of several lenses of different colors and placed in a corner facing the tree. Color wheels are a little harder to find, so be prepared to spend a little more if you come across one.

Now, if you don't have any luck whatsoever locating authentic vintage ornaments, or simply do not want to go on a 'hunt' for antiques, a box of glass Christmas balls in a single color would be just perfect. Prefered colors for an antique tree would be pink and silver, blue and silver, or pink and lime green. Trust me, these funky colors work, as they are fitting with the 'Atomic Age' look which is the era aluminum Christmas trees are from. Also, alternate the sizes of the balls so it isn't redunant.

As an ardent lover of antiques and Christmas time, I go all out when it comes to my tree. These festive decorations from Christmases past always put me in the holiday spirit, and my friends and family always ask me if I can decorate for them every year. I am always finding inspiration on my antique hunts and I hope I have given you all some great ideas for decorating a vintage aluminum Christmas tree. Have a very Merry Christmas filled with vintage cheer!