Our Vintage 1950s Aluminum Christmas Tree

Photo of vintage tree from Go Retro.

Aluminum trees were first manufactured in the late 1950s.  We never had one, but an aunt had one, and I thought it was very pretty. The tree consists of a center pole with holes drilled in at an angle, to which branches covered in aluminum "needles" are attached. By placing the branches in the holes, a tree shape is formed.  A rotating color wheel is used to light the tree, because it's not safe to put electric lights on it. 

The trees were in common usage until the late 1960s when they fell out of favor. Today, however, they are once again becoming popular with collectors.  Check out this blog, Go Retro,  for more information about these trees.  Pink aluminum trees are very rare - according to AluminumChristmasTrees.net, only one out of every 10,000 trees made during their height in popularity were pink.

Our vintage aluminum Christmas tree at Chatfield house.

After we furnished our Chatfield house living/dining room with vintage 50s furniture and accessories, I began my search for one of these trees.  Luckily several years ago I found one in an antique shop. It is in perfect condition, and it even has the rotating color wheel.  Most holidays I set up and decorate this vintage tree in the Chatfield house as I did the other day when I was in Cleveland County.

Among My Fav-o-rite Things: Vintage Items at Chatfield

I enjoyed spending a few days in Cleveland County last week in our little Chatfield house.  We have much of the living and dining area furnished in vintage mid-century. Here are some things I like there:

1940s buffet.

1950s hatbox, 1940s teapot, and old microscope in bookcase. The early red tv not sure what vintage, my three-year-old granddaughter Grace, said: "I like your new microwave."

1950s chair with bark cloth cushion.  I like the "blonde" furniture of the 50s.

1950s candle holders.

Okay, I know these aren't vintage, but I like my red crocs.