In his search for the "true meaning of Christmas," Charlie Brown denounced the then popular aluminum Christmas tree during his 1965 holiday television special. His sentiments resonated with America so loudly he actually ended an almost decade-long trend in bright, shiny trees. Well I hate to break it you, but...sorry, Charlie - metallics are back, and I not-so-secretly love them.
Every year, my Grandmother set up a few Christmas trees in her home. Though the main attraction was the classically decorated Blue Spruce, my favorite was always her white, metallic six-footer, decorated only in red ornaments. I love the idea of an extra tree on a tabletop or in a secondary room that you can go crazy on and decorate however your creative heart desires. Having first come into fashion around 1959, the metallic tree experienced a slump for several decades. But with more and more retailers offering aluminum and metallic trees at reasonable prices, the words from the 1963 Sears Christmas Book seem more enticing than ever:
“Whether you decorate with blue or red balls . . . or use the tree without ornaments - this exquisite tree is sure to be the talk of your neighborhood. High luster aluminum gives a dazzling brilliance. Shimmering silvery branches are swirled and tapered to a handsome realistic fullness. It's really durable . . needles are glued and mechanically locked on. Fireproof . . you can use it year after year.”
Images:
1. Metallic Christmas Tree Roundup
2. Kurt S. Adler 4-Foot Pink Shaggy Tree, $52.15 at Amazon.com
3. Aluminum Slim Christmas Tree, starting at $344.99 at ChristmasTreesGalore.com
4. Blue Paradise Tinsel Slim Pre-lit Christmas Tree, $189 at ChristmasTreesGalore.com
5. Prelit Pencil Tree, $79.99-$299.00 at Target.com
6. 3’ Metallic Tree available in Green, $34 at Urban Outfitters
7. 3’ Metallic Tree available in Assorted Colors, $34 at Urban Outfitters
8. Black Pre-Lit 3.5' Pomona Pine Artificial Christmas Tree, $18 at Walmart.com
Apartment Therapy's Sofa Shopping Guide
Nikki’s Sweet and Cheery Print Studio
Good Food to Share 
The Big Book of Small, Cool Spaces 
Apartment Therapy Presents 
The Eight-Step Home Cure 
Stanley Console by ...
5 Things Paris Taught Me About Travel
Recipe: Ham, Cheddar & Chive Egg Bakes
Not sure if they're doing it this year, but for many years Brevard, NC (and Asheville, NC) have hosted The Aluminum Christmas Tree Museum. Info at http://www.aluminumtree.com/ - last info is for 2009. Sparkle-ey!
My first adult Christmas tree was aluminum. And though it was sort of small, it was gorgeous! We used a color wheel instead of string lights (a big no-no on aluminum trees), and the lighting was awesome! A homemade Sputnik tree topper, a garland chain cut of rings from holographic paper, and a few select retro ornaments made it perfect.
You can see pictures!
Here and Here and Here
Sorry but I'm staunchly with Charley Brown on this one.
I'm with Charlie too. No fake plants in my home...
My favorite part of Christmas has always been the big real tree (and subsequent scent the house gets). Last year we got a table top tree because we had a young puppy---a puppy who it turned out is allergic to christmas trees. So this year, we are going full on artificial---7' tall red!
I'm adamantly opposed to the fake Christmas trees. Sorry everyone. The way they are manufactured and the amount of oil by-products that goes into them is unreal. Not only is it not good for the environment, but unsafe for the workers who are making them as well. Then, after several years of use (4 is the average) you toss them into the landfill! I don't think so. Live trees are the BEST because they can be re-planted. Cut trees are also better because they can be composted and ground into mulch for later use. If you desire a FAKE tree this year, get one made out of cardboard or wood like these:
http://www.designpublic.com/filigrantrae-danish-wooden-christmas-tree
http://thecardboardtree.com/
Take a look at the wooden tree example. Anyone with a hammer can make it themselves.
Thanks for the post. My hubby and I grew up with artificial trees and I love them for their longevity. The one we bought to celebrate our first Christmas as husband and wife is a black, pre-lit artificial tree from Target and we love it. For an apartment it does just fine, and when we buy a home and we're tired of it, we can always put it in the basement or donate it. I couldn't see putting it in the trash. As for the lack of " fresh pine smell", we can deal.We love plug-ins and candles!
For years I was adamant about having only real Christmas trees until I started dating my hubby who is allergic. Now all I get is a wreath at the door. :(
My dad still has his original artificial tree purchased in the 70s and we just had to get a new one a few years ago since the one I'd been using for over 10 years broke and couldn't be repaired.
Hubby and I both love real ones, but we already have the artificial one so we will alternate using artificial/real until the artificial one bites the dust... and it's in really good shape so I could see using it for another 20 years!
Best part about the artificial is that they do set up pretty easy and no needles or "tree beer." (hubby didn't get my mixture of tree/water/aspirin/sprite for extending the life of the cut tree... and put in mostly sprite instead of water, and sugar will ferment. Oh there was a strong smell around the ol' tree that year, and it was NOT pine scented!)
Totally with Charlie Brown on this one. Ugg to fake trees. (Supporting real tree's supports tree farmers too!)
Can you recycle aluminum trees? o.O
Who throws their trees out after 4 years? My childhood fake tree was over 20 years old and my current one is about 10 and still going strong!