History Lesson: The Aluminum Christmas Tree

Jeni Sandberg is a dealer, appraiser and consultant in 20th century design. She has worked in museums, was a Senior Specialist at Christie’s, and also appears on WGBH’s Antiques Roadshow. She writes about fun objects on her blog. In this series, she will explore the history of decorative objects. Today’s subject: that shiny symbol of mid-century holiday cheer, the aluminum Christmas tree.

Charlie Brown introduced me to aluminum Christmas trees, though I didn’t really know it. A Charlie Brown Christmas has aired on television every year since it premiered in 1965, and when I was young it was a much anticipated part of the holidays. At one point in the show, Lucy sends Charlie out to buy a big aluminum Christmas tree, preferably one that was pink, for their school play. My parents were antique dealers and favored decor closer to Colonial Williamsburg than mid-century modern, so we always had a real tree — there were no other options. A big pink tree was unimaginable, a sort of Christmas unicorn that existed only in stories.

Courtesy of J. Shimon and J. Lindemann

Pink tree with Shiny Brite ornaments.

In the 1960s, the aluminum Christmas tree enjoyed a brief but spectacular period of popularity. They were novel and different, something shiny and modern that spoke of a new era. The trees ranged from two to eight feet high, and while most were silver, aluminum trees were available in pink, gold, teal and flocked versions. They could be mechanized and illuminated and insured that your Christmas decor would be the finest on the block.

Artificial trees were not unheard of — feather trees dated back to the 19th century and bottle brush trees were patented in the 1930s. Aluminum was considered a rare metal in the 19th century and was more costly than gold or silver per ounce, but mining processes improved and by the 20th century the metal was far more commonly used. Lightweight and reflective, aluminum would prove to be an ideal medium for this Christmas decoration.

Courtesy of J. Shimon and J. Lindemann

Assembling the aluminum tree.

Though there were manufacturers in several parts of the United States, the great preponderance of commercially-made aluminum trees were created by the Aluminum Specialty Company of Manitowoc, Wisconsin. When their “Evergleam” line debuted in 1959, many embraced the shiny trees as an expression of the new Atomic Age. The trees appealed to a Jetsons-style notion of modern living where life was clean, automated and easy; with an aluminum tree, needles never fell, it could be stored compactly and re-used every year, with none of the fuss of a real tree.

Aluminum Christmas trees were festive enough to stand alone, but they were often decorated with sets of brightly colored glass ornaments made by manufacturers such as Shiny Brite. Wide hooks on the ornaments were recommended so as to not crush the aluminum needles.

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Another important accessory was the color wheel. Because adding strings of lights to an aluminum tree was a fire hazard (metal tree + electrical sockets and wiring = not safe), another means of lighting the tree was developed. The color wheel was a device that sat on the floor next to the tree and shone a spotlight on the branches. A slowly spinning panel of translucent colors created a constant variety of effects on the reflective surface of the tree. Two wheels could be used simultaneously to heighten the effect.

Courtesy of J. Shimon and J. Lindemann

An aluminum tree with psychedelic color wheel.

If deluxe lighting were not enough for you, the color wheel could be coupled with a special base that slowly rotated the entire tree. Some bases were mirrored or included music boxes with a favorite Christmas carol for a full multimedia experience.

Charlie Brown may be in part to blame for the decline of the popularity of the aluminum Christmas tree. His small, scraggly evergreen was seen as superior to the gaudy aluminum version: a triumph of the true and authentic over the fake and commercial. The 1965 airing of his Christmas special occurred at the peak of aluminum tree production, as the trend was reaching its saturation point.

Allison Marchant

Christmas, 1963.

Certainly, the more extreme a style, the shorter its life span, and aluminum trees were decidedly not subtle. As the 1960s progressed, tastes changed towards an earthier style and the manufacture of aluminum trees slowed. Evergleam ceased production in 1969, and by the early 1970s aluminum trees were a thing of the past. Appreciation for the trees has increased in recent years, though, and they have become very collectible, especially when found complete and in good condition.

Aluminum Christmas tree images generously provided by the authors of Seasons Gleamings:  The Art of the Aluminum Christmas Tree.