Feminist Take: The Vintage Aluminum Christmas Tree

How a mid-century holiday icon reflects women’s roles in consumer culture and domestic life.

Our vintage aluminum Christmas tree

In the 1960s, the aluminum Christmas tree glittered and glitzed its way into American homes, quickly becoming a symbol of both the “modern” times and of convenience. For a brief period, the vintage aluminum Christmas tree captured the spirit of the mid-century “space age” aesthetic trend and brought it crashing into the holiday season.

And for my own annual holiday party one year, themed as a mid-century costume bash in honor of the 50th “birthday” of my mid-century ranch, my husband and I borrowed a fantastically shiny, gaudy silver aluminum tree from my in-laws, and it was an instant hit. At least, that’s how I remember it.

But beyond the retro ethos which was perfect for our party, the tree made me reflect on my husband’s family; on his grandmother’s life and what led her to choose this exact tree (reflective silver, with a rotating color wheel that no longer works) for her own home. Eventually, this led me to ponder the history and cultural significance of aluminum trees in general.

A Space Age Holiday Icon: The History of the Aluminum Christmas Tree

The vintage aluminum Christmas tree first emerged in 1958 by the Aluminum Specialty Company in Manitowoc, Wisconsin. This sleek and high-shine alternative to the traditional evergreen tree resonated with the people of the day, who shared a collective fascination with space exploration and technological innovation. And with no maintenance needed (no watering or sweeping up errant pine needles for months), aluminum trees promised ease and instant glamor, quickly becoming a hit in American households.

Aluminum trees often came in a selection of fun colors, including silver, gold, green or pink, and were generally paired with a rotating color wheel to reflect bright hues onto their high-shine “needles”. This minimalist yet futuristic “mid-mod” look was a strong departure from the naturalistic styles of traditional holiday decor.

By the early 1960s, aluminum trees were everywhere, marketed as stylish, modern and practical – a perfect fit for the (cough, cough, female) modern homemaker of the day.

Women, Consumer Culture and the Vintage Aluminum Christmas Tree

Mid-century advertising heavily targeted women, reflecting and reinforcing their roles as the primary decision maker for household purchases. Aluminum trees fit neatly into the “convenience culture” of the ‘50s and ‘60s, where products were designed to save time. Advertisements for aluminum trees emphasized ease of setup, lack of maintenance and a modern flair, all features that caught the eye of busy housewives managing the complexities of holiday traditions on top of their daily domestic chores.

Subverting Tradition?

For some women, an aluminum tree may have represented a bold break from the confines of tradition. The shimmering, modernist aesthetic of aluminum trees is a sharp contrast to the rustic vibe of natural evergreen trees. Opting for an aluminum tree may have allowed some women to redefine holiday decor in their homes, reflecting a willingness to embrace change.

During the aluminum tree's heyday, some women expressed their creativity by decorating them in unique, nontraditional ways. Custom kits and vibrant accessories encouraged this trend, blending elements of mass production with those of personal flair. This reflects a broader trend I’ve seen of women finding unexpected avenues to express their individuality within the confines of mid-century domesticity.

From Kitsch to Collectible: Aluminum Trees Today

My vintage aluminum Christmas tree staged for our mid-century-themed holiday party

The popularity of aluminum trees declined in the 1970s as tastes shifted back to more natural styles. PVC artificial trees, which looked more “real”, became the new standard. In fact, my own family had one of those “real-looking” fake Christmas trees during my childhood in the ‘80s and ‘90s (actually they still have it now). Part of our annual tradition was hauling the dusty, heavy thing up out of the basement , unpacking it and bending the twisted branches back into an acceptable shape.

In more recent years, aluminum trees have seen a resurgence among vintage enthusiasts like myself as well as retro holiday collectors. Today, original Evergleam models are highly sought after, as these glittery trees are prized for their uniquely mid-century nostalgia.

Our holiday party had given me the perfect excuse to incorporate my husband’s family’s vintage aluminum Christmas tree into our home – and after writing this article, we’ve decided to put it up again this year for our young son to experience (in addition to a real tree). In the end, one vintage aluminum Christmas tree became more than just a decoration; it started a conversation about tradition, history and what these delightful treasures tell us about the lives of women of the day.

Side note: