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Tinsel Covered Trees are Back!

December 12, 2021  Christmas | Uncategorized

The word tinsel comes from an Old French word “estincele”, which means sparkle. When I was a kid, we hung tinsel on our Christmas tree … one strand at a time!  Tinsel covered trees bring back so many memories and I love that they are making a big comeback! I’m so excited to share some of the most jaw dropping tinsel trees from here to the North Pole.

Tinsel dates back to 1610 Nuremberg, Germany where it was made using REAL SILVER that was pounded into very thin strands. It reflected the candlelight (yes, they used real candles on their trees back in the day!) Needless to say, it was EXPENSIVE not to mention that it would turn black and break when exposed to heat from the candles.

Over the years, other materials like lead were used to make tinsel but today, it’s made from PVC (plastic) coated in a metallic finish. Plastic tinsel does not hang as well as tinsel made from heavy metals such as silver and lead but life is a trade off after all (new tinsel is affordable and we won’t die from lead poisoning)!

This Christmas tree is covered in antique metal tinsel that drips from its branches! Hundreds of Shiny Brite ornaments and an old glass tree topper add to the nostalgic feel of this tree from Vintage Holiday who says, “This is my favorite tree I’ve ever done and I couldn’t be happier with how it turned out.”

The best tinsel covered trees - love this stunning Christmas tree dripping with tinsel and vintage Shiny Brite ornaments kellyelko.com

Vintage Holiday does it again with this tabletop tree covered in antique lead tinsel. I love it paired with big, colorful bulb lights!

He takes vintage Christmas to the max with his collections of Putz houses, bottle brush trees, Christmas cards strung on garland, and blow molds!

Love this little tabletop tinsel covered tree covered in retro, colorful bulbs and vintage ornaments kellyelko.com

Sean of Sean Anderson Design tree is dripping in tinsel!

Stunning Christmas tree covered in tinsel kellyelko.com

Erika of While Florian Sleeps draped tinsel over a fully decorated tree, that includes lots of vintage ornaments, for a lush look.

“To me, Christmas is a time for nostalgia and magic. Some of these ornaments date back to the 1940’s which is incredible!!! Each is so unique and holds many memories of Christmases past,” says Erika.

Tinsel covered Christmas tree covered in vintage glass ornaments kellyelko.com

Says Natalie Paramore about her tinsel tree …

“1,200 warm lights⁣
16,000 strands of tinsel⁣
Not a single ornament ⁣
Willow, you’re perfect⁣
⁣
Willow is the name of our tree that she had when we got her. This year I was feeling something different for our tree. As we pulled down all the boxes from the attic full of decor and ornaments, I just wasn’t feeling inspired. Most of the ornaments have been gifted to us or passed down. And while they are very sentimental and I’ll never get rid of them, this year, I just needed something different. ⁣So, the boxes went back to the attic. Tinsel and lights galore were purchased and here we are. Couldn’t love it more.”

Christmas tree dripping in tinsel kellyelko.com

Dana of Adored House says, “I wasn’t going to do it, but I did it – I tried my hand at a tinsel tree! I’m already slightly regretting it, but there’s no turning back now! It sure is pretty though.”

I love Dana’s color palette of silver, gold and green on her beautiful tinsel tree.

Love this nostalgic Christmas tree covered in tinsel and gold and silver ornaments kellyelko.com

Marcela Sampson’s tinsel covered tree is the perfect hiding place for her toddler! What fun Christmas memories this kid is going to have!

Christmas tree covered from head to toe in tinsel kellyelko.com

Designer J.P. Horton shares his grandparents 1948 tinsel covered Christmas tree.

1940's tinsel covered Christmas tree kellyelko.com

Let’s all channel our inner Cary Grant and Loretta Young in the Bishop’s Wife and create the most epic tinsel tree of all time!

The Bishop's Wife Tinsel Covered Christmas Tree kellyelko.com

Are you team tinsel or does the thought of hanging strand after strand of tinsel on each and every branch send you into Christmas cookie eating frenzy to self soothe?

A few years ago, my friend gave me some antique lead tinsel and it’s stunning! I don’t have enough to cover an entire tree but a girl can dream.

I always find vintage tinsel at the thrift store (not the antique, lead kind unfortunately) but if you can’t find any locally, you can find affiliate boxes of new tinsel here.

Love vintage Christmas?

Very Vintage Christmas Home Tour Here

More Vintage Christmas Decorating Inspiration Here

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« Previous: Eclectic Home Tour – Christmas at Tatertots and Jello
Next: 12 Creative Christmas Decorating Ideas from Here to the North Pole! »

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Comments

  1. Debbie

    December 12, 2021 at 6:59 am

    I’m old enough to remember putting tinsel on our tree one at a time! It’s fun to look at the photos, The trees are so pretty, however, my tinsel days will remain fond memories. This year I’ve noticed many people are craving simplicity. I’m going in for knee surgery tomorrow so I limited my decorating to greens, small trees, candles and fairy lights. This way I won’t feel pressure at the end of the month to put things away, lol. So I left all my beloved decorations in the trunk. There’s always next year. Thanks for sharing all the eye candy. Have a wonderful holiday season.

    Reply
    • Lisa K.

      December 12, 2021 at 8:15 am

      Good luck with your surgery Debbie! 💜

      Reply
      • Debbie

        December 12, 2021 at 3:18 pm

        Thank you so much❤️

        Reply
        • Lisa K.

          December 19, 2021 at 3:27 pm

          You’re welcome!

          Reply
    • Kelly Elko

      December 12, 2021 at 9:24 am

      I’ve definitely went much simpler for Christmas too this year Debbie! I have so many bins in my basement that need to be purged!

      Reply
    • Kelly Elko

      December 12, 2021 at 9:25 am

      And hope you have a speedy recovery Debbie!

      Reply
      • Debbie

        December 12, 2021 at 3:21 pm

        Thank you❤️ I should be a new woman soon!

        Reply
  2. SUSAN E OSBORNE

    December 12, 2021 at 7:50 am

    The trees are lovely BUT highly dangerous for pets and small children. Flocked trees are also a no no for pets. Cats especially will eat the tinsel, and it can lodge in their digestive tracts- I know of cases where the tinsel had to be pulled from the poor cat’s rectum, one strand at a time. Flocking can be toxic as well.

    Reply
    • Kelly Elko

      December 12, 2021 at 9:24 am

      Definitely need to be careful if people have pets or kids!

      Reply
  3. Lisa K.

    December 12, 2021 at 8:14 am

    Wow, these are all incredible!! Thank you for sharing and I always love when you share history with us. I love learning new things!

    Reply
    • Kelly Elko

      December 12, 2021 at 9:25 am

      It’s fun to learn a little something about something vintage!

      Reply
  4. Marlene Stephenson

    December 12, 2021 at 2:52 pm

    Tree’s dripping with tinsel are so pretty and I am glad it’s back. It makes a tree so dreamy and glamorous. When I was young my brother would make me so made, he’d just throw globs of it on our tree, I of course would pick them up and do it right, memories lol!!!

    Reply
    • Kelly Elko

      December 12, 2021 at 5:00 pm

      Boys!!

      Reply
  5. Penny Spencer

    December 14, 2021 at 7:34 pm

    Oh, I absolutely LOVE tinsel on a big fat chubby Christmas Tree! I don’t use it cuz husband doesn’t like it but I am drooling over the first tree you show! Thanks for the memories. Merry Christmas.

    Reply
    • Kelly Elko

      December 14, 2021 at 8:22 pm

      Merry Christmas Penny!

      Reply
  6. Kathie Payne

    December 15, 2021 at 5:13 am

    Hey Kelly! Great posts! Can you tell me where your houses in the snow are located? I’d love to feature them! @digs_and_dwellings

    Reply

KELLY

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Join me as I decorate my 100 year old home, scour thrift stores, create pretty things, putter in my peony and hydrangea filled garden, and mix up a mean cocktail all with a touch of sarcasm and a side of bacon - Cheers!



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Love where you live by mixing high and low, new and old to create a home that shows off your personality. My mantra ... simple projects equals more time for cocktails!
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