Needing to get out after several days at home over Thanksgiving, I decided to go by my favorite antique/flea market. Now, I know Christmas has been in the stores since before Halloween, but I choose to ignore that. I pretty much refuse to go near the Christmas section of stores until after Thanksgiving. I can't ignore the Christmas music that has been playing for weeks, but that doesn't bother me. I could listen to Christmas music all year long and in fact I have played Christmas songs in the summer before! Anyway, back to the story. As I walked through the doors I was greeted by a wonderful display of Christmas, old and new. Honestly, I couldn't stop smiling!
There were trees and ornaments and snowmen and Santas. I really liked this rather tall statue of Santa and the children until I looked at his eyes...what eyes? Where are the pupils in his eyes? With all the details in his beard, why are his eyes blank? The more you look at him, he gets rather spooky!
This aluminum tree brought back many memories. We had one for several years. They were the rage in the late 50's till the early 60's. The tree assembled in about 15 minutes. Then you added the balls and garland; no lights as they might short circuit against the aluminum! Our tree was illuminated with a rotating color wheel which was placed at the base. No lights!! I could not live with that! My tree has around 200 little lights on in and I carefully wrap and place them along each branch. I love a tree full of multi-colored lights!
I found this advertisement from the Sears Christmas book in 1963.
"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. Shimmery 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."
I can remember thinking we were so modern to have an aluminum tree! My mom still has our old tree and for nostalgic purposes put it up last year! Makes me feel a little old to realize they're antique and are found in several museums. Museums? That makes me feel ancient!
Notice the heart-shaped little ornament on the right? Yes, this is the booth where I found the ornament garland I used in the pictures for my last post.
This week I found a little Christmas that put a smile on my face and delight in my heart.
I hope you're finding delight in this special season!
Linked with Kim Klassan's
Friday Finds
Oh I remember aluminum trees. We never had one, but my husband's family used one of the white plastic ones. Happy that times have changed and we're all using the green one. Lovely set of photos.
ReplyDeleteSuch a happy post -- remembering your holidays past and enjoying the season with its music and good cheer.
ReplyDeleteWhat elegant finds for the Holiday Season in your delightful excursion to the antique store ~
ReplyDeleteHappy Weekend
artmusedog and carol
Oh yeah aluminum were all the rage when I was growing up and the color wheel that went along with it to give it different colors. I agree with one of your posters a Happy post that everyone needs this time of year.
ReplyDeleteHi Cathy, My eye went immediately to that old truck with wire wheels. I've never had an artificial tree, but this year, I don't think we'll have a real one either - we'll be away for Christmas.
ReplyDeleteOh, my goodness! Does that bring back memories that made me smile! We had the exact same aluminum tree with the rotating light as well! I thought it was the very height of "cool".
ReplyDeleteHey there is stuff that I had as a kid that is in antique stores now, so it doesn't matter how old you are. Love the idea of the aluminum tree.
ReplyDeleteLove the look back. I know you had a good time.
ReplyDeleteWell you certainly did find Christmas! I too ignore these sections of the shops when they start appearing as early as October. I love that last flowery image.
ReplyDeleteThis brought back memories! My mom thought aluminum trees were tacky, but my best friend had one. They would decorate it with a different color of new glass balls each year. I thought that family was a lot more modern and "hip" than mine, but as much as I admired them, I never did think an aluminum Christmas tree was quite right. I loved our REAL tree - a fragrant fir with colored lights and ornaments collected over many years. Wish I could visit your flea market - it looks wonderful! I should go check mine out to see if they've done anything for Christmas.
ReplyDeleteOh, yes ... you found some beautiful Christmas! But I agree, that Santa's eyes are a bit creepy. Yes, I remember the craze of the aluminum Christmas trees. We kids begged our mother to get one but she refused. Smart lady. :-D)))
ReplyDeleteWe're having a slow start to the Christmas season this year--getting the tree up TODAY is a must-do item. I'm with you on lots of colored lights on the tree--one of the best parts of the season.
ReplyDeletenice!!! my kinda' place!!!!
ReplyDeleteCathy, I always love it when my friends invite me along on a shopping trip . . . I had fun going along with you! I'm planning to head out today for a little Christmas inspiration, too - thank goodness for antique malls! Love your images, and especially the story of the aluminum tree - which I see in all the vintage shops now! I'm vintage, too!
ReplyDelete