Today I am sharing the next Tree in our 12 Trees of Christmas- a vintage tinsel sprinkled Christmas Tree -along with a story about the first Christmas with my husband. A story I shared a few years ago- about tinsel and how we had such different tree decorating styles -even when we first met. This tree is somewhat sparsely decorated- and somewhat not. A true mix and mingle.
A Vintage Tinsel Inspired Christmas Tree
It was our first Christmas together. I had moved to Montana after graduating high school- I was hoping to find new adventures and something different from the ‘city’ area I had grown up in. I wanted countryside and horses & *maybe* to meet a handsome cowboy. 🙂 I had driven across country to Colorado, through Wyoming and landed in Montana where I met my husband. He had just recently returned from serving almost a year in Desert Storm and we met at work and a few months later when it was Thanksgiving time- he took me out into the mountains with him to find the perfect tree to cut down.
Off we went in my jeep on the quest for our perfect trees. And that was where our first Christmas style differences popped up.
The Perfect Christmas Tree
He found the biggest, chubbiest, most full tree he could fit into his house. And me? Well, I found the spindliest most sparse little wispy tree that had all that Charlie Brown personality for my apartment. He was not impressed with my tree that looked more like a ‘branch’ and I wondered where he was going to fit a tree that was 87′ across and 3′ too tall in his living room haha.
He dropped me and my wee tree off and we both spent the afternoon decorating our trees before he picked me up for dinner. When I walked into his house, I will admit that I laughed a little bit inside at his tree that was stuffed into the corner. It looked like a big tree full of silvery sparkly tinsel-maybe a little like I had stepped into a casino in Las Vegas. haha. As he showed me the tree- he picked the stray tinsel off of the carpet, the sofa, the fireplace and tossed it right back on the tree. He was so excited and I was sure there really was a real tree under all those many colorful lights and silver strands of tinsel. My little wispy Charlie Brown tree had maybe a couple little paper snowflakes and twinkly clear lights on it. I knew when he saw it- he was going to think it was definitely lacking some pizazz.
But I will admit- I loved the way that he put so much of his heart into decorating his tinsel covered tree. The way it sparkled and shined and filled the room with all that Christmas ambiance. I looked at him and his enthusiastic love of tinsel on each and every branch and fell in love with a man that loved the magic of Christmas as much as I do.
Vintage Tinsel Time
It has been awhile since we had any tinsel in the house. And he doesn’t really decorate the trees anymore but he does help set them up with me – and he is all about the more the merrier. So this year- kind of like last year when I decided to use colorful Christmas lights instead of white lights- I told him that I was bringing some of his tinsel tree dreams back.
And so, a little box of tinsel arrived the other day- and I asked him if he wanted to go throw some tinsel on the tree I was getting ready to photograph. Side note: This tree is not actually the tree I bought the tinsel for- but of course, that silvery magic had to happen on this one too. So he is really going to have some tinsel fun this season. 🙂
This tree is all about Christmas magic but it doesn’t have a ton of things on it. It only has a few silver, gold and white ornaments on it. Along with a few little surprises- like vintage silver angels, starry night ornaments and dainty blue velvet ribbons. And a bit of vintage tinsel Christmas Tree inspiration.
Silver Angels on the Christmas Tree
These didn’t start out as ornaments as you can probably tell. But you know, I found a bag of them at the thrift store and instantly thought of using them on the tree. They are napkin rings- all little silver angels holding something different- like candles or a book.
They are so charming- and I just love how they add that sparkle to the tree. There are also a couple larger candlestick holders that I found at a different thrift store – that kind of felt like they belonged here too. I really wasn’t trying to focus on an angel theme- they just seemed to be a theme that happened. And I think after the past 2 years of crazy and anxiety and everything else the world has had- maybe they help make it feel like they are watching over everyone.
LED Candles
Another nod to that vintage nostalgia- I love these little LED candles on the tree.
I have had these for several years and love that they are remote operated and each individual instead of wired- which makes it easy to clip them on the branches wherever you want to without worrying about tucking wires. And they change colors and have different levels of brightness.
Stars and Ribbons
A theme over this year for sure- lots of stars and pretty ribbons are decorating the twinkling trees in the house. And nope, they aren’t done yet. These are dainty velvet ribbons that are a soft shade of blue gray – and you just might see them on another tree this year. This tree currently is in the staircase landing area next to the built in bookshelves and the floral armoire. So I wanted to keep it more neutral to fit the room and common areas- and kept it covered in silver, gold, vintage blue and whites.
And a little tinsel
But just a bit. haha. I only ordered one box of silver and white for the tinsel tree this year- and this is actually not the tree I planned to put it on. There is just a shimmer shine of tinsel on this one and it is actually a nice touch since this room doesn’t have a lot of natural light and so- in person that tinsel really lights the up even more so.
Along with that tree I originally planned to use the tinsel on- I have a couple bold and beautiful trees I am working on this week- so stay tuned for the next tree in the series coming your way – and tomorrow sharing a favorite fudge cookie recipe that I just made for Thanksgiving again.
Shop the look
Christmas Tree | Blue Velvet Ribbon | Angel Napkin rings |
Tree Candles | Tinsel | Silver ornaments | Angel Candle Holders
SALES : Don’t miss the incredible Cyber Monday deals at Balsam Hill- you can see all their latest savings HERE .
And you can find some of my gift and everyday favorites in my Amazon storefront HERE
Stay tuned for one of my favorite trees this year so far- a beautiful pearl and gold inspired tree, plus another vintage inspired look, and a bold and beautiful tree coming your way in the next week. You can see all the trees in this years 12 Trees series so far HERE.
Happy Monday all.
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I’ve always loved tinsel on a tree, but have let it fall by the way since we resorted to an artificial tree. I’m 71 years old and still have a sweet memory of my best friend’s tree (when we were teens) which was decorated by her truck-driver daddy. He had lovingly place each piece of tinsel on the tree, and there must have been thousands of pieces. It was beautiful! I still hold on to a vintage box of tinsel that I found in my mother-in-law’s decorations. I hope your husband enjoys “his tree”! it’s beautiful!
Hi Courtney! I enjoyed your tinsel Christmas story of you and your husband in years past. I bet he was ticked that you brought tinsel back, and I just say you did it proud. That tree style wouldn’t be as beautiful without it. 😉 Ever so subtly ads a sparkle. My hubby and I are celebrating our 30th wedding Anniversary tomorrow and some Christmas magic! 🙂
My mom had the original real aluminum tinsel, which was reusable. It was thin but heavy.
The tinsel really gives off a lot of light. I really like the nostalgia of it. I can’t wait for the next tree.
I love this tree. Simple ELEGANCE at ITS Finest . Happy Holidays!
When I was a kid, we always used tinsel…it was the thing to do. But my mom would get upset with our “installation method”. 😉 We kids simply wanted to just throw it by the handful onto the tree. Mom said we were supposed to take individual strands (or maybe two or three at the most) and hang them gently on the branches.
Welll….needless to say, that put quite a damper on tinsel for me for many years. To me the fun was in throwing it on the tree. (haha!) This year I used a little iridescent tinsel on a little tiny tree and in tabletop vignettes…it does lend sparkle even if there are no lights!
I have two of those silver angels you have and they are actually made as tree ornaments. They don’t get pulled out every year but do so look pretty with a silver theme and some other color.
This is just the most beautiful tree Courtney. I would never have thought to put tinsel on the tree like we did growing up but boy does it work. Love it.
Your trees are always lovely. This year I used large colored lights and 150 ornaments (most ANTIQUE balls) and tinsel I Have such wonderful memories of using tinsel and always putting one at a time on the branches. I ESPECIALLY like when the tinsel sways BECAUSE thE AIR-CONDITIONING vents blowing on the tree. (We live in Fl now). TRYING to FIND tinsel was DIFFICULT BECAUSE the salespeople were young And had never heard of it:)). I love all your Decorating! Happy holidays.