A Silvery Christmas Tree

For a glittering alternative to the usual Christmas tree, try a sparkling aluminum Christmas tree. Aluminum trees had their hey day in the 1960s, and we remember them as being kitschy, even tacky. But the reality is that decorated with taste, aluminum trees can be the ultimate in style.

1. Where to buy a tree

Aluminum trees are plentiful on eBay, and they can be purchased all year round. Just search “aluminum Christmas tree” and you’ll be presented with many choices. They go for as little as $50 up to $400 for a tall, full tree. As with real trees, there are many varieties of aluminum ones. One type of tree is the taper tree, in which the top branches are shorter than the bottom ones. The taper tree tends to look a little fuller and more realistic (if that’s possible for a metal tree).

Another type of tree, and one that’s more common, is the kind in which all the branches are the same length. The tree shape is then created by the angle the branches are inserted into the trunk. This tree will provide a more nostalgic look. You would definitely want a rotating color wheel to go with it. The aluminum tree pictured here is an 8-foot taper tree.

2. How to decorate it:

First of all, don’t put lights on it. You will electrocute yourself and get a bad perm. Besides, the great thing about aluminum trees is that they sparkle on their own. The next thing to do is decide on a color scheme. I recommend a monochromatic silver palette. You may be thinking, that’s a lot of silver on silver. But trust me, the look is sophisticated and effervescent.

Start by draping silvery ribbon along the branches. Try two contrasting ribbons to add more visual interest. Select ornaments that together create a monochromatic silver palette. This does not mean that all the ornaments need to be the same color, no no no, only that they should be in the same family. Ornaments that are silver, clear glass, white, and cream all would blend together beautifully. In fact, the occasional steel blue ornament gives the tree depth and dimension. Make a bow out of the silver ribbon and place it on the top of the tree. And finally, buy two to three yards of silvery fabric and drape it around the bottom as a tree skirt.