The Shiny Tinsel Tree
Artificial tinsel trees are a common sight in homes nowadays, but the first artificial tabletop trees of the 19th century were made from goose feathers, which were dyed green and wound onto sticks, and these were then attached as branches onto a larger stick, which acted as the trunk.
The first metallic Christmas trees were introduced in the late fifties and these were strips of aluminium or aluminium-coated paper attached to metal poles, which were then suspended from a central wood or aluminium pole. These trees posed a great fire hazard, especially if used with lights, so families used to use a spotlight or floodlight to illuminate their tree, sometimes with a motorised rotating colour wheel to give the effect of different coloured lights
Today, the majority of tinsel trees is made from flame-retardant materials and so can safely be used with lights. However, there are always unscrupulous traders who sell Christmas trees which do not meet safety standards, so always make sure any tinsel tree you buy is fire-retardant and meets all other safety requirements. One advantage an artificial tree has over a real tree is that a real tree poses more of a fire hazard, due to the drying-out process.
The artificial tinsel Christmas tree is ideal for those who have an allergy to real trees and they can be used year upon year. Aside from these practical advantages, the tinsel tree looks very attractive and decorative, with its shiny branches twinkling in the light.
The tinsel tree comes in many styles and colours, including black and purple, so the buyer is spoilt for choice. Some tinsel trees are pre-lit, adding to their attractiveness, and save the owner the hassle of adding their own. Some of the more contemporary ‘pop-up’ Christmas trees simply consist of tinsel wrapped around a wire frame, and these are surprisingly effective.
