This holiday season, wistful holiday nostalgia surrounds me more than ever before. One of my favorite childhood Christmas memories is the annual unpacking of the Christmas decorations. Unwrapping the sparkling ornaments, remembering favorite pieces, and listening (again!) to their origin stories is a poignant touchstone from my youth. And, some of my favorite pieces were the tiny village houses and vintage bottle brush trees carefully preserved from my mother’s own childhood.
The tiny cardboard houses, with their spangled roofs, charming picket fences, and cellophane windows were reverently placed under the decorated tree amidst a sea of cotton batting “snow” dotted with vintage bottle brush trees. Arranging the village – just so – was the final finishing touch to a delightful evening spent decking the halls.
The history of these miniature trees goes back to the 1930s according to House Beautiful magazine. And, their popularity surged again in the 1980s when Kurt Adler released a series of bottle brush ornaments featuring characters like a clown, Santa, and snowman. For me, though, bottle brush Christmas trees never really went “out of style!”
If you don’t have any vintage bottle brush Christmas trees saved from your childhood, they are easy to find. Simply visit your local antique store, charity shop, or flea market.
Vintage trees are available in a wide variety of colors and styles. In addition to traditional evergreen (with or without a “snow” frosting) you may also unearth kitschy shades such as teal, white, gold, or pastel pink.
Some trees even feature adornments from tiny glass ornaments to wee garlands. (I like this retro-inspired 3-pack in graduated sizes for just $12.99)
If you have no time for treasure hunting, you can score loads of sizes, shapes, and colors on Amazon. For example a 30-pc set in five sizes and various green hues is only $12.99 (see the collection here).
Wondering how to decorate with these little gems?
- Create a snowy “forest” under glass in a cloche (easy tip – use salt as snow)
- Line up bottle brush trees up like soldiers on a window ledge, mantle, or down the center of a dining table (varying the heights and colors)
- Mass on a plate, footed cake stand, or in a box or wooden drawer as a centerpiece
- Nestle individual trees into teacups, sugar bowls, and compotes (I personally love the combination of the green trees with silver serving pieces and a bunch of red berries or two)
- Tied with red and white twine to a toy truck, camper, or car
- Use as part of a vintage display with other period pieces such as Santas, nutcrackers, reindeer and snowmen
The possibilities are as limitless as your imagination. Happy holiday decorating!
While you are here, please don’t forget to enter our most recent home, garden, holiday, fashion, beauty and style giveaways. And, if enjoyed this Vintage Bottle Brush Trees post, please visit the Holiday Style tab for even more home essentials and finds or decorating inspiration. Or visit Susan’s Christmas for even more Christmas decorating ideas!
DISCLAIMER: No financial compensation was received for this Vintage Bottle Brush Trees post. Regardless, I only recommend products or services that I believe will be beneficial for my readers.
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Susan Said… WHAT?! is your guide to a life filled with style and was named one of the Top 50 Beauty Blogs in the World by RebateZone. You’ll find everything from fashion, jewelry, beauty and accessories, to gorgeous gardens and stunning interiors and DIY projects, plus the latest ideas events of all kinds. Susan Conforte McNeill is an author, entrepreneur, and co-founder of the literacy organization Success Won’t Wait!