Are you weary of that same contemporary Christmas theme each year? That same 'ole tired theme with a traditional green tree and the magazine style decor; everything placed just right. Well, it’s time to step outside the box and decorate your tree with the kitschiest theme ever, because retro is back!
Take a stroll down memory lane... to the Christmases of the 1950's and 60's... and create a retro Christmas theme that will delight your family and friends.
Step 1: Store away that green tree. Box it up and save for another year. If you want to break the mold of contemporary Christmas decor, then you should start with the tree itself.
Step 2: Get an aluminum Christmas tree. Nothing shouts retro like an aluminum tree, and you can easily find them today. These trees won't have the traditional pine branches of the ordinary green tree. Instead, they have a much sharper, more futuristic appearance that you might expect to see on the Jetsons. These trees are available in several popular colors including silver, white, purple, red, and pink.
Step 3: Ornaments are your best friends! Even if you can’t part with the tradition of a green Christmas tree, you can create a retro tree using lots of big, fat, shiny ornaments. Whether you chose to do a single color theme on an aluminum tree, or mix them up on a green one, just go for it!
Step 4: Get the lights right. If you opt for an aluminum tree, you won’t be able to use a traditional string of lights. Instead, you’ll have to light the tree using a rotating color wheel specifically designed for that purpose. If, on the other hand, you’re using a green tree, Christmas lights with C7 bulbs were commonly used in the 50’s and 60’s. Although you can still find many sets of vintage lights that will do the job, keep in mind they aren’t as energy efficient as their contemporary counterparts. Dressing them in a layer of angel hair will add a touch of authenticity to the theme.
Step 5: Forget ribbons and Old World decor. Although some traditional tastes remain steady throughout the decades, remember that in this case we are not thinking tradition, we are looking for funky, modern, and retro.
Step 6: Don't forget the garland. Whether you prefer the look of fat tinsel garland, or the homemade appeal of popcorn or construction paper, every retro Christmas tree needs garland.