Vintage Inspired DIY Tinsel Tree with Jadeite Ornaments

Did you grow up with a tinsel Christmas tree? Or do you love the retro vibes a tinsel tree brings to the party? Silver tinsel trees create a nostalgic magical Christmastime mood. Unfortunately real tinsel trees can be spendy whether vintage or not, but let me share with you a super easy DIY hack to create a tabletop tinsel tree with jadeite reproduction ornaments for all the retro vibes.

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A Little Tinsel Tree Back Story

Tinsel trees have a rich history that dates back to the 19th century, originating in Germany, where silver and shiny materials were used to reflect candlelight during Christmas celebrations. The silver tarnished easily and tinsel evolved to aluminum in the 20th century, which made it more affordable and accessible.

Fast forward to modern times and tinsel is made from various materials like plastic. A simple Dollar Tree plastic tree is easily transformed to a vintage inspired tinsel tree with some metallic spray paint. You won’t believe what an easy hack this is.

Inspiration Behind the Vintage Inspired DIY Tinsel Tree with Jadeite Ornaments

I grew up with a tinsel tree when I was a little, and I have vague recollections of my mom using blue and green baubles. I was fairly young at the time so it’s a bit fussy, and I think most memories are based on pictures I might have seen. Oh, how I wish I had that tree today! Tinsel trees were all the rage in the 50s, 60s and into the 70s, but quickly fell out of favor. I believe some of it had to do with the fact that lead was used in tinsel back then.

Tinsel trees are back in popularity for all the nostalgic retro vibes. I hope some day to find a real vintage silver tree in the wild, but in the meantime I created my own little version. I bought three of these white Christmas trees from the Dollar Tree for another project a couple of years go and wanted to use them in a novel way. This was the perfect experiment project.

While I was researching how to decorate the DIY tinsel tree, I ran into jadeite ornaments. Wait, what? I did not know this was a thing…, but upon closer inspection I realized they were all faux creations. I found it pretty clever and loved the look. Retro inspired faux Jadeite ornaments seemed like the perfect accent for this DIY vintage tree.

How To Make a Vintage Inspired Tinsel Tree with Jadeite Ornaments

All the supplies for this little project can be found at the Dollar Tree. I also included other options below in the shopping section for your convenience. This cost me less than $10 to put together (kéep in mind I already had the silver spray paint in the garage), and it has fairly easy to make. I’m loving the fantastic retro vibes.

Supplies

• 1 Small Table Top Tree
• Metallic Aluminum Spray Paint
• Box of Mini Ornaments
• Jadeite Color Acrylic Paint
• Small Paint Brush
• Ribbon

Tools

• Small Paint Brush
• Scissors

Crafting Pro Tip: As I recommend with all my projects, read all the instructions through once and then re-read everything again. This way, you are familiar with everything you need and know what to expect.

Instructions

• Read all the instructions and assemble the necessary supplies & tools
• Spread branches of tree, allowing spray paint to reach all the nooks and crannies
• Spray paint tree and stand with metallic paint on all sides allowing to dry fully between coats

• Coat tree fully including stand (I used two coats of paint)
• Remove cap hangers from mini ornaments and spray them with metallic aluminum paint as well

• Using paint brush paint ornaments with Jadeite acrylic paint
• Once ornaments are dry, apply another coat of paint (I used three coats of paint)

• Once everything is dry, assemble tree on stand
• Attach cap hangers on ornaments
• Decorate tree with ornaments using ribbon to hang ornaments

• Voila! Enjoy your vintage inspired DIY tinsel tree with jadeite ornaments

Tips & Tricks

The Rust-oleum spray paint I used for the tree is metallic aluminum, and I’m happy with the finish it provided. The paint I used for the ornaments is FolkArt in the color Jadeite. The name doesn’t leave much to the imagination so I went with it. I saw a few different options when I researched the project. Other options are included in the shopping section for your review.

I used the white Dollar Tree Christmas tree because I had it kicking around, but you could use any tree. Keep in mind that depending on the original color of the tree, it might require more coats of the metallic paint to fully cover it. Thrift stores and garage sales are great resources to find an affordable tree to transform. Also the cap hangers on the ornaments I used were gold so I sprayed them with the metallic aluminum paint as well, blending into the tree.

I used three coats of the Jadeite paint on the ornaments because I wanted a strong green color, imparting the Jadeite nostalgic feelings. I love the concept of creating a faux Jadeite look, and I am already planning more projects in the future. Such an easy hack, and the possibilities are truly endless.

Closing Thoughts

I am super happy with my mini vintage tinsel tree with jadeite accents. I’m trying to decide where to display it in my Christmas decor. I have a couple of ideas. Although I have started on Christmas projects and crafts, I have not started to actually decorate yet. I’m all about Thanksgiving right now, although I have themes and ideas formulating for our Christmas decor this year.

The day after Thanksgiving we will get our tree as a family, and it’s full steam ahead from that point forward. The tree is a family affair but I do everything else pretty much and love every minute of it. Does your family have traditions around your Holiday celebrations? Hopefully this fun project inspires you to create something that’s nostalgic from your own holiday festivities. Please share if you do. Thanks for dropping by.

Shopping the Look

• Rust-Oleum Metallic Aluminum
• FolkArt Jadeite Acrylic Paint (FYI I found mine @ Michaels for less than $1.50)
• Deco Art Pistachio Mint Acrylic Paint
• FolkArt Sage Chalk Acrylic Paint
• 18-inch Tinsel Aluminum Tree
• Mini White Ornaments
• Craft Paint Brush Set
• Cotton Lace Ribbon

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Something about an old-fashioned Christmas is hard to forget.” 

Hugh Downs 

sharing @ between naps on the porch