In colonial America, artificial Christmas trees were already in use. Originating in Pennsylvania in 1747, they were crafted by the German Moravian Church and took the shape of wooden pyramids adorned with candles.
The inception of artificial Christmas trees, as we recognize them today, traces back to Germany in the 1880s. These early versions were constructed from dyed goose feathers.
Most artificial Christmas trees are manufactured in China.
Around 9 million artificial trees are shipped to the U.S. from China each year. In 2023, a substantial 90% of artificial trees sold in the U.S. were sourced from China, while Cambodia and Mexico supplied the remainder, as reported by CNN
In 1930, the Addis Brush Company, based in Britain, introduced a novel concept: the brush bristle tree. Utilizing machinery originally designed for producing toilet brushes, they dyed the bristles green, and these trees were quite popular for a time!
Aluminum Christmas trees were a thing.
First manufactured in Chicago in 1958 and later centered in Manitowoc, Wisconsin, aluminum Christmas trees experienced a surge in popularity during the late 1950s and early 1960s. However, the trend took a downturn in 1965 following the broadcast of A Charlie Brown Christmas, which portrayed aluminum trees negatively. Consequently, their popularity declined, leading to the cessation of production in the 1970s.
Upside-down artificial trees are more like a gimmick than a real tree.
Engineered to save retail floor space, upside-down artificial Christmas trees achieve their gravity-defying appearance by being either bolted to the ceiling, attached to walls, or equipped with a special base. This unique design allows consumers to access ornaments more closely while freeing up space for additional products.
3D holographic Christmas decorations are a new trend.
Beyond the customary Christmas trees and ornaments, some businesses are delving into holographic technologies to infuse greater creativity and interactive experiences into the holiday season for people.
Most artificial Christmas trees nowadays are made from PVC plastic.
Nowadays, PVC plastic is the predominant material for most artificial Christmas trees. Since the advent of polyvinyl chloride (PVC) in 1980, the materials used for artificial Christmas trees have gravitated towards this durable option. Despite alternatives like aluminum and fiber-optic trees, PVC’s popularity endures thanks to its realistic look, fire-retardant features, and long-lasting durability, solidifying its status as a primary option in the market.
This is how PVC Christmas trees are made.
The production involves key stages: the creation of a sturdy steel framework, the application of a polyester powder finish, and the assembly of the base. Concurrently, PVC plastic is molded into needle-like strips, twisted with steel wires, and integrated with brown PVC as the needle stem. The procedure progresses with strand cutting and foliage crimping, using ring fasteners to envelop the framework with realistic artificial pine needles.
Of course, China also takes the crown as the world’s largest Christmas decorations exporter. With a remarkable export value surpassing 9.7 billion U.S. dollars in 2022, outpacing other nations, China’s dominance is evident. It’s worth mentioning that the Netherlands and India played significant roles as well, emerging as notable contributors to the global market for Christmas decorations.
If you want to know more about Christmas trees or other intriguing facts related to the holiday season, feel free to drop a comment.
