Feather Trees and Xmas Ornaments

[augusta]

Over 100 years ago, Christmas trees made out of feathers were used. They were the first artificial Christmas tree. People liked the idea because they disliked using up real trees.

The website on the history of feather trees - and how to order one! - is at: http://www.feathertrees.com/

There's also a site for collectors of antique Christmas items, pre-1966.
The URL for that is: http://www.goldenglow.org/

[twinsrwe]

That's an interesting article on the history of feather trees, Augusta. I didn't know that feather trees were the first artificial trees!!!

[Susan]

Thanks for the great links, Sherry. I wonder if the Victorians used those real candles on the fake trees? I keep imagining the smell of burnt feathers, yuck. Either way, a dangerous practice.

[augusta]

I wondered the same thing, Susan! It was bad enough putting them on real trees.

Twinsrwe, I never heard of feather trees until I saw an ad for them in Country Victorian magazine. I would like to see one of those in person.
I wonder if you can use them every year, or if they would get all awful looking in storage.

[nbcatlover]

Thank you for the article on feather trees. I had almost forgotten about them. My parents bought one for my "first" Christmas. It was exactly the shape of the 30 inch one. It had royal blue feathers and the "bark" of the tree was covered with a brown paper. It survived for over 20 years of annual use, then just seemed to disintegrate.

I'll need to dig through some old photos to see if I can find a picture of it.

Thanks for a pleasant reminder!

[augusta]

nbcatlover, Yes! Please post a photo if you can find one! Do you remember how your parents stored it? And if they bought it brand new, or if it was an heirloom?

I'll bet those new ones on that website are really expensive. 'Course a real Victorian one would be even more. But there may not be any left, from reading nbcatlover's post. Just disintegrated, huh? Rats!