Tinsel on Tree
 

Hi Everyone! Getting ready to put up my Christmas tree. Years ago, when I was growing up, Mom would hang the tinsel, one by one on the tree. I got to help her when I got older and under her supervision. She could really decorate a tree! Since probably 1970's when I was married (yes, I am in my early 60's), we would put string tinsel on the tree. I haven't put up the tree for a few years, just haven't felt like it since parents have passed away.
I change decorations year to year, all round ornaments, no round ornaments (son's ornaments made in school, wood, etc) or a mix of both. But always with tinsel garland. It makes the lights brighter, I think.
Does anyone use garland tinsel anymore? I see a lot of trees with ribbon or no garland of any kind.
How do you decorate your tree-garland, ribbon or none at all?

No tinsel, once I was "educated" as to the harm that animals could come to with the metal impact. I loved the look of the tinsel and garlands.... but now I have grand doggies.... so.... no I don't use it anymore. There is probably a modern version that is user friendly but I haven't looked.

thumblebug6000: I have no fur babies. When we did, no garland was on tree.
Tartan: I bought this tinsel a couple of years before the plastic came out and sure glad I did. Don't even know the silver tinsel garland is in stores any more-haven't looked. Your garland sounds adorable, do you have a picture you can post of it?

I remember the old, real tinsel that was carefully saved each year. But the new stuff is plastic and so static-y that it stick to everything--the dogs walk by and it just clings to them, too! And because of toddler g-boys, we use icsicle "ropes" instead now.

As I remember going to our local hardware store in the 1950's, tinsel was the only thing besides lights and ornaments. Today we have a zillion choices at ginormous big box stores.

I use Tinsel once in a while and sure wish I had more of the old lead tinsel. I have only on package, the new stuff is staticy and clings to everything. I opt now for more ice cycle type ornaments or just plain sparkly ornaments on my tree now with new grandbabies tinsel is out again for this year. I could never get the garland to look right so sometimes use beads

We still use tinsel - the new plasticy; sticky kind as that is all that is available. And yes, I dress the tree with it still one strand at a time. Don't use garland. As to ornaments - hubs and I have exchanged ornaments for the 25+ years we have been together plus those that have been given to us by others. It's a bit eclective but it works for us. We're actually running out of room for ornaments! And we don't do a small tree! It's a chore, to be sure, but one I'm not ready to give up. A friend recently asked if we were getting an artificial tree this year as I've developed allergies, but no, we're still doing real! I'm allergic to my dogs also and I'm not getting rid of them either!

I love tinsel, but with small grandchildren I opted not to use it again this year. I love it and I miss my tinsel.

I have the old metal tinsel that I have been reusing for years. I use my grandmothers ornaments that are vintage mercury glass with the cuts outs so the tinsel makes my tree look old fashioned. DH and I were talking today about trying to find new tinsel so I was disappointed to hear I won't find any.

My mom used the old type tinsel. Apparently, how to correctly put tinsel on the tree was a major obsession with her because it took much discussion to do it. Consequently, I don't have any desire to put tinsel on my tree. I'm not as obsessive as she was and just don't really like it that well. I have gold star garlands the I put on the tree. I love the sparkle and little stars.

i loved the old tinsel, but it contained lead, so no more for me. i use varioius garlands, muy two favories are a gold chain and plastic icicles

No tree here, as I got fed up with getting our one cat out of it. We got Boots just before the holidays about 12 years ago, and no matter what we tried, couldn't keep him out of it. Final straw was the crashing down of the tree about 3:00 in the morning. What a mess:)

My thoughts EXACTLY. My mom made us hang us each strand "just so" and I hated her OCD-ishness about it. Took the fun out of it, but she wasn't one to take no for an answer when it came to helping. Plus the darn stuff back then was also static-y, at least in our house. So trying to get the tinsel strands 1) separated from each other out of the package 2) perfectly hanging even on both sides and 3) not sticking to us as we went, was a trifecta from holiday purgatory. We always had real trees that we dug up from the "back 40" which had to be replanted when the ground had thawed. Mama knew the dangers of tinsel to wildlife, so we had to carefully pick each and every strand OFF the tree before Daddy replanted.

I use wired ribbon on my tree and if I get anyone to help me, I am never persnickety. I just say "try to balance the placement." That's it. But I only live with hubby and teenage son now, both of whom have zero interest in trim trimming. The upside is I have free rein to decorate it my way!

I still have an unopened package of the old lead tinsel tucked in my Christmas storage boxes. Probably the original tinsel. I will never open this box. I use it and other old ornaments in a basket for display.

I love the look of tinsel on the tree but would never use it do to health hazard of pets and the environment impact.
peace

I get nostalgic for that sparkle from my childhood trees. Hubby and I used tinsel first few years we were married, but had to stop because our cat ate it and we had to pull it out the other end...luckily no damage to the cat. Same thing happened with plastic grass in Easter baskets, so that was banned at our house as well. Years later we still have cats that like to chew stuff, so we can't use it.

I remember applying the tinsel as the most tedious and time consuming part of decorating the tree. ONLY Dad was allowed to do it, as he patiently placed the strands one by one. We kids just threw it on in gobs. Haven't seen tinsel in years... I like the look of the tree without it, myself, but to my parents the tree wasn't complete without the tinsel. Thanks for the memories!

So trying to get the tinsel strands 1) separated from each other out of the package 2) perfectly hanging even on both sides and 3) not sticking to us as we went, was a trifecta from holiday purgatory.

LOL!!!! What a hilarious and true statement this is! :D

If you are asking a rope tinsel, I use a small gold rope and small red ribbon. If you are asking about the long streams that hang on the branches, I stand back from the tree toss a few at a time at the tree all around the tree.

How the tinsel would hang was always a parameter when buying the tree. There had to be enough gaps in the branches for it to look its best. Mom supervised this part of the decorating like a Sargent major and I know she rehung a lot after we went to bed. LOL.
We carefully removed it and saved it but never got it all. I can still see the tree at the side of the road, after New Year's, waiting for the garbage truck, sparkling in the sun shine with the "escaped" or "lost" tinsel (depends how you look at it).

When I was young and soon after my parents divorced. Our first holiday consisted of spending Christmas eve at our Mom's house with tinsel covered tree. And at home with Dad and a silver tree with the moving tri colored light thing spinning colors up on the tree.
The trees my husband and I put up every year contain no tinsel or garland.

If I had a tree, I would. but now have three cats so would have to think it over. my last kitty never bothered the tree but these are much more into things. trees look wonderful with tinsel. now angel hair, maybe not!

Oh man! Memories! My mom was also OCD about hanging one strand of tinsel at a time on each branch. For the last 40 years in my rebellion I have always stood back and threw hands full of tinsel at the tree:)

I do still use the tinsel garland AND the individual tinsel. Looks like icicles hanging on the tree; I'm in the same age group as you. It does take time but my tree is beautiful. Like you, I've not put a tree up in probably 20 years; since I was never home for Christmas; I went to my parents but this year will be my first one of my own I've put up in about 20 years. Decorate it as you used to and enjoy! I Love my tree. And Merry Christmas.

My grandmother who raised me bought a new box of the tin tinsel every few years. I can still remember her showing me how to put it on the tree. Take a handful and let it fall a few at a time all over the tree. No one strand at a time for her. She and I would go to the pine tree field behind the house and she would saw the top out of a pine for our tree.

I don't use tinsel. The grands decorate the tree now. I keep them two days a week so I let them do what they want with the tree. I don't move any of the ornaments they place. They hang each ornament with care until they get tired. Age 3 and 4. LOL. DH finishes the top part. Anyone with OCD wouldn't last long in my home when it comes to decorating the tree.

I have cats and dogs and found a substitute for tinsel. I buy strings of 'Mardi Gras' type beads (the ones that are molded on a string) and cut them in three pieces to use instead of tinsel. Below is a picture of this years tree that my room mate decorated this year. She only used the tinsel/beads and plastic candy canes this year which is what she chose. Feel free to take my idea. Most of my friends have, since they also do not clog up the vacuum either.

I used to always use it until I found out how kitty's and dogs can be harmed by it. I haven't used it now for years but I think it is beautiful.

My family decorated my tree for me over the Thanksgiving weekend. I had bought two of the new tree dazzler lights and boy were they a hit. Everyone loved them and the kids had a ball playing with them all weekend to see what all they will do. Love not having to string and unstring lights and having a new show every day.

We have always used tinsel, I have always had animals including cats and never had a problem. for me, its the finishing touch on a tree

I use gold and white garland. Almost 40 years ago we had to go to an artificial tree because of one daughter's allergies. Out of habit, we put tinsel on it. What a mistake! It took hours to untangle each strand from the branches which made switching to just garland a no-brainer.

Oh I have to have the tinsel, tree looks naked and unfinished without it!!!! I am in my early sixties too, Dad was real particular about the placement, we got fussed at if we threw it at the tree!!!

To me a tree is not complete unless it has tinsel. Unfortunately, no one does it any more. And I Absolutely hate LED lights on a tree. They are so cold.

I took my silver snowflake garland , cut it in 6-8 inch segments and hang it like tinsel. same shimmering ..effect ,less mess and reuseable. I have 3 fur babies and they only set under the tree, don't try and climb it or knock off the ornaments, I got lucky, my babies are so sweet, Also went to Bronners ,worlds largest christmas store last year ,couldn't afford them ,but was beautiful.Went home pulled out my stuff , and realizes I had found Bronners ornament at garage sales for 1$ a box, did the happy dance,I nearly cried, So know my tree compares to theirs at a fraction of the cost

My mom used to decorate our tree with tinsel, one strand at a time, it was beautiful. After Christmas, she'd very carefully take the tinsel off of the tree and string it over a cardboard covered coat hanger so we'd have it for the following year. A few years back, I tried the "new" tinsel and thought it was horrible. So much static cling, it was almost impossible to hang. I finally purchased several hundred clear icicles and they seem to do the trick. So pretty on the tree, but never as beautiful as the original tinsel from days gone by.

I'm with you 100%.....I hate LED lights,they're horrendous!The blue actually gives me a headache.....awful idea!!!!!

We gave up on tinsel several years ago because there was some campaign against it and was impossible to find. My DH decided he liked the tree better without so you can really see the ornaments on the tree. Can't remember when he stopped putting the garland on the tree. Just one year it just didn't hang well, so it went in the trash, we finished the tree and that was it. I would love to have a real tree but my DH worked with a bunch of firefighters and was warned against them since we live in a very dry area and we put the tree up the day after Thanksgiving. (I'm the one you see wandering thru the tree lots inhaling deeply.) I usually buy a wreath to hang in the house.

It has never been fun since the days when lead tinsel was allowed. I always took two days just putting it on the tree, one by one, no throwing it on for me. I imagine that most of you will not even know that they used to be lead, back in the "day".

[QUOTE=quiltingcandy (I'm the one you see wandering thru the tree lots inhaling deeply.) [/QUOTE]

Hehehe that is me too. I finally gave up the real tree 3 years ago and bought an unlighted artificial one. So I still use tinsel and my C7 lights on that fake tree.

OMG! I'd forgotten about the silver tree with the spinning colored light. We had one of those. We also had the pink tree one year that my mother had to have. It got voted down the second year. Hmmmm . . . she seemed to really like pink. I wonder why she never let me wear it and made me wear blue (that I don't especially like) instead?

My husband bought me a purple tree w/ purple lights for my sewing room, including disco ball ornaments. :)