Rivka Posted December 19, 2010 Share Posted December 19, 2010 I was writing up some stuff about my childhood Christmases, and I realized that I haven't seen a tree with tinsel on it in years and years. Not tinsel garlands, but those tiny individual strands that were also called "icicles." The kind that your father lectures everyone about every year because it has to be hung strand by strand never in clumps are you kids listening to me. Does anyone still do that, or was it a 1970s thing? Do they even still make that stuff? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Veritaserum Posted December 19, 2010 Share Posted December 19, 2010 I remember it from my younger childhood, but we stopped doing it at some point. I think my parents got tired of tinsel being strewn about the house. I haven't seen it in years. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lolly Posted December 19, 2010 Share Posted December 19, 2010 They must! My brother put it on his tree this year. His wife is in a cast and can't get around at all. She is being a good sport about the tree. He used the large, old fashioned lights; tinsel; and all kiddy made ornaments. I think it is beautiful! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
colleenebeans Posted December 19, 2010 Share Posted December 19, 2010 I saw them last time I was at the store, but we dont use them because our cat loves to eat em. Bad, bad kitty. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nestof3 Posted December 19, 2010 Share Posted December 19, 2010 I saw some in Target. We put it on our tree when I was younger, but I don't like it anymore. I bought some cranberry garland with snowflakes for our tree this year. I love the subtle look. Tinsel is just too showy for my taste. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Suzanne in ABQ Posted December 19, 2010 Share Posted December 19, 2010 My friend has a home staging and decorating business in the Los Angeles area. She was Christmas decorating for a client, and needed tinsel icicles. She had to go to several stores before she finally found them at K-Mart. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
amyco Posted December 19, 2010 Share Posted December 19, 2010 My mother hung tinsel the same way--one strand by one strand. With tender loving care. And she removed them the same way, and packaged them up and re-used them every year. And, I still have that tinsel!!! It must be at least 40 years old. It's definitely different than the icicles of today, or at least a few years ago when I purchased some. The older stuff had more weight and hung so much nicer--real tin, right?. One of these years I keep meaning to use the old tinsel but I'm afraid it will just make me sad, kwim? We usually use the cheap newer icicles and throw them away when we are done. Not this year though... our cat is still not trusted around the tree. ;) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
redsquirrel Posted December 19, 2010 Share Posted December 19, 2010 I have a vague recollection that the tinsel had lead it in? Is this sounding familiar? I swear I remember being told not to have it in the house with small children due to the lead. Or is this something that was killing wildlife.... It was one or the other. Everything is one of those these days. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rivka Posted December 19, 2010 Author Share Posted December 19, 2010 Oh I miss that! My grandmother used to put angel hair on the lights. I haven't seen that for sale in years. Angel hair! Right, that was the other thing it was called. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Vanna Posted December 19, 2010 Share Posted December 19, 2010 I know a family that this using tinsel icicles is *a must* tradition each yr (so, no you are not alone, and not just a 70s thing, hee, hee!). Hubby and the kiddies decorate for Christmas -- not me. We have an artificial tree and I think hubs has reused a red garland and red lights for the last 3 yrs. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Parrothead Posted December 19, 2010 Share Posted December 19, 2010 I remember that stuff. When I was a kid it was put on our tree by my mother. Dad did the lights, db and I did the ornaments and mom did the tinsel. I haven't seen it in a few years though. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ktgrok Posted December 19, 2010 Share Posted December 19, 2010 I loved it as a kid, it was my favorite part. And my mom was the one lecturing about it :) But we stopped because I learned that it was very dangerous for animals to ingest. So that's why we don't do it anymore. I miss it but my pets' safety is more important. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
amyco Posted December 19, 2010 Share Posted December 19, 2010 No, I think you are right. Lead sounds familiar. That is why they stopped making it...and why my mother was careful to keep hers. Apparently she wasn't very concerned about us ingesting it! :lol: Tinsel is a better name than leadsel, though... ...and now I'm really glad I haven't used it, because my cat probably would eat some. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lara in Colo Posted December 19, 2010 Share Posted December 19, 2010 I remember as a child my dog ate it and her poops were connected like a train with several cars attached!!! Lara Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Homeschooling6 Posted December 19, 2010 Share Posted December 19, 2010 We have used it. I don't know where I purchased it though but it reminded me of when I was little. I didn't realize it's hard to find. I'm trying to remember if we used it last year :001_huh: no, it must have been the year before. Anyway, my kids have seen it:001_smile: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baseball mom Posted December 19, 2010 Share Posted December 19, 2010 Funny I was just talking to the kids about tinsel icicles the other day. They didn't have a clue what I was talking about. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RoughCollie Posted December 19, 2010 Share Posted December 19, 2010 Yes, tinsel is still made. I put it on my tree every year except this one and the years I had cats. I just don't have time to put one strand on the tree at a time because I use several thousand strands. I have to take them all off before I can ditch the tree in the woods, too, so that hassle is eliminated this year. The tinsel nowadays is flimsy compared to the old kind. I am the only person I know who is pro-tinsel. We had both tinsel and artificial snow spray on our trees when I was growing up -- even before the 1970s. It is very dangerous for pets to eat it. Our dog could not care less, but when we had cats, we didn't use it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AngieW in Texas Posted December 19, 2010 Share Posted December 19, 2010 We don't do it because we're afraid our dog might eat it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Retired Posted December 19, 2010 Share Posted December 19, 2010 I remember as a child my dog ate it and her poops were connected like a train with several cars attached!!! Lara :lol: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
joannqn Posted December 19, 2010 Share Posted December 19, 2010 We are planning to next year when our youngest is older. We have a beaded spider that a friend of my father's (she knew me growing up) made us. It's beautiful and has a special place on our tree. She sent it with a sweet story about how some spiders loved the pretty Christmas tree and raced all over to see everything on it, leaving their web behind. Santa, appreciating the spider's joy and knowing that the lady of the house wouldn't, turned the webs to tinsel. We have the spider, and the story doesn't work without the tinsel on the tree too. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shawna in Texas Posted December 19, 2010 Share Posted December 19, 2010 We saw some at Target tonight and I was taken aback by how loud my "NO!" was when dd asked if we could get some. I almost feel bad for disallowing something I had so much fun with as a child, but the cats make a good excuse. Our trees growing up were completely covered because we were too impatient for going slowly and sparingly. They were like a sparkling Cousin It and I'm not exaggerating. Now the angel hair. My Memaw had some on her bar (kitchen looking into living room area) and placed her holiday village on top, so it looked all snowy. Anytime I would rest my arms on the bar to talk to her in the kitchen that stuff would sting the @#$ out of my arms. And like a child I kept putting my arms there because it was still a mystery to me. Last year I noticed that she started using cotton. I didn't ask her why. Maybe the pain finally got to her. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
justamouse Posted December 19, 2010 Share Posted December 19, 2010 it's in Wal-store. I wanted it sooo badly. I'm still thinking of getting it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FriedClams Posted December 19, 2010 Share Posted December 19, 2010 When I was in high school I spent a summer working at a tinsel factory. Really. I made a TON of garlands. Tinsel was not my thing (though the ladies who worked the line were very nice and listened to a lot of light rock). I.hate.tinsel.and.all.garland. :lol::lol: We did have it on our tree as a kid - and we drug it everywhere - and we clumped it on. :lol: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pippen Posted December 19, 2010 Share Posted December 19, 2010 I remember the heavy lead tinsel, and remember my mom complaining when they went to the lightweight stuff. I used to decorate my grandparents' tree for them and was always quietly rolling my eyes when I got to the old angel hair angel tree topper. Now I have theirs on my tree (like this one): http://cgi.ebay.com/VTG-CHRISTMAS-ANGEL-TREE-TOPPER-SPUN-GLASS-w-ANGEL-HAIR-/150535150802?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item230c981cd2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Margo out of lurking Posted December 19, 2010 Share Posted December 19, 2010 I was writing up some stuff about my childhood Christmases, and I realized that I haven't seen a tree with tinsel on it in years and years. Not tinsel garlands, but those tiny individual strands that were also called "icicles." The kind that your father lectures everyone about every year because it has to be hung strand by strand never in clumps are you kids listening to me. Does anyone still do that, or was it a 1970s thing? Do they even still make that stuff? TOTALLY! Our tree isn't done until the tinsel's on! Dh's jobs are lights and tinsel. The kids and I are not good tinsel hangers.:001_smile: (Now I can worry that I am further stuck in the 70s.) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pippen Posted December 19, 2010 Share Posted December 19, 2010 (Now I can worry that I am further stuck in the 70s.) I'm so with you, sister!:thumbup: My kitchen had harvest gold appliances which I dreaded when I first moved in here. I still have the range, because it's outlasted all of my friend's newer ones, plus the warmer color has grown on me. A few years ago I bought a stand mixer that matches it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nono Posted December 19, 2010 Share Posted December 19, 2010 I remember the heavy lead tinsel, and remember my mom complaining when they went to the lightweight stuff. Oh, I'm with your Mom! That impostor they sell today is a nightmare clings to everything but the tree! So no more tinsel in our home. If they brought back the leaded stuff, you bet I'd buy it. And, I'd remind all visitors not to eat it. ;) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Firefly Posted December 19, 2010 Share Posted December 19, 2010 We used it when I was growing up. We don't use it now because it's dangerous for animals to eat it. Our cats do, and also we recycle/compost our tree every year I wouldn't want wild critters getting into it and getting sick. I don't miss it at all though; the tree is still beautiful without it. :D Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LibraryLover Posted December 19, 2010 Share Posted December 19, 2010 (edited) I was writing up some stuff about my childhood Christmases, and I realized that I haven't seen a tree with tinsel on it in years and years. Not tinsel garlands, but those tiny individual strands that were also called "icicles." The kind that your father lectures everyone about every year because it has to be hung strand by strand never in clumps are you kids listening to me. Does anyone still do that, or was it a 1970s thing? Do they even still make that stuff? That's a 1940's thing, if you go by mother's photos of childhood Christmasses. That's my fave(reminds me of mom & grandma & the old days) and we always do it. I haven't picked up any for this year (just got a tree). Thanks for the reminder. I have picked it up from the grocery store seasonal isle around here, so yes they still make it, although it's not exactly the same. (I don't care about clumps lol) Edited December 19, 2010 by LibraryLover Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chris in VA Posted December 19, 2010 Share Posted December 19, 2010 We used to put tinsel on the tree when I was little. We now have something from Vermont Country Store that is like stiff, thin, twisted metal tinsel strands with a hook at the top. They come in a little can and are about 6 inches long. They can be sharp, so we couldn't use them when dd was a little one. They add a little sparkle. (As an aside, this year we strung cranberries and I'm surprised at the pop of color they add!) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lady Florida. Posted December 19, 2010 Share Posted December 19, 2010 I find tinsel distracting. :lol: It was on our tree when I was a kid, and my mom was the only one who was allowed to put it on the tree. She did it strand by strand, while the rest of us didn't have the patience for that. She always saved hers, removing it strand by strand, but it finally gave out and it was time to buy more. I didn't realize the old stuff had lead in it, but I do remember my mom complaining that the newer stuff just wasn't the same. We have cats, so I wouldn't use it, but seeing a tree decorated with tinsel brings back memories. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gardening momma Posted December 19, 2010 Share Posted December 19, 2010 I was writing up some stuff about my childhood Christmases, and I realized that I haven't seen a tree with tinsel on it in years and years. Not tinsel garlands, but those tiny individual strands that were also called "icicles." The kind that your father lectures everyone about every year because it has to be hung strand by strand never in clumps are you kids listening to me. Does anyone still do that, or was it a 1970s thing? Do they even still make that stuff? We put tinsel on the tree when I was a kid, but I grew to hate it because mom bought so much of it and it all got put on the tree. Now I don't put it on at all. I don't think mom does anymore either. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mcconnellboys Posted December 19, 2010 Share Posted December 19, 2010 Don't they make it any more? It's on my tree every year! What will I do when I start to run short? Arrrrrgh!!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jumping In Puddles Posted December 19, 2010 Share Posted December 19, 2010 My son asked for tinsel for the tree so I bought some at Walmart yesterday (50¢) and I'm going to put it on Christmas Eve so it will be a surprise Christmas morning! I'm actually pretty excited about it! :lol: He also mentioned a few times that he wanted a star topper instead of an angel so I will put that on the tree as a surprise too. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
colleenebeans Posted December 19, 2010 Share Posted December 19, 2010 We are planning to next year when our youngest is older. We have a beaded spider that a friend of my father's (she knew me growing up) made us. It's beautiful and has a special place on our tree. She sent it with a sweet story about how some spiders loved the pretty Christmas tree and raced all over to see everything on it, leaving their web behind. Santa, appreciating the spider's joy and knowing that the lady of the house wouldn't, turned the webs to tinsel. We have the spider, and the story doesn't work without the tinsel on the tree too. Oh my gosh, we celebrated Christmas at my parents already and she had a story about spiders so instead of using the tinsel (crazy cats) she made little spiders with googly eyes and connected a long silver ribbons hanging from them and one by one, we went to the tree and placed our spider and then wrapped the ribbon on the tree. It was really sweet, and I had never heard of the story before. Its an alternative if you have pets. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ellie Posted December 19, 2010 Share Posted December 19, 2010 I did this year, and my tree is beautimous. :) I think that so many people now have artificial trees, and they don't want to have to remove the icecicles every year. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mcconnellboys Posted December 19, 2010 Share Posted December 19, 2010 Whew! Thank goodness! What a neat surprise that will be! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
scmama Posted December 19, 2010 Share Posted December 19, 2010 I still use tinsel because the tree doesn't look like a tree without it...we used it when I was growing up too. :) I knew a person who would put it on their tree ONE strand at a time, no joke!!! Maybe she was OCD or something and never knew...lol! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jane in NC Posted December 19, 2010 Share Posted December 19, 2010 I think that so many people now have artificial trees, and they don't want to have to remove the icecicles every year. Yes--I think this is part of the reason that tinsel is not so popular. Has anyone set up on a poll on real vs. fake trees? (And just what would "other" be??) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pippen Posted December 19, 2010 Share Posted December 19, 2010 Oh, I'm with your Mom! That impostor they sell today is a nightmare clings to everything but the tree! So no more tinsel in our home. If they brought back the leaded stuff, you bet I'd buy it. And, I'd remind all visitors not to eat it. ;) Today I saw holographic tinsel at the Dollar Store. Ack! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
journeytolily Posted December 19, 2010 Share Posted December 19, 2010 Gosh, this brings back memories! When I was growing up, my mother was wild for angel hair. She would gently pull it apart, just so, and place it over each light. It did look really nice. My Granny, OTOH, loved tinsel (I grew up with my grandparents, but would spend time with Mom too). This is the kind of tree I remember most - the tree with tinsel! I've used tinsel as an adult a few times, but since I usually have at least one cat, I haven't in recent years. I know some people think it's "tacky", but when I pass some in the store, I'm always tempted to buy it! In fact, this year, after we finished decorating the tree, I thought "okay, now all it needs is some tinsel"! Veronica Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LibraryLover Posted December 19, 2010 Share Posted December 19, 2010 (edited) These are the sorts of old-fashioned trees I think about when I hear 'tinsel'. :) www.infomercantile.com/blog/labels/christmas%20tree.html This could be (but is not) my mom: http://www.google.com/imgres?imgurl=http://www.corbisimages.com/images/67/37663F3A-9D96-4277-B8DF-46F131E32821/BE075513.jpg&imgrefurl=http://www.corbisimages.com/Enlargement/BE075513.html&usg=__9K16Q8UofAsi75NOYIPrVahFGkw=&h=480&w=369&sz=81&hl=en&start=51&zoom=1&tbnid=BHD1LhKBAebjOM:&tbnh=159&tbnw=122&prev=/images%3Fq%3D1940%27s%2Bchristmas%2Btree%26hl%3Den%26safe%3Doff%26biw%3D1676%26bih%3D839%26gbv%3D2%26tbs%3Disch:1&itbs=1&iact=rc&dur=328&ei=pending&oei=9F4OTfiOBYP88Abn9MjWDQ&esq=2&page=2&ndsp=33&ved=1t:429,r:32,s:51&tx=61&ty=85 Train! http://www.gettyimages.com/detail/2716929/Hulton-Archive Daddy! http://www.gettyimages.com/detail/53328787/Hulton-Archive Edited December 19, 2010 by LibraryLover Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chris in VA Posted December 19, 2010 Share Posted December 19, 2010 Yes--I think this is part of the reason that tinsel is not so popular. Has anyone set up on a poll on real vs. fake trees? (And just what would "other" be??) OH, I know! Hint--Ask Rosie (the Australian one) who Mabel is!!!!:lol::lol: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chickenpatty Posted December 19, 2010 Share Posted December 19, 2010 I remember as a child my dog ate it and her poops were connected like a train with several cars attached!!! Lara :lol: That was the very first thought that came to my mind. My dog loved that stuff! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mom in High Heels Posted December 19, 2010 Share Posted December 19, 2010 Oh I miss that! My grandmother used to put angel hair on the lights. I haven't seen that for sale in years. That stuff is HUGELY popular in Europe. They sell it by the boxful here. I think it's so pretty. My mom used to use tinsel and put it on strand by strand. She used the same 2 boxes of it for years and years until they finally got lost in a move. It was so different from what they sell today in the States. I've seen stuff very, very similar to the old kind of tinsel for sale here (Germany), and I've been tempted to buy it, but know I would just get irritated half way through putting it on the tree. I prefer clumps of the angel hair inside the branches to give the tree sparkle and depth. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kat19 Posted December 19, 2010 Share Posted December 19, 2010 (edited) My mom still does. We had Christmas at her house yesterday. I said I think you are the only person in the universe who still uses tinsel :lol: Guess not. I will try to post a pic of her tree(if I can figure it out) Edited December 19, 2010 by Kristafish Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JumpedIntoTheDeepEndFirst Posted December 20, 2010 Share Posted December 20, 2010 I put glass icicles on the tree at the branch tips every year. They add great sparkle, reflect the lights, and pick up lots of color from the ornaments. Tinsle and angle hair are too hard on artificial trees because you have to remove it all every year-that is next to impossible. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tarreymere Posted December 20, 2010 Share Posted December 20, 2010 it used to make Christmas so festive.....the tinsel hanging out of the cat's butt reflecting the many colors of the tree lights......... :p Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Margo out of lurking Posted December 20, 2010 Share Posted December 20, 2010 Tinsle and angle hair are too hard on artificial trees because you have to remove it all every year-that is next to impossible. I keep reading how hard it is to remove tinsel from artificial trees, but I do it every year. It doesn't bother me a bit. Since we usually (except this year) put the tree up Thanksgiving weekend, I'll do just about anything to take it down. Besides, I enjoy mindless, repetitive tasks. :D Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JumpedIntoTheDeepEndFirst Posted December 20, 2010 Share Posted December 20, 2010 I keep reading how hard it is to remove tinsel from artificial trees, but I do it every year. It doesn't bother me a bit. Since we usually (except this year) put the tree up Thanksgiving weekend, I'll do just about anything to take it down. Besides, I enjoy mindless, repetitive tasks. :D You have far more patience than I!! My hat is off to you. :001_smile: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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