Martha Stewart’s Vintage 1950s Christmas Tree Needs No Ornaments – It Masters The Bold, Retro Trend Dominating Holiday Decor

Vintage, bold, and completely ornament-free: How Martha's silver tree is bringing 1950s holiday style back in a surprisingly simple way

Martha Stewart
(Image credit: Lexie Moreland/WWD via Getty Images)

We constantly seek fresh ideas for holiday decorating, but sometimes the traditional methods remain the best choice. Martha Stewart's silver vintage Christmas tree is the perfect example.

The renowned homes expert shared a snapshot of her silver, nostalgia-core mini-tree on Instagram. On her blog, Stewart explains that these tinsel trees became very popular in the 1950s, with millions made across the US between 1958 and 1969.

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This wave of nostalgia fits perfectly with current Christmas decor trends. Design expert Victoria Robinson notes: 'Nostalgia is making a strong return for Christmas, with many looking to decorate their homes with statement pieces that evoke memories of the past.' These retro styles have been featured in the homes of several celebrities over recent years, from Kris Jenner to Jessica Chastain to Joanna Gaines.

If you favour the retro maximalist Christmas decor idea, it’s easy to bring it into your home, either in a big or subtle way.

Robinson suggests: 'While a complete throwback to the 70s might not be everyone’s preference, incorporating small elements like a ceramic tree to your window or mantlepiece display can add a touch of magic and sentimental value to your decorations.'

These vintage-looking accents should be layered, with each decoration joining to make a big celebrative display. To complement their rustic and handmade look, ceramic trees and other eye-catching ornaments can serve as centrepieces on end tables, windowsills, or mantelpieces, and they pair well with natural, small decorations like pinecones (like these from Amazon), snow-dusted artificial holly branches, and garlands (like this one from Target).

For a look closer to Stewart's design, you could use several of these aluminum trees in different colours. Stewart incorporates a silver, bronze, and blue tree in her home for visual contrast.

When shopping, aim for trees of varying heights so they can be layered attractively. Since the essence of this trend is nostalgia, there’s no incorrect way to approach it, as long as it creates that comforting, lived-in feeling for you. As usual, Martha Stewart provides an excellent starting point.

Are you thinking about trying one of these vintage trees, or perhaps focusing on smaller nostalgic accents this winter?


Sophie Edwards
News Editor

Sophie is a writer and News Editor on the Celebrity Style team at Homes & Gardens. She is fascinated by the intersection of design and popular culture and is particularly passionate about researching trends and interior history. She is an avid pop culture fan and has interviewed Martha Stewart and Hillary Duff.

In her free time, Sophie freelances on design news for Westport Magazine and Livingetc. She also has a newsletter, My Friend's Art, in which she covers music, culture, and fine art through a personal lens. Her fiction has appeared in Love & Squalor and The Isis Magazine.

Before joining Future, Sophie worked in editorial at Fig Linens and Home, a boutique luxury linens brand. She has an MSc from Oxford University and a BA in Creative Writing and Sociology from Sarah Lawrence College.

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