Bottle Brush Christmas Trees

Vintage Christmas decorations are so very popular. Many of us are now hunting for pieces that remind us of our childhood and the demand for these old Christmas decorations is high. From old blow molds to old bottle brush trees, vintage dealers are selling so many of these amazing vintage Christmas decorations at a record rate.

With ‘Vintage Christmas’ being so popular, there are now some amazing reproductions that are very convincing. It can be difficult to determine if you have found a true vintage piece these days. Many retail stores are jumping onto the ‘Vintage Inspired Band Wagon” and reproductions are everywhere. It can be really hard to tell the old pieces from the new ones.

Specifically, bottle brush trees have gotten so very popular and there are so many amazing reproductions. While I have a nice collection of NEW bottle brush trees, the true old vintage ones have my heart.

Have you ever wondered if you have found a real authentic vintage bottle brush tree?I have been growing my collection of vintage bottle brush trees for several years now and there are a few things that I always look for when I am trying to determine if one is actually old! Below I will share with you my quick little checklist!

Coloring

I have found that some old bottle brush trees have lost their bright coloring over time. Many of mine are faded, but I don’t mind. I imagine that these faded old trees would have sat near a window in their past.

The Base

When I find a bottle brush tree, the first thing I do is flip it over and look for signs of wear and tear on the base. It only makes sense that something that has been sitting out for year would have scuffs and dings on the base, right! I do know that there is “New Old Stock” out there. This just means that these are old items (in this case old bottle brush trees) that have never been used before. These ‘New Old Stock” trees would typically be crystal clear! However, the old trees that I have found have all been used and show signs of wear on their base – just like I like them! Also, most of my trees have a red or gold circle base!

The Bristles

Just like the base, the bristles of an old bottle brush tree will almost always show signs of wear. These ‘tree limbs’ are so fragile and over time they can become slightly bent and tattered. In addition, bristles can be missing altogether. I don’t let this bother me! I simply turn the tree to it’s ‘best side’ each Christmas.

The Main Middle Wire

I also usually check for age on the middle wire of the tree. It is very easy to see the wire, just check right at the base of the tree. I always am looking for signs of rust and signs of ‘dust build up’.

Markings

Every so ofter, you will find an old bottle brush tree with a ‘marking.’ Most of mine that DO have a marking simply have a “Japan” sticker. I also have a few with old trees with ‘price tags.’ Some tags are stamped on and some still have their stickers. A recent bottle brush tree that I picked up had a stamped price of $0.39! That is a very easy way to confirm that your bottle brush tree is indeed old!

Tree Decorations

I love my old trees that have ornaments and pinecones attached. These little details make my old bottle brush trees a little extra special for sure. Many times, however, these extra little decorations can become damaged as well. Most, if not all, of my decorated trees are missing little piece or two and I feel that it just adds to the charm of the tree!

Where to Find Vintage Bottle Brush Trees

As you know, I love shopping in person. I prefer strolling the aisles of antique stores and thrift stores to find these treasures. I have even found some of my best ones at estate sales. However, now you can find some really fun ones online as well. You can click here to shop online for some great older bottle brush trees. You can also look below to see some of the amazing ones that I have found online as well!