Mid-Century Magic: A Tale of Toys and Aluminum Christmas Trees

The Mid-Century Magic exhibition examined the relatively brief aluminum Christmas tree phenomenon (1959-1965) and toys associated with the wider mid-century period (1950-1969). The multi-colored trees and toys reflect a particular period of retro design and consumerism that generates wistful nostalgia and delight for audiences today. The 18 aluminum Christmas trees were lent by Stephen and Mary Pruitt, and were installed alongside selections of mid-century toys in the Museum’s collection. The exhibition also explored fast-changing tastes in toy manufacturing and Christmas trees. The incredible popularity of aluminum Christmas trees quickly died out with the 1965 release of A Charlie Brown Christmas, an animated television special, in which real Christmas trees are presented as the symbolic way to save American culture and find the true, authentic meaning of the holidays again.