Collection Challenge #125 - Vintage Icicles/Tinsel

You may remember the other day that I found some vintage tinsel icicles that were pink.  A color I had never found before.

After seeing this find, I had an email from a blog reader who asked if I collected the old tinsel icicles that were made of lead.  I looked around and actually had a nice little variety of vintage icicles.  I had a few of the old lead variety, but also some other interesting types.  I can't find the email (that I thought I saved) of who challenged me to this collection..so if you are reading this please pipe up in a comment! SHE PIPED UP...thanks Lynngweeny for the suggestion.

Here are some of my packages of tinsel.  I, of course like the graphics...I sound like a broken record with that remark.  Top left row is the old heavy lead type. The other three packages in the top row are from 1968.

I know they are from 1968 as when you turn the package over there is an ad to win an exciting Vermont Ski Vacation.  The contest ends on Dec. 31, 1968. I missed that deadline big time.

Here are some of my older packages of tinsel icicles.

I like that some of the packages have directions on how to properly hang the tinsel icicles.

"It is important that you hang icicles neatly...close together...covering the tree fully." In addition to the tinsel style icicles, I have some other varieties.

These are made of a twisted tin.

These are plastic and have tiny hooks on the end for hanging. Another variety of plastic.

Some in a pale green and a lone one in gold.

Icicle glass ornaments.

Some more in plastic that someone wired in pairs for easy hanging.
I found this envelope a few years ago.  It is full of glo-in-the-dark ornaments.  Note the last item listed under contents...36 free glo-icicles.

Here are some of the free icicles. I have not punched them from the original cardboard.

A few more.

I found a whole box the other day of the twisted tin icicles.  These are different as they are about twice the length of the tin ones in the earlier photo.

And of course I love the original price tag of 65 cents.

A huge variety of icicles.  I think I own enough to decorate a forest of trees.

If you have a suggestion for a future collection challenge, leave me a comment and finish the sentence "Show me your collection of ____." 

Can you believe this is #125?

Comments

[Doreen]

Congratulations on #125!
The pink icicles are just up your alley. Wouldn't all the trees look a little prettier with some shiny tinsel on them? I can see you like an elf going out at night and decorating all the trees LOL. I love the graphics on things too.It's like the graphics on boxes or containers are announcing what's inside which makes it even more special.
Thanks for sharing!

[Sheryl Remy]

I have some of the twisted tin that I have mainly found a piece at a time. It's great to see an original box. There is such variety. I even love the honey container. This is the first year my husband and I have worked with bees. We have four hives. So far our friends have enjoyed the honey. Sheryl

[Lynngweeny]

Hi!

I'm the reader who asked about your tinsel collection.
You were so nice to reply so quickly.
I knew when you said that you didn't have enough for a collection that it would only be a matter of time
before you realized you did!
I have 20 or so boxes of lead tinsel that I bought in a thrift shop years ago for a dime each and use it every year on our tree..... I loves it!
p.s. no pets or kids to eat it so no worries.
I also loves your blog!
Lynngweeny
Thanks for sharing!

[Diane]

Very cool! I have some of the solid plastic with the hooks on top (were my grandparents'), and just last year I saw an Etsy seller say the glow in the dark. I couldn't get mine to glow. Have you ever tried it?

[Holly]

Oh I can remember vacuuming up the thin ones all year long when i was a little girl! Memories! ♥

[Melissa]

I am a sucker for graphics each and every time!
I love your attic stash. I think I can blame my excessive holiday hoard in the attic to the fact that my over 100 year old house has a very easy, accessible staircase. Add to that the fact that the attic is the entire expanse of the house. See...it's not my fault, it's the attic's fault. If it didn't want to store all these holiday things it wouldn't make it so easy...and I am sticking to my story...

[Debbie]

Laurie,

You are the queen of estate sales! You could open a museum with all of your vintage goodies!! It's nice that someone like you has all these things, and loves and appreciates them, instead of them being in a landfill someplace. I used to have these kinds of tinsel on my tree as a kid. We had a dauchshound that used to eat it. Then of course his poop was very festive looking! lol

[Kathy]

I love the box with the fireplace on the front. You could create w hole Christmas card around that!
I am also very glad they thought better of continuing to make them from lead - yikes! I bet the seight made them drape nicely, though.

[Mary Borum]

Hi Laurie, I loved all the tinsel but especially the really old boxes. I never realized that some tinsel had lead in it, and I don't remember ever seeing colored tinsel. Very fun!
Please show me your collection of scarecrows. I love them and seeing yours would show me what else is out there. Plus, it is just fun seeing your collections.
Thanks. Mary B.

[Annette]

125 is an amazing number!! I know I don't collect that many things. I do miss the "real" tinsel...

[Elizabeth]

Laurie, It's a good thing you moved all those Christmas ornaments from your driveway to your spare bedroom as I am the type to stop at any curb and collect what's there! Tinsel! I love it and battle with my family each year whether it is a tinsel year or not. Love this post! E

[Heather]

Sweet collection, and I just love all the neat graphics on the boxes. I think you need to open up a museum of all your treasures! I would be there everyday!! xo Heather

[janet]

The boxes are amazing! Love the one with the fireplace.
Now, I know why we used to call it "rain". I remember hanging all those boxes of icicles on our tree, one strand at a time (as directed on the box). It look so pretty with the large lights with reflectors. And when the furnace came on, the icicles would sway with the air movement. Magical.
Thanks for the memories.

[barbara]

Love those graphics, too. I would love to put tinsel on the tree but it's bad for pets (and a big mess, if I remember from childhood correctly!) My favorite scene in one of my favorite Christmas movies (The Bishop's Wife) is when the angel trims the tree just by waving his hands - like magic it's filled with icicles. Heavenly.