13 Christmas Decorations We Once Loved That Are Now Banned Today
This post may contain affiliate links.
The National Retail Federation predicts that holiday spending in 2024 will reach a record $960.4 billion. People will spend about $261 on other festive items, such as decorations.
However, many things we used to hang around the house during the festive season are no longer available in the markets—not because people are tired of them, but simply because they have been deemed dangerous. Here are 13 Christmas decorations we enjoyed before but have since stopped using.
Tinsel Made with Lead
In the mid-20th century, tinsel added sophistication to Christmas trees. However, the material used was lead, a poisonous metal that had negative effects on health, particularly children’s.
Lead poisoning from tinsel was a problem because it affected children’s growth and damaged their organs if they accidentally ate or breathed in the particles.
Use of Methylene Chloride
KSL NewsRadio recently published a report stating that the Environmental Protection Agency had finally prohibited methylene chloride. This chemical, which is widely used as a paint stripper, has been associated with liver cancer and other life-threatening diseases.
Incandescent Christmas Lights
As the new policies of the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) show, the production and sale of traditional light bulbs have been prohibited in April 2022, as reported by abc7NY.
The regulation also provides that light bulbs shall have a luminous efficacy of not less than 45 lumens per watt, meaning brightness. Incandescent bulbs, for instance, give only about 15 lumens per watt, which is below the recommended figure.
Natural Christmas Trees in Retail Stores
New York City has legislation that disallows the use of natural Christmas trees in retail areas due to fire issues. The same measures are also present in other cities, such as Philadelphia.
Religious Symbols in Public Displays
According to Becket—Religious Liberty for All, it is unlawful in King County, Washington, to have religious holiday decorations in the workplace, including virtual backgrounds. This implies that things such as a crib, hanukiah, or cross cannot be displayed in common areas or during virtual meetings.
However, employees can wear or keep religious items in their workplace. The policy is meant to avoid discomforting other employees who may not hold the same beliefs as the employee.
Spray Snow (Containing Asbestos)
Spray snow was once popular in the market, giving trees and windows a frozen-like look. However, since the mid-twentieth century, many companies have incorporated asbestos into their products without prior knowledge of its adverse effects.
As Mesothelioma Hub puts it, it was then realized that asbestos-caused diseases such as mesothelioma. In 1978, the EPA outlawed spray-on textures and decorations, including what is commonly known as popcorn ceiling paint, that contained asbestos.
Natural Christmas Trees in Multi-Family Dwellings
The Express has highlighted that natural Christmas trees in some regions of the USA are not allowed in multi-family buildings for fire safety reasons.
For instance, in Philadelphia, natural trees are prohibited during Christmas celebrations in high-rise apartment buildings, condominiums, and businesses due to the high risks of fire breakout that dry trees pose.
Crosses on Christmas Trees
According to Reader’s Digest, Knightstown, Indiana, banned using a cross on top of a Christmas tree in public places in 2016. An American Civil Liberties Union spokesperson said the cross is not considered a Christmas icon.
Christmas Lights with Non-Compliant Wiring
BAN Toxics advises consumers about the dangers of using non-compliant Christmas lights and decorations with high lead content. The group examined several samples of holiday lights and found that lead content varied from 10 800 ppm to 100 000 ppm.
The levels are much higher than the maximum lead allowed under the European Union’s Restriction of Hazardous Substances (RoHS) Directive, which is 1,000 ppm.
Candy Canes in Schools
A school principal in Nebraska prohibited candy canes because they are associated with Christianity in the form of a “J”-shaped curve.
Use Of Excessive Holiday Lights
Some cities outlaw so-called “light trespass,” whereby seasonal lighting can shine into other people’s homes or interfere with local fauna and flora.
Oversized Inflatable Decorations
Inflatable Christmas decorations appeared on the market, but their big sizes frequently interfered with traffic or caused electrical issues. In response, there are new, smaller models of inflatables that consume less energy and are rather cute and useful.
Clark Simson Miller points out that HOAs usually prohibit inflatable decorations because they are usually large.
Cultural Misrepresentation in Ornaments
During the holiday season, some ornaments are sold in Native American style or Indian-inspired designs, but they are not genuine. According to the United States Department of the Interior, counterfeit Indian arts and crafts are being marketed as Native American products.
This misrepresentation dupes consumers and also devalues Native artists and communities’ cultural work. The Indian Arts and Crafts Act (IACA) prevents fraud, but numerous products are sold with imprecise labels, such as ‘Native American inspired.’ Real artisans should be supported to protect their traditions and avoid being mistreated.
Disclaimer – This list is solely the author’s opinion based on research and publicly available information.
31 Forgotten Household Items from the Past
31 Forgotten Household Items from the Past
15 Surprising Things That Decorated Every 70s Home But Are Now Extinct
15 Surprising Things That Decorated Every 70s Home But Are Now Extinct
