We all dream of a white Christmas, full of magic. The good news is that even if there is no chance of a snowy festive season, you can still recreate the lovely atmosphere with a beautifully flocked Christmas tree.
In recent years, the flocking process has turned into quite a popular solution for bringing the winter wonderland into your home or garden. Therefore, in this article, we will show you how to flock a Christmas tree easily and seamlessly at home.
So, if you:
Want to learn what is the easiest way to flock a Christmas tree;
Are wondering whether you can flock a fake and real Christmas tree;
Want to know what tools you’ll need for your DIY Christmas flocking project;
Then, read on.
TL;DR
Flocking means dusting a real or artificial Christmas tree with artificial snow, which is different from buying a tree with white plastic needles.
Flocking powder or flocking spray gives the most authentic and longest-lasting result. Homemade pastes made from cornstarch or flour, white glue and shaving cream also work.
Work in a well-ventilated room (or outdoors), protect the floor and tree base, and fluff the branches first. With powder, mist the tree with water before and after applying. Spray needs no water.
Allow 8 to 24 hours for the tree to dry. Thicker layers take longer.
Flocking is permanent. A flocked artificial tree can last up to 8-10 years, while a real cut tree lasts 4-6 weeks.
What is a flocked Christmas tree?
If you have never heard the term ‘flocked tree’, it refers to the process of evergreen plants being dusted with artificial snow. This should not be confused with fake Christmas trees designed with white plastic needles – here a white flocking powder is used for a more customised effect.
Flocking can be applied to both artificial and real Christmas trees. While there are many pre-flocked evergreen trees available on the market, one of the benefits of flocking your tree is that it can save you money and allow you to express your creativity. And the best part is that it’s really easy to do.
In the past, materials like cotton, flour and cornstarch were used to create a snow effect on Christmas trees. Nowadays, we use modern-day flocking powder, which is mostly made of tiny cellulose or cotton fibres, self-adhesive and often fire-retardant and glitter.
While you can opt to use materials like soap flakes, white glue or spray paint, we recommend using snow spray for the Christmas tree or flocking powder for a more authentic result. Flocking has been designed specifically for decorating Christmas trees, it lasts longer and is a preferred option by florists and professionals alike.
How to flock a Christmas tree with flocking powder
While a flocked Christmas tree creates a magical atmosphere, the process can get quite messy. Before you begin, we recommend choosing a room with good ventilation that you won’t use immediately after. If you can do this outdoors, that would be even better. Keep in mind that after flocking, the tree will need some time to dry completely.
What you need to flock a Christmas tree
Drop cloth
Plastic bag
Flocking powder
Water
Spray bottle
Fine-mesh strainer
Total Time:50 minutes
Prepping for work
Spread a drop cloth or plastic sheeting over the floor. Wrap a plastic bag around the base of your tree to protect it from flocking powder. Make sure to open and fluff the branches if your tree is artificial to achieve a fuller look and better coverage.
Spraying the tree
Using a spray bottle, mist the tree with water while paying special attention to the tops of the branches. At the same time, be careful not to oversaturate the Christmas tree.
Applying the flocking
Place the flocking powder in a fine-mesh strainer for more even distribution over the branches. Start from the top and move to the bottom. Work your way from the tips inwards. If you are flocking an artificial tree, it would be easier to take it apart and work section by section. This way, you can reach and apply powder to the entire branches and not just on the tips.
Finishing touches
For better coverage, continue applying the flocking powder until you achieve the desired look. Finally, mist with water again to seal the powder and let the tree dry for at least 8 hours.
The steps required to flock a Christmas tree with spray don’t differ much from those when using flocking powder. You won’t need to spray water before and after but still, adequate preparation and a well-ventilated working space are necessary.
What you need:
Drop cloth
Plastic bag
Flocking spray
A step-by-step guide to flocking a tree with spray:
Preparing Spread a drop cloth and wrap the base of your Christmas tree in a plastic bag. Don’t forget to fluff the tree branches. You will also need to shake the flocking spray before using it.
Spray the tree Spray the tops of the branches using back-and-forth motions. The closer you hold the flocking spray to the branches, the denser the snow will appear.
Layering and drying Continue applying the Christmas tree snow spray until you reach the desired coverage. Once you are done, leave the tree to dry completely.
How do you make homemade flocking, and what to use?
If you don’t feel comfortable using store-bought flocking products, you can try making your own. As we mentioned before, flour and cornstarch were the most popular products for the job in the past, so it’s safe to use them.
Make sure you wear gloves when you apply the paste to the tree because it could get messy. Leave the tree to dry overnight, and you can add decorations.
How long does it take for a flocked Christmas tree to dry?
Flocked Christmas trees usually need between 8 and 24 hours to dry. However, it matters what kind of flocking material you’ve used and how much of it you’ve applied. The thicker the layers of flocking material, the longer it will take for your tree to dry.
Store-bought flocking powders and sprays should have suggested drying time in their instructions. They harden as they dry, so you can check by touching the flocked branches. If the material is hard and doesn’t come off, then it’s safe to bring out the decorations.
You can speed up the drying process by placing the tree in a warmer room. Keep in mind, though, that this works for artificial trees. Real trees are better placed away from heat sources and sunlight.
How long will a flocked tree last?
This depends on the type of tree you have. A real cut Christmas tree will last no more than 4-6 weeks as this is its usual lifespan. A flocked artificial tree, however, can last for up to 8 -10 years. This number, of course, depends on the quality of the material and how you store it.
If you handle your fake tree with care and keep it away from direct sunlight, then the white flocking material should remain in place and won’t start to yellow over time, which often happens with usage. Keep an eye on it and, if necessary, do some additional touch-ups here and there to maintain that festive look.
Whether store-bought or homemade, flocking materials contain adhesive, which makes them stick firmly to the branches. Therefore, flocking a Christmas tree is permanent.
Attempting to clean it will only result in a big mess and possibly damage to the branches. So, you can either wrap and store your flocked Christmas tree or just get a new, fresh tree to enjoy.
Order a real Christmas tree
Christmas without a Christmas tree is just not the same. However, if you don’t have enough time for shopping around, you can opt for Christmas tree delivery. Fantastic Services offers delivery of either pot-grown Norway spruces or real-cut Nordmann Firs.
When the Christmas season is over, you can also trust the friendly team to help you dispose of your tree or transplant it directly into your garden.
A snowy-white tree in a few easy steps, whatever the weather
Flocking is an affordable, creative way to bring a snowy look indoors, and it works on both real and artificial trees. Whether you choose flocking powder, snow spray or a homemade paste, careful preparation, good ventilation and enough drying time are what give you a neat, even finish. Just remember that the result is permanent, so it’s worth being happy with the look before you start.
Let us know what you think in the comments section below. We look forward to hearing from you!
