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I’ve always loved flocked Christmas trees and wanted one for myself. So, a few years ago, I attempted to flock my old 7.5 ft Christmas tree using just regular snow spray. But to be honest, I wasn’t satisfied with the result at all.
The Christmas tree flocking process is from 4:11 to 7:08, with all the detailed steps and techniques.
Snow spray is not the best option for flocking a Christmas tree. Since it’s just a spray, it lacks volume and texture, essentially just painting the branches white.
Most snow sprays leave a powdery, sticky layer on the surface, which can smudge later and get your hands and other things dirty. I don’t recommend using snow spray to flock a large Christmas tree.
Source: Santa snow spray
Basically, the snow spray just paints the branches white without providing the volume or realistic texture of real snow (at least the spray I used doesn’t). But that’s not what I disliked the most.
The snow spray doesn’t set well and leaves a powdery, kind of sticky layer on the surface that smudges easily when touched.
So after the holidays, when I packed the tree back into the box, all this “snow” smeared on the branches and my hands. And the next year, when I took the tree out again, the “snow” looked like dirt on the tree, which was not appealing at all. So, I ended up selling that tree.
I, personally, think these snow sprays are good for small DIY projects where you only need a touch of snow. But if you want to flock a large Christmas tree, it’s better to use an alternative method or just leave the tree green and avoid spoiling it.
The best way to flock a Christmas tree is to use special flocking powder, as it provides the volume and texture of real snow once applied to the branches. Flocking powder hardens firmly and adheres well to the branches.
So, this year, I took on a new DIY project: transforming my very old 5 ft Christmas tree, which had been gathering dust in my closet for years, into a modern and glamorous one! And the idea of DIY flocking came up again, but this time I was determined to get it right.
And finally, I achieved the look I wanted – a fluffy, heavily flocked tree just like the ones from the store! So I’m super excited to share the entire process and all the details with you here.
But before I dive into the process of how I did it, I want to address some of the most common questions about Christmas tree flocking powders so you have all the important information before deciding to flock your own Christmas tree.
A frequent question is how long the flocking on a tree will last and if it can be cleaned or removed to return to the original look.
The answer is that it can’t be removed or cleaned. This flocking is permanent, just like the type used on store-bought trees. So once you flock something, it’s there to stay.
While some shedding can happen, if applied correctly, it will be no more than what you’d experience with store-bought trees.
The flocking sticks and hardens only where it has good contact with water. That’s why I don’t skimp on water – both before applying the flock and on top of it. If the flock doesn’t have enough contact with water, it may not stick well and could come off. But if you thoroughly wet everything, the flocking will hold on firmly.
Most Christmas tree flocking powders are made from natural and non-toxic ingredients like cotton, cellulose (a wood and water byproduct), and corn products. These ingredients are usually biodegradable and environmentally friendly.
However, when you spray the flocking powder, it can release small particles into the air, which might irritate your airways or lungs and trigger asthma or allergies. So, it’s important to take safety precautions and wear a dust mask while applying the flock.
Note: Since flocking powders are becoming more popular, new products are always popping up. So make sure to check the ingredient list of each product before buying. The two products I mention in this blog post, Flock In A Box and SnoFlock, are safe and made from non-toxic ingredients.
Flocking powders are generally made from natural, non-toxic ingredients like cotton, cellulose, or corn products, so they’re unlikely to cause poisoning if swallowed since these ingredients are not well absorbed and are rarely harmful.
However, because the powder expands when it gets wet, it could cause an intestinal blockage if your pet eats a large amount of it. So if your pet tends to munch on random things, it might be best to avoid using flocking powder.
I’m fortunate that my cat doesn’t care about Christmas trees or decorations, so I’m not too concerned. Nonetheless, it’s important to be cautious and make sure your pets don’t ingest the powder.
If you have the opportunity, it’s best to take the tree outside, but be sure to choose a calm day without wind. Since I live in an apartment building, I didn’t have that option and had to handle it indoors.
To protect my floor and rug, I used a leak-proof sticky surface protection fabric. It kept everything clean and made the clean-up process much easier. But if you don’t have something similar, you can use large, strong trash bags cut flat and tape them to the floor instead.
If you’re doing this outdoors, think about how to protect the ground as well, because cleaning up and removing all the mess afterward might not be easy.
Before you start flocking the tree, you need to fluff up all the branches.
As you can see, my tree isn’t the best quality and has pretty sparse branches, so I had to fluff it as much as I could.
Fluffing the branches is best and easiest when done in sections. So I started by carefully fluffing all the branches in the first section.
I also like when the branches are slightly bent downward because it makes the flocked tree look more realistic, as if the snow is weighing them down. So, I tried to shape my branches this way for a more natural look.
Check out my detailed video guide on “How to fluff a Christmas tree” where I share 12 helpful tips for achieving that perfect, full look.
These tips will make your tree shine, promise ;-)!
I used a product called Flock In A Box.
I know that SnoFlock is a popular choice that I’ve heard a lot about, but it was out of stock when I needed it. So, I decided to try Flock In A Box, which also had great reviews on Amazon.
But, overall, I’m pretty sure that most flocking powders are pretty similar and probably made from the same basic ingredients.
The adhesive mechanism is activated by water, so before applying, you need to spray everything with warm water.
And after applying the flocking powder, spray it again to ensure the powder is in good contact with the water everywhere.
I wanted my tree to be really heavily flocked, so I applied the flocking powder in layers, making sure to get it deep into the branches and on the trunk.
I wanted the snow to cover the entire tree, not just outer branches, so I rotated the tree in all directions to spread the flock everywhere.
If you want to achieve the same heavy flocking on a large tree, it will be tricky to flock the inside, but it’s doable if you have someone to help you and if you work in sections like I did.
Let the flocked tree dry completely.
After finishing, I gave the whole tree one final mist to seal everything and let it dry for 24 hours.
Yes, it’s messy and takes time, but the end result is totally worth it!
I was really happy with the quality of this flocking powder – it hardens well and sticks to the branches firmly. Of course, some of it will come off here and there, but honestly, I think it’s no more than what you’d see on store-bought trees.
Please be aware that if you heavily flock your tree, it will get much bulkier and probably won’t fit back in its original box. So, plan ahead for how you’ll store your tree afterward.
Follow along to see the full transformation and how I took this Christmas tree to the next level! Check it out here
I hope you enjoyed this guide on how to flock a Christmas tree!
I’d love to hear how your project turned out or if you have any questions or tips to share. Drop a comment below and let me know your thoughts.
Happy decorating, and don’t forget to check out my other blog posts for more holiday inspiration🎄👇!
I’m Oksana and I love paper flowers and all things paper. Here at FancyBloom I design new flower templates, make paper flower tutorials, and share my ideas and inspiration for fancy and modern craft.
