Do not smear it on needles or apply it to the underside of the branches; this will make it look more artificial. Only Two Ingredients needed to Flock a Tree. Start off by spraying the branches. Storing your flocked Christmas tree:-Wrapping the tree in plastic, whether it be large trash bags duct taped together or saran wrap around the entire tree has worked the best for me. A flocked Christmas tree, or "flocking a Christmas tree," simply refers to the process by which many people around the word capture the real feeling of a winter wonderland via a generous dusting of artificial snow. I've already done up 3 different decorated Christmas trees now and I'm feeling it, y'all. (Idk, seems smart.) Lift branches if necessary to get full coverage. The top is tricky, because the flocking sticks to the top of the branches (like snow). After spraying the branch with water, apply the bonding flock with a shifter for smooth flocks. 10 Houseplants That Can Survive the Darkest Corner, 93 Best Easy Low-Carb Recipes With Tons of Flavor, Ben & Erin Napier Talk 'Home Town' Season 5. I was so pleased that the flocking lasted really well in storage. Spray a section of the tree with water. This is why many people prefer to buy their trees pre-flocked. Then spray the tray with more water to set it Seems simple and it is, but as I am fussy I thought I would share how I did it. I fluffed the branches first, after the tree came out of his hiding box. However, if you're still game to try out this snowy DIY, we recommend starting at the back of the tree or on a part that's less front and center. Combine the soap shavings with liquid cornstarch or white glue in a mixer on medium speed. As the flock falls a little, it will land on branches below taking care of itself a bit. You might also want to don some gloves to protect your hands. Make sure the tree is unplugged. Christmas tree flocking spray and self-adhesive powders, which people apply themselves (the most popular method). Whether you're into a more rustic Christmas tree—something that's been just chopped down at the Christmas tree farm minutes before you buy it—or you're dusting off an artificial tree that you've preserved in the attic year after year, flocking will work on either. To store a flocked artificial Christmas tree and maintain as much flocking on it for the next year, cover it with sturdy plastic wrap or plastic bags. Soap shavings are the most convenient and affordable option (though laundry detergent, shaving cream, and coconut also work). ‘Tis the season to ditch your all-white palette in favor of something a little bolder and brighter. Sprinkle & Spray. But first, let's begin by answering a few basic questions about the pretty phenomenon known as flocking a Christmas tree. Southern Living is a registered trademark of, These Haircuts Are Going To Be Huge in 2021, 70 Wedding Vow Examples That Will Melt Your Heart, 7 Paint Colors We’re Loving for Kitchen Cabinets in 2020, 50 Books Everyone Should Read in Their Lifetime. You might not get the entire amount off, but this method should remove the majority of the flocking. is still captivating. You can easily add faux snow to trees, wreaths, pinecones and in addition, they stay looking great year after year! If I had wanted to flock it more heavily, I probably would have used the whole bag for a smaller sized tree (itâs about a six footer). Wet the tree again with a spray bottle, grab a cloth, and rub the flocking from the needles. © Copyright 2021 Meredith Corporation. Add some of the flocking powder into the strainer and sift it onto the damp tree from above. Use a paintbrush to apply in dollops. More about us. Iâm sharing 2 Easy Steps to Flock a Christmas Tree & more, without all that mess. Youâre ready to flock! Some flock will fall off the needles and land on branches below. Christmas decorating is in FULL SWING up over here. After we put it together, we realized that it needed some love. You may be able to find more information about this and similar content at piano.io, The Absolute Best Board Games for Kids in 2021, Unique Photo Gift Ideas for the Whole Family, The Best Gift Ideas for Teen Boys This Year, 68 Paws-itively Wonderful Gifts for Dog Lovers, 66 Gifts for Teen Girls That They Actually Want, Winter Quotes to Help You Celebrate the Season. Make sure you have the drop cloth spread out under your project area. Minor flocking is what I went for (I personally like the less-is-more approach, especially for a real tree) but the process is easy and you can quickly make the tree look more or less flocked. How To Flock an Artificial Tree with Snow Spray. Who needs real snow when you've got a tree as beautiful as this? The first step is to set up the tree and fluff the branches. Back in the day—the early to mid-1900s, to be exact—Christmas trees were flocked with materials like cotton, cornstarch, and flour. So plan to work through the entire flocking process once small section at a time. Work in a basement, garage, or outdoors. We also suggest that you take safety precautions by wearing a mask or goggles to keep from ingesting the flocking solution. The trendy haircuts you’ll be seeing everywhere next year. How to Flock a Christmas Tree The flocking comes with complete directions, but basically, you pre-wet the tree branches with a water sprayer, sprinkle the powder on using a fine mesh sifter while you spray it with water. Some of it did flake off in the box and when I took it out to wrap around the stairway but it still looks so fresh a year later. I used about half a bag for this smallish tree, but I went fairly light. One thing to note is that I by no means claim to be a professional. How to flock a Christmas tree: The Cheap and Easy Way In an outdoor well ventilated space put down a tarp and place your artificial tree in the middle. Using a spray bottle, spritz on a little bit of water where you want the flocking to adhere and then sprinkle on the flocking {with your hands or with the sifter}. To get more even coverage, you can shake the flocking through a sifter positioned over the tree branches. The flocking is so aptly named, Flock In A Box. While I love a natural, green Christmas tree, I think thereâs something magical about a snow-covered tree. Flocking refers to a synthetic dust or powder that you can use to achieve the look of a Christmas tree with snow indoors. You will be getting your Christmas tree wet as you flock it and you donât want to get electrocuted! We've got everything you need to know when it comes to flocking a Christmas tree, storing a flocked synthetic tree, or simply decorating a tree once it's been flocked. Then I separated the tree into the three sections it came in. I picked these cute little trees up in the dollar spot at Target for $3 each. Pour the flocking powder into the sifter and shake over the area you sprayed with water. 2. This is the original flocked tree and garland that I put together last year. Note: A flocked tree can't get wet again after this otherwise it won't dry. Flocking is a bit messy, so avoid it by applying flocking outdoors. Most of the water will have dried or evaporated by then. Once itâs dry, itâs ready to decorate. What Is It Worth? I had bought this 7 Christmas tree on craigslist to save some dollars. We opted to string the lights onto the tree before adding the flocking powder, but this is completely optional. Flocking can be applied to any artificial or real tree. Learn how to season this Southern kitchen staple in five easy steps. After flocking one section of the tree, mist that section again with the spray bottle to activate the flocking and seal it to the branches. When you're ready to begin the flocking process, fill a spray bottle with water and start with one section of the tree, misting the needles. Christmas tree flocking kits. If you aren't familiar with it, flocking is usually done in one of three ways: If you are going to do it yourself at home, here are some tips for creating a flawless look: WATCH: How to Flock a Christmas Tree in 8 Simple Steps. Continue this process for the rest of the tree, remembering to spread the branches out as you assemble the tree. Consider making your own flock. Itâs up to you! Fluff your entire tree and unplug any lights. Work in small sections starting at the top of the tree. Wear goggles, gloves, and a mask to protect yourself from ingesting any harmful materials. Country Living editors select each product featured. I worked in a few sections at a time starting at the top. Southern Living is part of the Meredith Home Group. Start at the top of the tree and work your way down. Start with the snow blanket to provide some fullness at the base or just place your tree skirt there. And flocked Christmas trees are an easy and fast way to make your cold-weather holiday dreams come true (especially alongside baking holiday cookies, shopping for the best personalized gifts, and fun projects like DIY ornaments). But if you've got flocking remorse... No problem. What you need to flock a Christmas tree: Bonding flock - 2 x 2pound bags was enough for a 7 tree ⦠Use a spray bottle to lightly mist a section of the tree with water. How to Flock a Christmas Tree. Then using a spray bottle (or if youâre outside you can use a mister attachment for the hose), liberally wet the tree. These include a misting gun, which filters an even amount of flock and water to achieve an even, realistic look. Learn how to flock a Christmas tree yourself. The flock adhesive is activated by water so itâs not enough to spray your whole tree down and then apply the flock. Since theyâre so small, itâs a lot easier to show you how to do it rather than try to flock a 9â strand of garland. These days, though, trees can be purchased pre-flocked—aka already dusted with "snow"—or they can easily be spruced up at home using modern-day ingredients. I thought about using a tarp or my canvas drop cloth, but I ended up having to toss the ground cover that I used in the trash. If your tree is dusty, wipe off dust with a dry cloth. If that's not possible, cover the floor beneath the tree with a tarp or an old sheet — the white powder gets messy. You might notice that if you don't use enough water from the first step, the flocking will simply fall right off, so this way, you'll be able to "test out" your skills on a less-noticeable region. Use a spray bottle to mist a section of the tree with water first, then scoop some of the flock into your strainer and sift it onto the damp tree. Spray the flocked section once more with water. Here's What to Know About Potted Christmas Trees, Here's How to Fix Burned-Out Christmas Lights, How to Watch the National Christmas Tree Lighting, How to Keep Your Christmas Tree Alive All Season. Fight writer's block and find ways to express your love with these romantic, funny, and short wedding vow examples. Take your Christmas tree outside. The more you spray on, the whiter it gets. fill a spray bottle with water and start with one section of the tree, misting the needles. Spray the flocked section of the tree ⦠First, assemble your Christmas tree and adjust each individual branch/stem to give your tree an extra-full appearance. You then want to lightly re-spray the area ⦠Christmas tree flocking kits. Splurge on a professionally flocked tree. While most flocking sprays are safe to handle, some have been known to contain propellants, solvents, and other potentially harmful chemicals if ingested. Christmas Tree Stand: What Is It? Keep alternating the spraying and flocking until the bottom part of the tree is thick enough. This creates a more natural snow-fallen look, and it will save you from doing double the work. Alternatively you can use a spray bottle to mist your Christmas tree, but I found it was faster and easer to use a garden hose. If your tree is artificial, you can assemble it first or apply the flocking in sections. Apply the flock to only the tips of the needles, and allow it to form clusters. To start, prepare a space with a drop cloth and enough room for you to create a bit of a mess, as this isn't the most tidy process. You may be able to find the same content in another format, or you may be able to find more information, at their web site. All you need is some flocking, a sifter, and a Christmas tree or garland. Spray down your Christmas tree with a garden hose with the nozzle set to mist. Once the needles are damp, sprinkle the flocking onto the tree. If you are using a self-adhesive powder, a handheld sifter will make the job a lot easier. Once you're done applying the flock, allow the tree to dry for eight to 24 hours, depending on the size of the tree. Steps to decorate a flocked tree. Flocking your tree is a great way to get your white Christmas fix no matter what mother nature has in store.