A Guide to Flocking Your Christmas Tree for the Ultimate Festive Look

Learn how to flock your tree better than mother nature herself

Co-authored by Dev Murphy

Last Updated: November 21, 2022 References

Using Flocking Powder

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Using Flocking Spray

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Things You'll Need

It’s that time of year again! The time when everything outdoors is covered in beautiful, sparkling snow and you’re breaking out your fake tree—or braving the cold to cut down a real one. Flocking a Christmas tree, whether real or artificial, is a great way to experience a winter wonderland indoors without the freezing cold! Read on: we’ve got everything you need to know about flocking your tree this holiday season. So get your tree and ornaments ready—soon your Christmas fir will be gleaming with snow and baubles galore.

Things You Should Know

Use flocking powder or flocking spray to give your Christmas tree a winter wonderland makeover.
Apply flocking to a real or artificial Christmas tree.
Do all your flocking outside or in a garage, and wear a mask while you flock.
Flock your tree heavily and from close up to give the appearance of a heavy snowfall, or stand a few feet away if you want to give the effect of a light snow.

Method 1

Method 1 of 2:

Using Flocking Powder

1
Lay down a tarp to flock your tree on. Flocking is a simple and fun craft, but it can be a bit of a mess! Be sure to lay down a tarp or drop cloth before beginning, and work away from any valuables. If possible, flock your tree outside or in the garage.^{[1]
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- Make sure to work in a well-ventilated area and wear a mask: flocking powder is nontoxic and safe once fully adhered, but it consists of tiny fibers (the “snow”) that shouldn’t be inhaled during application.^{[2]
  X
  Trustworthy Source
  Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
  Main public health institute for the US, run by the Dept. of Health and Human Services
  Go to source}
- Cover the base of your tree with a tarp or garbage bag so that it doesn’t get flocked.
- Only flock a bare tree—wait to decorate your Christmas tree until the flocking has been applied and has fully dried.
2
Use a spray bottle to wet your Christmas tree with water. Whether you are using a real or artificial tree, it needs to be wet in order for the flocking powder to adhere. Don’t drench your tree—just dampen it with a spray bottle.^{[3]
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- You don't need to spray the entire tree, either: only mist the tops of the branches, where snow would naturally fall and stick.
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3
Use a sifter to sprinkle flocking on the tree branches, starting from the top. Work your way from the tip of your Christmas tree all the way down to the lowest branches, shaking up and down gently rather than back and forth, and sprinkling only small handfuls of flocking powder at a time. The powder will adhere to the wet tree.^{[4]
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- Using a sifter will help you sprinkle the powder evenly, like real snow. Sprinkling the powder with your hands is likely to yield uneven clumps of snow.
- Be careful not to load too much powder onto the tree, or else your branches might droop!
- Don’t apply powder close to the tree trunk. Not only will this cause the branches to droop, but real snow usually only drifts onto exposed branches.
- Consider adding mica powder or glitter to your tree while it's still wet for a really magical look!
4
Wet the tree again and let it dry for 1 to 2 days. Dampening the branches a second time will ensure the flocking powder really sticks. Spray your tree from about 12 inches (30 cm) away to make sure you don’t disrupt your design, and then let your tree dry undisturbed for 24 to 48 hours. You'll know it's dry when the flocking is hard, rather than sticky.^{[5]
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- If you've dragged your tree outside to flock, place it in your garage or under an awning to protect it from any real snow! Snow or rain can wash your flocking away.
- Make sure to keep any small children away from the tree while it dries.
5
Flock again if you want, or decorate your tree. Once your Christmas tree is totally dry, you can apply a second coating of flocking powder to give it a really wintry look, or bring it inside, throw on some Bing Crosby, pull out the ornaments, and decorate!^{[6]
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- A real flocked tree will last a bit longer than a real unflocked tree, as the powder will help prevent the tree’s needles from falling off.
- If your tree gets jostled, some flocking could shake loose and fall off. Carefully spot-flock your tree as needed. Unless you're touching up a huge portion of the tree, you probably don't need to take it back outside again, but make sure to keep the area protected while it dries.
- If you’re flocking an artificial tree, properly store it after the holidays: wrap it in plastic wrap to prevent the flocking from falling off and store it upright. A flocked artificial tree will last for years without needing to be reflocked.^{[7]
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- If you're applying a second coat as well as glitter or mica, wait to apply the glitter or mica until after you've freshly applied the final coat.

Method 2

Method 2 of 2:

Using Flocking Spray

1
Set your tree up on a tarp or drop cloth. Because flocking isn’t a tidy craft, it’s best to work over a tarp! Make sure to mask up and work in a well-ventilated area, as aerosol flock can cause irritation if ingested.^{[8]
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Trustworthy Source
U.S. National Capital Poison Center
Independent poison control center providing resources to prevent poisonings and save lives
Go to source} If you can, work outside or in a garage or workshop.
- Keep any valuables covered or in another room while you work. (A flocked tree looks great. A flocked rocking chair? Not so much.)
- Use a garbage bag or another tarp to protect the base of the tree so that it doesn’t get flocked as well.
2
Add a light layer of flock spray, starting at the top and working your way down. Spray slowly, moving back and forth steadily. To create the illusion of a light snow, keep the spray can 1 foot (0.30 m) to 2 feet (0.61 m) away from the tree as you spray. Spraying from close up will give the appearance of a heavy snowfall.^{[9]
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- It’s a good idea to try spraying something else before you begin flocking your tree to practice your technique. Flocking spray is a cheap and simple way to give your tree that wintry look, but it may take some practice to achieve your desired effect.
- Flocking really takes your tree up a notch, but you can go the extra mile by adding glitter or mica powder to your freshly flocked tree.
3
Let the flock dry overnight and then decorate your tree. On average, a tree flocked with flocking spray will dry after about 4 hours, but if you’ve applied a heavy coat of spray, it may take 24 hours for your tree to completely dry. To be on the safe side, let your tree dry overnight. You'll know it's dry when it's hard to the touch and no longer tacky. Then it’s time to bring it inside and decorate!^{[10]
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- While flocking spray is simpler to use than flocking powder, it may require more than one can to fully cover your tree (unless you’re aiming for the appearance of a really light snowfall), so buy an extra can or 2 just to be safe.