How to Flock a Real Christmas Tree

Do you love the look of sparkling snow on a pine or fir tree? Do you love the look of a shimmering and glistening white Christmas tree? Then you might like a flocked or frosted Christmas tree. Of course, many Christmas tree farms will offer to flock your tree for you but that's an added expense to an already expensive Christmas tree. So save yourself some money, have fun and learn to flock your own tree this year. It may be a little messy, but it's not too difficult.

Home Made Flock
There are a few different recipes for home made flock. Most include ivory (or other white) soap flakes and water (some call for hot water). Some add liquid starch to make it thicker and stickier. Experiment to find what works best for you. Start by adding a little water at a time to the soap flakes and blending it until you have the consistency desired. You can then add and mix in blue food coloring (one drop at a time) to make an icy white or try another color for a more festive flocked Christmas tree.

Application: You will need a step stool or ladder (depending on the height of your tree). Use a paint brush or if you don't mind getting messy, your hands to apply.

Packaged Flock
You can also purchase packaged flock at the craftflocking.com website for $5.95 for an 8oz bag of snow bonding flock or $6.95 for pink or icy blue bonding flock. You will need approximately 8 bags for a 6 foot tree which will cost you a little under $50. They also sell a tree flocking kit ($39.95) with one pound of snow flock included and attachments which allow you to apply the flock with the aid of your vacuum.

Application: You will need a stepstool or ladder (depending on the height of your tree), a spray bottle and a flour sifter. Put the bonding flock in the sifter. With the sifter in one hand and the spray bottle in the other, dust the tree while misting the bonding flock as it falls on the tree. Or recruit a family member or friend to help.

Additional Tips
1. Arrange your Christmas tree branches in the way you like and allow the tree to settle in that position for a few days before flocking.
2. This is a messy project. Do it outside or in the garage.
3. If you are hoping for a natural look, study how snow sits on real trees. Try a google image search of snowy trees. You will notice there is still quite a bit of green showing on most trees.
4. Use mica dust to achieve an icy cool sparkle on the tree.

Flocking your own tree can be a great deal of fun and save you money as well. If you have been dreaming of a snow covered Christmas tree, why not give it try this year?

Sources:
ThriftyFun.Com: Homemade Christmas Tree Flocking (Discussion). < http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf43729864.tip.html> Accessed on October 27, 2009.
Youtube.com: Flocking a Christmas Tree by Viettes Gardening Tips. < http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y7P5ibZX-yo> Accessed on October 27, 2009.
EHow: How to Flock a Christmas Tree. < http://www.ehow.com/how_4673110_flock-christmas-tree.html> Accessed on October 27, 2009.