Making Your Christmas Tree Look like it is Covered with Snow

Of course some tree supplies will flock or spray fake snow on your tree for you. Here are some tips if you do it yourself.

Growing up we sometimes had a real tree but as long as I can remember we have had artificial trees in my family. Of course artificial trees now are thousand times better than the ones I grew up with. They come flocked already, colored, pre-lit with lights and very realistic looking.

However if you do decide to flock your artificial or for that matter you can do it to a real tree but only if you are getting rid of it after the holidays and you don't intend on planting it after the holiday.

The term flock basically means to make it look as though snow has hit the branches in a real manner. You are not supposed to totally paint the tree with snow because that wouldn't be realistic. Just envision a tree in the forest after a snowfall, the tops of the branches have a dusting of snow and the tip of the tree but underneath you can still see the tree's greenery.

1. I guess over the years if I did decide to frost or flock my tree, I went the cheapest route possible and gently sprayed a light dusting of canned snow to the ends of the branches. Canned snow is easily found in most stores but you better stock up early cause it is widely used for windows and other decorating ideas around Christmas time. You can buy it for about one dollar per spray can, just remember one can is never enough.

Another note to remember is that it is tacky until it dries and if sprayed on windows, ornaments or trees should be sprayed from a couple of steps back since you don't want to spray it on thickly. Just a dusting is good enough and much more realistic. You should always try it on a box or something to get the hang of it before you apply it to what you want to decorate so you know what your doing and how far to stand away.

I love the effect in windows cause it looks like a frosty snowing morning with snow sticking to the windows in the corners. On the Christmas tree it doesn't take much to give that white dusting appeal of a gentle snow, just make sure it is dried good before lights or ornaments are added.

2. A old time recipe for flock is said to be approximately 2 or 3 cups of white soap powder mixed with about a cup of liquid starch and food coloring. Stir up the mixture until it is a thickened liquid that one can apply with a brush to the branches of a tree. The desired effect is a glistening white stiffened mixture that can be easily applied with a brush to the tops of branches and the treetop.

I have no idea if this is realistic looking considering this was probably before my time, but it sounds like it could be more messier version and not something that is very easy to do.

3. There are professional grade flocking sprays available at tree supply stores, however some are costly and require a sprayer to use. You can also buy flocking fibers and they self adhere. I have never used them but they come in a wide array of colors and some provide a sparkle effect.

Note: Another thing to remember is to put your tree in the stand before flocking and as I mentioned before allow it to dry before finishing decorating.

Another thing worth mentioning is if you do have a expensive artificial tree, I wouldn't do this process to it. Instead I would use the flocking on maybe some small centerpieces artificial or real trees and maybe on the wreaths outside for effect but not on the expensive new artificial tree. Especially don't do it to pre-lit artificial trees, because they are already decorated with lights and the spray will get on them and not just the branches.

Information for this article includes Ehow.com, Peak Seasons Company and Craftflocking.com