Flocking an artificial Christmas tree gives your home a wonderful wintry effect. Here are three of the safest ways to flock your holiday masterpiece using artificial snow.
Option 1: Soap Shavings as Christmas Tree Flock
Soap shavings are a popular choice for making Christmas tree flock because they are cost-efficient and readily available. With simple additions to the mix, such as glitter or food coloring, they can also be customized to fit any style or décor.
SAFETY FIRST!
Wear appropriate protective gear, such as a mask, a pair of gloves, and safety goggles to prevent inhalation, ingestion, or contact in the eyes when making and applying the flocking mixture.
Make sure to keep Christmas lights away from the flock.
Ingredients and Procedure:
To make the soap-based flocking mixture for a 5-foot Christmas tree, combine 2 cups white soap shavings with 2/3 cup liquid corn starch or white glue in a mixer on medium speed. Add 4 tablespoons warm water and continue mixing. This is also the time to mix tint or glitter if desired. Beat until the flocking mixture forms stiff peaks with the same consistency as nougat.
Flocking Steps:
On a ladder, stand close to the crown of the tree so you can flock the top needles first then work your way down. Use a paint brush to scoop up a dollop of the mixture, and flock only the needle tips. To create a more natural snow-fallen look, let the foam stay in clusters, or even drip off the tips and land on the lower needles. Allow the tree to dry for about eight to 24 hours, depending on the size of the tree and the amount of flock applied.
Option 2: Shaving Cream as Christmas Tree Flock
Shaving cream is an effective Christmas tree flock because it immediately achieves the stiff consistency needed to recreate drops of snow. While it costs more than soap, it is a good alternative for those looking to cut down on preparation time.
Ingredients and Procedure:
To make the shaving cream flocking mixture for a 5-foot Christmas tree, blend the foam from 4 to 6 cans of shaving cream with 2/3 cup of white glue in a mixer on medium speed. Mix in tint or glitter if desired. Beat until the flocking mixture forms stiff peaks.
Flocking Steps:
On a ladder, stand close to the crown of the tree so you can flock the top needles first then work your way down. Use a paint brush to scoop up a dollop of the mixture, and flock only the needle tips. To create a more natural snow-fallen look, let the foam stay in clusters, or even drip off the tips and land on the lower needles. Allow the tree to dry for about eight to 24 hours, depending on the size of the tree and the amount of flock applied.
Option 3: Desiccated Coconut as Christmas Tree Flock
Coconut-based flock is ideal for households with small children, pets, or family members who have allergies, since this type of flock is all natural. While its fluffy texture makes it the perfect ingredient to use as a stand-in for real snow, it is not designed to be a long-term fixture on the tree like its soap- and cream-based counterparts. A strong binding agent will ensure that the coconut flakes stick to each other in clusters, as well as preserve the coconut throughout the holiday season.
Ingredients and Procedure:
To make the coconut flocking mixture, pour in a pound of desiccated coconut in a large mixing bowl. Moisten the flakes with two tablespoons of liquid corn starch, breaking up the clumps using your hands. Add about 2 cups of liquid corn starch gradually throughout the process until all of the flakes glisten with the binding agent. The point is to coat the dried coconut with the liquid to prolong its shelf life. Aerate the mixture by continuing to fluff it, making sure it’s loose and not pasty. Mix in as much tint or glitter as desired.
Flocking Steps:
Shower the flocking mixture generously from the top of the tree, letting the needles catch the coconut flakes. The residual flock should cascade naturally on the lower branches. Continue the process of showering the tree with flakes until the desired look of snowfall is achieved. Allow the tree to dry for about eight to 24 hours, depending on the size of the tree and the amount of flock applied.
6 Comments
I tried the shaving cream option and it was perfect Day 1. Day 2 it started shrinking and leaving a spider web look. What did I do wrong?
Hi Brenda,
You’d have to get into more detail for me to know for sure. The problem usually lies in the mixing stage.
Don’t neglect the safety first steps, and it might be even more important when tearing the tree down. I helped take down a tree with shaving cream flocking and think I must have inhaled particles from the dried shaving cream, because my throat and lungs became highly irritated almost immediately afterwards and have had me coughing and making it painful to swallow, almost as bad as the time I had strep throat.
I was told the flocking was made from shaving cream and corn starch beforehand and thought it sounded nice and safe. Not so much.
Thank you for reaching out to Balsam Hill, Jeremy. We are sorry to hear about your experience. We hope that you are feeling better. The flocking is made out of cellulose and glue to create a bold snow-like effect. If you need assistance with your tree, you can send us an email at customerservice@balsamhill.com so we can help you.
How do you flock it more when your tree arrives with a lot of flocking gone.
Hi Dalette. Thank you for reaching out to us. We’d like to share with you that if you happen to encounter a large portion of flocking has fallen from your tree, you may contact us by either sending a message to our official social media accounts (@balsamhill on Facebook, Instagram, or Twitter); emailing us at customerservice@balsamhill.com; or calling our Customer Care Center at 888-55-BALSAM (888-552-2572) during regular business hours. We’d be happy to further assist you and check its warranty coverage.