This Christmas Tree Hack Is the Best Way to Save Money This Holiday

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Decking the halls for Christmas is one of the great joys of winter. And while we all wish for a snow-covered white Christmas, more often than not the day is green as can be. However, there's an easy way to fake the aesthetic look and cozy feel of a white Christmas—simply flock your Christmas tree. Whether you opt for a midcentury modern tree theme or decide to adorn it with ribbons, Christmas tree flocking spray or powder adds a special wintry touch to your Christmas tree theme and decorations. Best of all, flocking a real or artificial tree takes only one ingredient and a few hours' time—then you can adorn your "snow"-covered tree to your heart's content.

So, what is a flocked Christmas tree and why would you want to flock a Christmas tree yourself? Flocking is powder that sticks to your tree and make it look like it's been dusted with snow (even if you live in a desert). Buying a plain artificial tree and flocking it yourself is much less expensive than buying a preflocked tree. Flocked artificial Christmas trees often cost much more than unflocked trees of the same size. When you flock a real or artificial tree yourself, you can customize exactly how heavy the flocking is and where it's placed. You can have a tree that's lightly flocked and showing a little green or heavily flocked for more of a snowed-in effect. You could even flock it in a color other than white. Below, learn how to flock a Christmas tree yourself with flocking powder or spray.

Flocking Methods: Powder vs. Spray

You can use flocking powder or flocking spray on your Christmas tree. Flocking powder comes loose in a bag; you put it in a sifter or mesh strainer and tap it onto your tree as if you were dusting a cake with sugar. Spray comes in a can, and you apply it the same way you would spray paint. Both are pretty easy to use, but we think flocking spray is slightly easier for beginners because it's less complicated to work with. Flocking powder gives you more control over the final snowy effect and how thick or thin the flocking looks.

When using flocking powder, you need one to two pounds to give an eight-foot-tall tree a lightly snowy look and up to six pounds for a heavily frosted look, according to manufacturer instructions. One 13-ounce can of flocking spray is enough to lightly dust a seven-foot-tall tree. For a larger tree or heavier dusting, you'll want more than one can.

What You'll Need to Flock Your Christmas Tree

Christmas Decorations Spray Snow, 16 Oz, White

The Original Premium Self-Adhesive Snow Flock Powder

Plastic Drop Cloth 4-Feet by 12 Feet

Black Nitrile Disposable Gloves

The Flocking Process for Powder

Christmas tree flocking powder is more difficult to use than spray, but it allows you to really customize the look of your tree, applying thicker "snow" exactly where you want it.

Step One: Prep Yourself and Your Workspace

Flocking can be messy, especially if you're using powder. We recommend wearing clothing you don't mind getting a little dusty (don't worry, flocking powder doesn't stain), safety goggles, gloves, and a mask to avoid breathing in the fine powder. Lay down a tarp or drop cloth to protect your floors.

Step Two: Wet the Tree

Using a spray bottle, generously mist the Christmas tree with water. You want the tree to be misted but not drenched. The water is what allows the powder to stick, but the powder can clump up if you spray on too much water.

Step Three: Apply the Powder

With the powder in a flour sifter or mesh strainer, begin to sprinkle the powder onto the tree, working in sections from top to bottom and from the tips of the branches toward the trunk. Apply it in a thin layer—it's better not to dump a lot of powder on all at once and overdo it. If you want a heavier flocked effect, you can always add more as you go. Once you've finished the first layer, step back and take a look at your tree, then dust on more flocking powder as needed.

Step Four: Set the Powder

Spray a final coat of water to help the powder set and fully stick to the branches. Allow the tree to dry for 24 to 48 hours before hanging lights, garland, or ornaments.

If any flocking falls off, you can spot treat the tree with water and a bit of extra flocking powder.

The Flocking Process for Spray

Christmas tree flocking spray is easier for beginners to use, but it's less precise than the powder method.

Step One: Prep Yourself, Your Workspace, and Your Tree

Hang a tarp or drop cloth up on the wall behind your tree and lay one down on the floor to protect the surfaces. Put on work clothes, safety goggles, gloves, and a mask. You should also wrap or cover any part of the tree (including the trunk and tree base) that you don't want covered in flocking spray.

Step Two: Spray Generously

Spray the tops of the branches with flocking spray, working from the tips of the branches in toward the trunk and using a steady back-and-forth motion. (If you've ever spray-painted, it's the same motion and application concept.) Work in sections in order to achieve your desired look. Continue layering the spray until you're happy with the coverage. The closer you are to the branches that you spray, the thicker and heavier the spray will look.

Step Three: Let It Dry

Once you're finished spraying the branches, let your tree dry for 24 to 48 hours before hanging lights, ornaments, or other decorations.

The Best Pre-Flocked Christmas Trees

7.5' Pre-lit Glitter FlockedBalsam Fir Artificial Christmas Tree

Premium Snow Green Pine Artificial Christmas Tree

Flocked Downswept Pre-Lit LED Christmas Tree 9'

6ft Pre-lit Artificial Christmas Tree

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