Christmas comes with a fair share of curious and peculiar habits. Prominent amongst them is the Christmas tree flocking.
You may not know it but flocking has become an everyday part of our lives and can be applied on almost every surface. That shirt in your closet may have flocking on it or even an expensive perfume package.
In the Middle Ages, flocking was famously utilized in attaching fiber dust to multiple sticky surfaces. Fast forward today and flocking is an instant celebrity in Christmas tree decoration technique.
Flock is mainly made from synthetic or natural materials like rayon, nylon polyester, and cotton. However, if you are living in the fast lane, you can come up with your own DIY concoction which also works great.
You’re probably asking what a flocked Christmas tree is and how it looks like? Well, they are pretty common as they are the trees that appear covered in frost.
Below is a simple DIY formula for flocking your Christmas tree that even your kids can do.
Ingredients and tools you’ll need
- Seven ivory brand bar soaps (for minimal fragrance)
- Cheese grater
- Large bowl
- Stand mixer
- White glue
- Old newspapers
- Safety goggles for your eyes
- Mask
- Gloves
- Paintbrush
- 7 cans of white spray paint
Grate the soap
The first and important step in DIY Christmas flocking is to make your bar soap flakes. Using the cheese grater, grate the bar soap placing the grates in your large bowl. After grating, measure 3 cups of bar soap flakes as that’s what you will be using.
Whip the soap flakes
In your bowl of soap flakes add one cup of the white glue and mix using your hands. Add a quarter cup of warm water and mix further until the mixture forms a thick paste. Add the white paint to give the mixture the snow appearance you are looking for.
Apply the mixture
Once the paste is mixed to consistency, it’s time to flock the Christmas tree. Wear all the safety paraphernalia and place the old newspaper on the floor to avoid messing your floor.
From the crown of your Christmas tree, apply the mixture using the paintbrush and work your way down. For great results apply on the needle tips of the tree carefully not to smear on the branches underside.
Leave to dry
Allow the flock to rest between 24-30 hours depending on the amount applied. Once the flock is completely dry, you can start your decorations.
Christmas tree flocking doesn’t have to cost a fortune. It’s as simple as following this recipe and you will be on your way to celebrating Christmas with more money in your pocket.
That aside, the key to knowing whether it turns out great is when the flock completely dries out. Once dry, Christmas mood kicks in and you will enjoy magical tree with fluffy flock firmly attached to the needles.
Thanks to Dan Chabert for writing this awesome post! Dan writes from Copenhagen, Denmark, and is an award-winning writer and great with DIY. You can check these out That Sweet Gift for secret Santa gifts and Borncute for gifts ideas for boys under 10 for more content from Dan.