What Is a Flocked Christmas Tree and Are They Worth It?

As the holiday season approaches, many households begin the process of transforming their homes into winter wonderlands. Out comes the festive decor, like wreaths, stockings, and mistletoe hung in doorways. 

And while decorating the home for Christmas can look different from person to person, family to family, and culture to culture, in most homes, the main centerpiece of holiday decorating revolves around the classic Christmas tree. 

If you’re no longer getting the show-stopping look from your tree that you’d like, it might be time to try something different. To mix things up this holiday season, you might want to consider getting a flocked tree. 

What Is a Flocked Christmas Tree?

If you’re wondering, “what is a flocked Christmas tree,” you’re not alone. Although this style has been around for decades, not everyone is familiar with it.

A flocked tree looks like it’s covered in freshly fallen snow. To get the look, the trees are sprayed with a white fluffy material that mimics the look of snow on a tree's branches. Both artificial and real trees can be flocked, and the result is a tree that looks like it’s been felled from a snow-covered forest. 

Flocked Christmas trees gained popularity in the mid-20th century, particularly during the 1950s and 1960s. Flocked trees fit well into this era, symbolizing a blend of traditional holiday decor with a modern, stylized twist. The appeal of the flocked tree was in its ability to create a wintry, picturesque scene indoors, bringing the charm of a snow-covered landscape into the home. The desire for a flocked tree was created both by modern advertising and pop culture movies. 

Advertisements in magazines, newspapers, and catalogs promoted flocked trees as a modern and stylish choice for holiday decor, capitalizing on the desire for a winter wonderland experience within the home. And the depiction of wintery flocked trees in movies furthered the demand for flocked trees in the family home. 

Flocked Christmas Trees Today

Flocked trees are still considered a modern take on the Christmas tree, while also invoking a feeling of nostalgia. Flocked trees have seen a recent resurgence of popularity as people are drawn to both a contemporary style that also reminds them of fond memories from the past. At the same time, new technologies have made it possible to create a more affordable, realistic, and quality flocked look. 

How to Shape and Decorate Your Flocked Tree

Flocked trees can be decorated just like regular trees. Ornaments, garlands, lights, and bows can all be used on a flocked tree. They fit in with many favored styles, from contemporary to traditional. 

Here's a step-by-step guide on how to shape and decorate a flocked Christmas tree:

1. Fluff and shape the tree as you would any other Christmas tree.
2. Add lights. Using a mix of large and small strings gives a decorator’s touch. 
3. Position garland, tinsel, or ribbon. 
4. Hang ornaments. To get a balanced look, start with large ornaments, then fill in the spaces with medium and small ornaments. 
5. Top the tree with a star, angel, or other tree topper. 
6. Add a skirt to cover the base.

Flocked Trees: Real or Artificial?

Real trees can be flocked, making them a great option if you love the fresh pine scent of a real evergreen tree. Flocked trees will still drop needles, however, and the flocking material can be extra messy. Unlike their natural counterparts, artificial flocked trees shed no needles, minimizing the need for constant cleanup. This characteristic not only simplifies post-holiday tidying but also ensures a pristine, snow-covered look throughout the festive season.

If you’re feeling creative you can also create your own DIY flocked tree. The process involves buying a few materials, like the flocking spray, and a few step process. You’ll need a well ventilated space, like a garage, and, to keep the mess minimal, protective materials for you and the space. Spray the tree evenly to get an expert look and let dry based on the flocking instructions before decorating. 

Choosing an artificial flocked tree is an excellent choice for those with allergies or sensitivities to natural tree materials like pine sap or pollen. They’re also a sustainable choice by reducing the need to cut down trees year after year. Artificial trees don’t need to be watered making them a fuss-free holiday decoration. 

If you’d prefer a done-for-you option, shop Nearly Natural’s collection of flocked artificial trees. A pre-flocked tree gives you the ease of being able to set up and decorate your tree immediately, saving you from the hassle of applying flocking material yourself.

Flocked Tree Options Beyond Real or Artificial

Today’s flocked trees come in a variety of styles and colors. Some are lightly dusted with flock to look like a sprinkle of snow, while others are densely covered to look more snow packed. The level of “snowiness” you want is up to you!

Colored snow is also an option, so if you’re looking for a pink, purple, or any color tree, a flocked tree is the answer. Colored Christmas trees have gained popularity in recent years for their ability to offer a bold and unconventional approach to holiday decor. 

Flocked Trees: Are They Worth It?

Flocked trees have been in use for decades, but the desire for them has changed with decorating trends over the years. We are now seeing an uptick in popularity as more and more people are drawn to a modern yet nostalgic take on Christmas decorating.

So, what is a flocked Christmas tree? It’s a tree that adds a festive twist on a traditional Christmas tree while aligning with your personal style and environmental values. Today, the nostalgia associated with flocked trees and their timeless appeal continue to captivate a new generation, making them a sought-after - and worth it - choice for home holiday decorating.