How to fluff a real christmas tree
How to Fluff a Christmas Tree So It Passes For a Real One
By
Gemma Johnstone
Gemma Johnstone
Gemma Johnstone is a gardening expert who has written 120-plus articles for The Spruce covering how to care for a large variety of plants from all over the world. She's traveled all over Europe, living now in Italy.
Learn more about The Spruce's Editorial Process
Updated on 12/06/22
The Spruce / Ana Cadena
When you pull your new artificial Christmas tree out of the box, it's not unusual for it to look flat and phony. You might be tempted to moan to the manufacturer, but it usually just needs a good ruffling to have it look its best.
Full-on fluffing may seem like a tedious task, but it takes less than an hour and means you'll have a much more realistic-looking tree to appreciate for the festive season. Add some Christmas spirit by popping on some festive tunes and involving the whole family. You might just turn this task into a fun holiday tradition.
So, what are the secrets to giving your fake tree a more natural, fuller figure? Learn how to fluff a Christmas tree so it's sure to fool visiting friends and family.
Equipment / Tools
- 1 Long-sleeved top
- 1 Pair of gloves
- 1 Dustpan
- 1 Brush
- 1 Step-stool
The Spruce / Ana Cadena
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Gather Your Gear
You don't need a high-tech kit to fluff a Christmas tree. Just some tools to clean up any rogue fake needles that come off during the process, gloves, and a long-sleeved top to protect you from scratchy wire branches.
Do the fluffing in the room where you're displaying the tree but in a spot where it's going to be easy to sweep or vacuum up any shed needles.
The Spruce / Ana Cadena
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Start With the Bottom Branches
Work your way up methodically from the bottom, fluffing the widest branches first.
It makes it easier to see what you're working with and saves you from missing any as you go. The Spruce / Ana Cadena
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Spread the Branch Fronds
Loosen the branches by giving them a gentle shake before you start full-on fluffing.
Fan out the branches on each section fully. Often artificial trees have three branches per main stem. Repeat this step for all the pieces, and you'll already notice your tree looking fuller.
For tall trees with a separate top section, fan out the branches before you place it on the central pole. It's easier to work with it unattached.
The Spruce / Ana Cadena
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Fluff From the Inside
The fronds may still look a bit flat at this stage. Don't worry, though, as this is when the major fluffing commences.
Get your hands right in amongst the branches of the tree and ruffle them from the inside, moving your way gradually outwards. Again, work from the bottom branches upwards so you don't miss any.
The Spruce / Ana Cadena
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Bend the Branches
Add a kink to the tip of every branch to give your tree an even more authentic appearance. Rather than all the branches being upswept, vary the direction they bend to fill any gaps. Have some facing up and others curving downward slightly.
Displaying any heavy Christmas tree decorations on the upward-turning branches means there's no risk of them sliding off and getting damaged.
Tip
At this point, you'll want to add the top branch sections to a tall tree — you might need a step stool or ladder to reach it. Putting it on earlier only makes your fluffing job more tricky.
The Spruce / Ana Cadena
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Assess for Evenness
Take a step back and give your tree a good once over. Does it look full and even from every angle? If there are any gaps, uneven sections, or patchiness, reposition the branches and give them an extra fluff-up.
The Spruce / Ana Cadena
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Camouflage Flaws
If your trusty tree has been in the family for decades, there might be some thinning, holes, or patches that no amount of fluffing will fill in.
Don't despair, though. You might not have to ditch that treasured family heirloom just yet.
Some strategically placed larger decorations and ribbons can cover up any problematic patches.
The Spruce / Ana Cadena
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Store Sensibly to Reduce Fluffing the Following Year
Don't try to stuff your Christmas tree back in its original box. Use a tree-storage bag instead. It will protect your tree from dust and sun damage, and you won't have to squash it down so flat that you lose all that hard-earned plumping. You'll still need to fluff your Christmas tree come the next holiday, but hopefully less than when it came fresh out of the box.
Tip
Remember to clean your artificial Christmas tree before you put it back into storage. A build-up of dust and debris means your tree won't fluff up as effectively.
The Spruce / Ana Cadena
Fluff those branches! (And other tips to make the most of your Christmas tree)
One of the 110 Christmas trees up for bid and on display at the 12th annual Festival of Trees Premier Party.
The tree was decorated by Lenox. The party presented by the Springfield Boys and Girls Club was at Tower Square. The event runs through December 9.
Republican photo by DAVE MOLNAR
By AMY LORENTZEN
Associated Press
The Christmas tree, real or artificial, is the focal point of many homes during the holiday season, so if yours is looking less than lush, here are some tips from the pros for, well, sprucing up its appearance.
Location, location, location
Whether your Christmas tree is real or artificial, placing it in the right spot can go a long way toward giving it a bountiful look. Avoid placing a thin-looking tree in front of a window or light-colored wall, which will highlight its patchy areas. Real trees should be kept away from heat sources and radiators, which can drain them of moisture and fullness.
Fluffing with flourish
Spend time fluffing your tree for a more voluminous look, says Jami Warner, executive director of the American Christmas Tree Association, a California-based trade group.
She advises starting at the bottom of an artificial tree and working your way up, carefully adjusting each section as you go.
To get the best coverage, tips that are closest to the center pole should be angled vertically and out to the sides to resemble a peacock's fanned tail. Consider researching the natural bend of branches and tips that your tree should imitate.
"Modeling your tree after a photo of that style will help you ideally shape your tree," Warner says. Her group's website, www.Christmastreeassociation.org, has pictures to help guide in fluffing.
Nourishment
Real trees should be well-nourished to keep them looking full. Some green thumbs swear by a teaspoon of brown sugar or flat ginger ale, but Warner says fresh tap water daily is all you need.
Dazzle with light
So you've placed your tree in a cozy spot, arranged its base and branches just so, and now it's time to make it shine. Sabrina Soto, Target's home style expert and an HGTV designer, says one of the easiest ways to give a tree life is through lighting.
She recommends allotting at least 100 bulbs for every foot of height.
"A full, brightly lit, decorated tree gives a feeling of abundance that puts everyone in a happy holiday mood," Soto says.
A lighted garland can go far in filling empty space on a thin tree, she says, and creates an even warmer glow.
Add any extra lighting before you decorate with ornaments so you're not getting them tangled up. Also, while lighting makes your tree sparkle, it also can highlight bare areas and show where ornaments or other items may be needed to create an ample appearance.
Trimming the tree
If you're looking to create bulk or a new look, Soto says hot ornament trends this holiday season include unconventional colors such as pinks, purples and blues. Jewel tones and bright citrus hues are also popular, as are gilded and mercury ornaments that really "jazz up" a tree.
Also popular are nature themes, and upcycled or recycled items.
Karen Edenfield, a designer with Jo-Ann Fabric and Craft Stores, suggests using feathers, pine cones or artificial pine stems for natural-looking filler, or floral stems and bushes for bulk, texture and color.
Berry stems can be placed deep in the tree to mask gaps and give a glimpse of color. Reused and recycled items could include old sheet music, jewelry, and gift wrapping or bows.
Other trendy themes include wine and grapes; seashore; and cupcakes and other sweets. Themes can be a great fix for sparse-looking trees: "People won't focus as much on the tree as they will on the overall look," Edenfield says.
Ribbons are another simple way to fill out a scraggly tree, and can be found in an array of patterns. If placed horizontally, they should go on after lights and before ornaments. Or use a large, multi-bow ribbon at the top of the tree with ribbon streamers hanging down for a finishing touch.
And decorations aren't just for the tips of the branches. Remember to place lights, ornaments, garlands, picks, stems and other decorations deep and outward to give more dimension.
"A full-looking tree signifies abundance, family and warmth of the holiday season," Warner says.
Preparing for next year
Carefully packing and storing your artificial tree can ensure that its needles don't flatten out, and will make decorating next season a little easier.
Edenfield recommends a cool, dry storage area. Heat can shorten the life of the needles. Ideally, she says, store the tree so it doesn't have to be crammed back into its small box.
If your artificial tree won't make another holiday appearance at your house, don't just throw it in the trash. Consider donating or recycling it, or reuse its branches as filler for an even more ample tree next Christmas.
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How to fluff an artificial Christmas tree
Artificial spruce or pine is a great alternative to real trees. It is convenient to install and clean, it does not crumble, it pleases no less than natural wood. But due to storage in cramped conditions, the artificial tree may be caked and not look very nice.
How to fluff the artificial tree ? We give you instruction in several ways. Choose the one that suits you best.
Branches and artificial Christmas tree needles are usually made of PVC . Just cold water will not be able to influence it, but this material becomes more plastic from heat. At 70-80 degrees, the needles turn into a plastic product and fluff. One general rule is that you will need a heat source to straighten the Christmas tree at home , but you need to use it correctly .
Let's take a look at all the possible ways to fluff the artificial tree - from minimally time-consuming to those that are useful for working with a large product. In general, it will take you from 10 minutes to about one hour. After each of the methods, you need to give the Christmas tree time to dry and then decorate it.
Before processing the Christmas tree, it may be worth cleaning the Christmas tree from dust so that dirt does not form in combination with water.
To do this, use a vacuum cleaner with a nozzle for cleaning sofas and go through each branch separately. For storage it is better to use a cover to prevent dust from accumulating. It can be a dense canvas fabric that does not let light and dust particles in.
In addition, there are special aerosols on sale that protect the product from it. The same aerosols give the artificial Christmas tree the shine of a new product. Take a look at these resources. With them, the procedure will be simplified and take less time.
Method 1: straighten the Christmas tree with a hair dryer
Before doing this, collect artificial Christmas tree according to the instructions or the way you usually do it. Place the tree directly in the place you have chosen for the holidays, or in the middle of the room to have access to it from all sides. Also consider the length of the cord from the hair dryer so that it is enough to process the needles.
Plug the hair dryer into the outlet and make sure that the air flow is set to medium and the minimum or medium heat is set. At a distance of about 20-30 cm across the direction of the needles, warm it up, holding it with your hand. In the process of air treatment, the needles should rise from the air flow.
If you are not satisfied with the result, you can increase the heating a little more, but make sure that this does not lead to deformation of the needles. If this happens, it will be impossible to fix it, because the very structure of the plastic will suffer.
Method 2: wash the Christmas tree in the tub
Suitable for small and medium Christmas trees that can be easily installed in the tub. Do this, take a cloth, wet it with hot water and run it over the branches and needles. The tree will become more magnificent from the temperature of the water. It will also allow you to clean it from dirt and dust accumulated over a year of storage on a shelf or balcony.
We do not recommend using a shower to clean Christmas tree and straighten it. So it will be unnecessarily wet, you will have to wait a long time for it to dry and only then dress it up. In addition, due to strong pressure, you can worsen the condition of artificial needles, so you should not take risks.
Do not press too hard or bend the branches too much, as the needles may fall off under such pressure. If your tree is too tall and you can’t install it in the bath, use a sprayer made of durable plastic designed for hot water. Spray on branches and straighten them with your hands.
Method 3: Fluff with steam
For this you will need a steam generator or a steam iron. Usually irons have even more than one steam mode - smaller and more powerful. Set the minimum heat or steam, and at a distance of 20-30 cm, process Christmas tree by pressing the button.
Only after the first stage of processing one test branch, gradually increase the temperature in the steamer , if necessary, so as not to deform branches .
Wear gloves to avoid burning your hands during handling and be careful not to rush. In order to straighten a tree 1.5-2 meters high, it will take only 10-15 minutes of your time.
What if you don't have the special steamer ? To do this, boil water in a large saucepan and hold each branch over this container. Twist the branches over the steam so that it hits each needle of the artificial Christmas tree . In places where caking is too strong, hold the products longer. Instead of a pot of water, you can use a regular electric kettle. Then the procedure will take a little longer, but the effect will be the same.
If you have a bath, you can use this to steam the entire piece at once:
- Fill the bath with hot water.
- Lay across the board on top of it.
- Place the Christmas tree on top and leave until the water and air have cooled.
- Straighten branches as you like.
Please note that the temperature of the bath water does not have to be 100 degrees. 50-80 degrees is enough for the needles to be supple and straighten out.
How to store your artificial Christmas tree so that it doesn't clump
In order for the tree to be stored better and retain its shape as much as possible by next year, pay more attention to its folding and storage. After you have removed the decorations and the garland, gradually remove the branches, moving from top to bottom. Divide the collapsible elements into groups by size and smooth the needles on them. Pack the Christmas tree or its individual components in plastic bags or film (but not tightly) and fold into box .
Pick up the box so that the artificial Christmas tree is spacious.
In no case do not ram the product, otherwise the branches will break and the needles will fall off. You can then store the wood in the box on a cupboard or in a drawer with enough space for storage . An insulated balcony or pantry is also suitable. If you store the product vertically, make sure that it does not fall, otherwise the branches may be too pressed against each other or break.
Also keep in mind a few important rules:
- The artificial Christmas tree must be kept away from heaters, radiators, boilers or other sources of heat.
- Remove the tree 2-3 days before the new year, take it out of the box and let it stand to spread naturally. It is possible that after this you will not need additional ways to fluff the tree.
- When choosing a bag or box, decide in favor of the latter. So it is more likely to preserve the structure of the Christmas tree.
- Do not store the product in a damp or too dry place, otherwise you will not be able to straighten it and the needles may simply fall off.
- If you decide to clean the Christmas tree with a damp cloth after removing the toys, also allow the product to dry. Do not fold it immediately, otherwise moisture drops will remain on the needles.
Also remember that the more expensive the product, the easier it is to care for. Cast artificial Christmas trees do not require fluffing. Straighten their branches in the right direction and wipe them with a cloth - this is enough. Before buying, always check with a consultant how to properly care for the product so that it lasts as long as possible and you always have a fluffy Christmas tree for the holiday.
How to fluff up an artificial Christmas tree after storing at home: ways
Many families have a wonderful New Year's tradition - decorating the Christmas tree before the coming year. Both live and artificial trees are suitable for this. Needles made of PVC materials are much more practical and durable, but due to improper storage, they can lose their external qualities.
To make the spruce more plastic and fluffy, you can use several methods that will help restore it to its previous state.
Contents:
- How to fluff an artificial Christmas tree?
- Hot water method
- Hair dryer
- How to fluff up with steam
- How to properly store an artificial Christmas tree
How to fluff up an artificial Christmas tree?
Artificial Christmas trees are made of PVC material, which becomes plastic when exposed to high t°, but not more than 70 - 80°C. Therefore, in order to fluff the branches and arrange them in the right direction, it is necessary to use methods based on exposure to heat sources.
Hot water method
To fluff up the artificial pine branches of a small spruce, place it in a bath of hot water. Wet a soft cloth and go over the entire surface of the product, straightening the branches and cleaning them of accumulated dust.
Be careful not to drop the needles. The high temperature of the water will make the spruce more plastic and more magnificent.
Do not use a shower (especially strong pressure) to avoid damaging the product.
You can fluff the branches individually: dip each of them in hot water for 30 seconds, then proceed to actively straighten the needles. The tree should be collected only after the parts are completely dry at room temperature.
If the tree is too tall to be placed in a bathtub, pour hot water (50 - 60°C) into a heat-resistant plastic spray bottle and spray the liquid over the entire surface of the artificial tree, spreading the branches in the desired direction. If necessary, you can repeat the process using water with a higher t °. At the end of the procedure, leave the tree in the room until it dries completely, then proceed to decorate.
Be careful not to burn your hands when handling hot liquid.
Hair dryer
Using a hair dryer is the simplest and easiest way to straighten artificial needles.
First, collect the spruce and immediately install it in the desired location. Then plug the hair dryer into an outlet, the length of the cord of which should reach the tree, it should be enough to completely process the needles from all sides. Use an extension if necessary. Then set the device to medium heating and blowing speed.
After the hair dryer has warmed up, take a branch at a distance of 20 - 30 cm in your hand and direct the air stream on it. It is important that it passes across the location of the needles, lifting them up. If there is no desired result, it is worth increasing the temperature and trying again. But be careful: at too high t °, artificial needles can be deformed, it will be impossible to fix it.
Wear thick gloves or mittens before using the hair dryer to protect your hands.
How to fluff up with steam
To fluff up an artificial Christmas tree, you can use a steam iron or steam generator set to the lowest setting. This method is considered the fastest and most convenient.
Hold the device 25 cm away from parts. Treat the needles with hot steam, directing the branches in the desired direction. If necessary, gradually increase the t°, but it must not exceed 80°C, otherwise the material will begin to curl irreversibly. Spruce with a height of 1.5 - 2 m can be fluffed with a steamer in 10 - 15 minutes. Consider in advance how to protect your hands during an unsafe process.
Alternatively, you can use hot steam from a pot or kettle. To do this, boil the liquid in a large bowl. Place the branch over the steam that escapes and fluff it, straightening the needles. Do the same with other details. Before decorating the Christmas tree, all branches must be dried well.
Steam
25%
Hot water
0%
Hair dryer
37.5%
Steam generator
25%0010
12.5%
Voted: 8
How to properly store an artificial Christmas tree
To avoid having to resort to such methods of straightening parts every year, it is necessary to properly store an artificial Christmas tree.
To do this, remove all toys from it and disassemble the tree into several tiers. If the spruce is solid, fold the branches in one direction, starting from the top positions, and smooth them. Wrap in cling film or plastic wrap and carefully place in a clean, spacious box. The tree should be kept away from heaters.
Fluffing artificial coniferous branches is not difficult at all. The main thing is to choose the most suitable method for yourself and act very carefully so as not to burn yourself and not deform the product. It is advisable to get the Christmas tree in advance so that it has time to dry well before decorating.
Larisa
As a child I loved the New Year. I could spend hours under the Christmas tree, inventing and telling fascinating (as I thought) stories about Santa Claus and the Snow Maiden to the cat Businka.
