Buzz
There are many reasons to adore an artificial Christmas tree: It's eco-friendly, lasts for years, and doesn’t drop pine needles everywhere. The major drawback? These trees can appear artificial, and being crammed in a cardboard box during summer doesn’t help its case.
Fortunately, with a few clever tips, even the thinnest fake tree can be transformed into a fuller version. After fluffing up the branches, draping fresh garlands, and adding a pine scent, don’t be surprised if your guests mistake your faux tree for the real thing.
Tom Merton/Getty Images1. Fluff the Branches
Weak, sparse branches are a clear giveaway of a synthetic Christmas tree. After spending nearly the entire year packed away, the compressed faux needles and bunched-up branches leave noticeable gaps. To revive your artificial tree, take the time to gently fluff each branch and spread out the needles, starting with the lower branches and working your way upwards.
2. Don't Skimp on Ornaments
Bold ornaments can help cover any blank spaces. Strategically place them, beginning with the largest ones, and focus on areas that could benefit from a dramatic, glittering touch.
3. Drape a Greenery Garland
To give your tree a fuller, more vibrant look, drape a garland loosely around it, whether it's real or artificial. Begin at the top and work your way down, ensuring you use a strand long enough to cover the entire tree—leaving it half done will be noticeable.
Alternatively, you can use pine picks or sprays of faux greenery attached to a metal stem that matches your tree’s color. Distribute them evenly across the tree to achieve a balanced appearance, and make sure the metal stem stays hidden among the branches.
4. Insert Real Branches
Bring in some real pine branches from trees in your yard, provided the color matches your tree. These natural branches will introduce a nice texture and create a more authentic look. Distribute them throughout the tree to maintain balance and symmetry.
5. Introduce an Authentic Scent
You can identify a pine tree by more than just its appearance. A whiff of its signature woodsy scent gives it away. To replicate the aroma, hang pine-scented stick ornaments at the back of the tree in a discreet area. For a more natural touch, try pine needle essential oils or light a pine-scented candle in the room.
6. Add a Dusting of Fake Snow
Though a sprinkle of fake snow won't make your tree look more authentic, it can give lackluster branches a fresh look. Take the tree outdoors before applying a light, even coating of spray-on snow. Focus on where snow would realistically fall, especially at the tops of the branches. Allow the tree to air out before bringing it back inside.
7. Top the Tree with Tinsel
If tinsel is your thing, now’s your chance to go all out. Drape metallic strands across each branch to cover any noticeably thin spots. Since tinsel hangs between branches, it's perfect for filling out a sparse tree.
8. Add Pinecones and Ribbons
To enhance your artificial tree, incorporate large decorative elements such as pinecones and luxurious velvet ribbons. Strategically position these accents to fill in sparse areas, creating a fuller and more lush appearance for the tree.
9. Use a Standout Tree Stand
A cheap plastic tree stand can make an artificial tree appear flimsy. To counter this, cover the base with a no-sew homemade tree skirt, or hide the stand inside a large woven basket filled with pinecones. A solid base can help elevate the tree's realistic look.
10. Supplement With Strand Lights
Sure, the whole point of buying a pre-lit tree is to avoid wrapping it with string lights. But if you've had your tree for a while, adding more lights is an easy way to update it (especially if any of the original lights have burnt out).
To make your tree truly shine, consider incorporating larger vintage-style bulbs. These not only add more light, but their size also creates a fuller appearance, giving your tree extra charm.
11. Choose Your Palette Carefully
While a mishmash of Christmas ornaments can feel endearing, this approach can seem a bit cluttered when decorating an artificial tree. For a more sophisticated look, select a well-coordinated color palette for your decorations. Neutral shades, earthy tones, and metallic hues are all excellent choices.
12. Make Sure the Proportions Are Correct
If your artificial tree is too large for your space, it can stand out awkwardly, making it even more obvious that it's not real. For smaller rooms, opt for a slimmer tree and ensure there's at least six inches of clearance between the top of the tree and the ceiling.
