Flocked Christmas Trees-A Modern Tradition

You know those cool flocked Christmas trees you see displayed here and there each Christmas—the artificial trees you’ve been dying to try out? They still seem like a novelty to many Americans, but they’re now a living room tradition spanning more than 60 years in the United States. It seems flocked Christmas trees first became widely used in the 1940s, following the conclusion of World War II. Some wives and children were spending happy Christmas mornings with their soldiers for the first time in years, and in general it was a time of happiness, peace and prosperity. As the joyful American spirit grew, the traditions surrounding everyone’s favorite holiday became more pronounced. Decadent dishes became usual Christmas fare, children received more brightly-wrapped Christmas gifts on Christmas morning, decorations became more showy, and new approaches to trimming the Christmas gained traction, not the least of which was the flocked Christmas tree. Examples of these white trees were featured in movies in the years leading up to this era, which may have planted the idea in American’s minds. People went to great lengths to deck their live and fake trees out in faux snow. Some used a homemade recipe of laundry detergent snowflakes, starch, and water to create a snowy mixture they brushed onto the branches of their trees. A dash of blue food coloring gave it the cool hue necessary to make the snow look realistic. Others used store-bought flocking kits, using a vacuum cleaner to apply the fake snow composition. Other than classic white, people commonly bought flocking snow in pastel blue and pink shades. Not surprisingly, people living on the west coast and down south were more apt to use these flocking methods, as they pined for a taste of the white Christmases their neighbors to the north and east enjoyed. Through the years, these do-it-yourself flocking methods gave way to manufactured flocked Christmas trees, and thankfully, people can capture the look of a snow-covered tree today without going to the trouble of creating a snow mixture. Flocked trees are made of flame-retardant materials, and are available in just about any color, light, shape and height combination you can imagine. If you’re in the market for flocked Christmas trees, browse a wonderful selection here.