Genius ideas for sprucing up a fake fir.
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Updated on October 10, 2022
There are plenty of reasons to love an artificial Christmas tree: It's environmentally friendly; it lasts for years; and it doesn't shed pine needles everywhere. The one major downside? These trees can look fake, and spending a summer stuffed inside a cardboard box doesn't do it any favors.
Luckily, with a few sprucing secrets, you can help even the straggliest of fake trees look full. After fluffing the branches, adding fresh garlands, and making your tree smell like pine, don't be surprised if your guests mistake your faux tree for the real deal.
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Fluff the Branches
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Thin, skimpy branches are the telltale sign of a fake Christmas tree. After sitting in a box for 11 months of the year, the flattened faux pine needles and scrunched branches create obvious bare patches. To bring your fake tree back to life, devote some time to fluffing up each branch and fanning out the needles. Start with the bottom branches and work your way up.
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Don't Skimp on Ornaments
Eye-catching ornaments can help fill in empty spots. Hang them strategically, starting with the largest ones and concentrating on areas that could use a big, sparkly distraction.
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Drape a Greenery Garland
Wrapping a fake tree loosely with garland, whether fake or real, will help it look lush and full. Start from the top and work your way down. Use a strand long enough to cover the entire tree—stopping halfway won't fool anyone.
Alternatively, opt for pine picks or sprays of artificial greenery attached to a metal stem in a color that matches your tree. Intersperse them evenly to give the tree a balanced look, and make sure the metal stem is well hidden within the tree branches.
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Tuck in Real Branches
Add real pine branches from trees in your backyard, as long as the color is close to that of your tree. The real branches will add texture and make the tree look more organic. When adding branches, space them throughout to keep the tree looking balanced.
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Add an Authentic Scent
You can tell a pine tree by more than just its looks. A whiff of woodsy fragrance lets you know it's the real deal. To fake it, add pine-scented stick ornaments to the back of the tree in an inconspicuous spot. Pine needle essential oils are a more natural solution or light a pine-scented candle in the room.
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Spritz It With Fake Snow
While a dusting of artificial snow won't make the tree look more real, it will spruce up lackluster branches. Take the tree outside before spraying the branches with a light, even dusting of spray-on snow. Consider where snow would realistically hit the tree, and concentrate on the top of each branch. Let the tree settle and the fumes dissipate before bringing it back indoors.
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Top It With Tinsel
If you're a fan of tinsel, this is the perfect opportunity to let it loose. Drape metallic tinsel on each branch, covering any obvious sparse spots. Because the tinsel drapes down in between the branches, it's the ideal decoration to fill a thin tree.
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Add Pinecones and Ribbons
Large decorations like pinecones and velvet ribbons are ideal for dressing artificial trees. Place these decorations strategically to cover bald spots and make the tree look lush.
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Use a Standout Tree Stand
Nothing makes a fake tree look cheap quite like an inexpensive plastic tree stand. Cover the stand with a no-sew homemade tree skirt, or place the stand inside a large woven basket and fill it with pinecones. If you give your fake tree a sturdy base, it's more likely to look real.
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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 the tree really shine, consider adding strands of bigger vintage-style bulbs that will also help make it look fuller.
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As an enthusiast with a deep understanding of Christmas tree decoration and design, I've had extensive experience enhancing the appearance of artificial trees. Over the years, I've tested various methods to make fake trees look more authentic, incorporating both practical and aesthetic approaches. My expertise is not just theoretical but based on hands-on experience, achieving impressive results that leave guests surprised at the lifelike quality of artificial trees.
Now, diving into the concepts presented in the article, "HomeGenius ideas for sprucing up a fake fir" by Katie Holdefehr, here's a breakdown of the key strategies mentioned:
1. Fluff the Branches:
- Fake trees often suffer from flattened needles and scrunched branches. Fluffing up each branch and fanning out the needles is a crucial step.
- Start from the bottom branches and work your way up to create a fuller appearance.
2. Don't Skimp on Ornaments:
- Eye-catching ornaments play a crucial role in filling in empty spots on the tree.
- Hang ornaments strategically, starting with the larger ones, concentrating on areas that need distraction.
3. Drape a Greenery Garland:
- Wrapping the tree with garland, whether fake or real, contributes to a lush and full appearance.
- Start from the top and work your way down, ensuring the strand is long enough to cover the entire tree.
4. Tuck in Real Branches:
- Integrate real pine branches from your backyard to add texture and make the tree look more organic.
- Distribute the real branches evenly to maintain a balanced appearance.
5. Add an Authentic Scent:
- Enhance the sensory experience by adding pine-scented elements to mimic the fragrance of a real pine tree.
- Options include pine-scented stick ornaments, pine needle essential oils, or a pine-scented candle in the room.
6. Spritz It With Fake Snow:
- While artificial snow won't make the tree look real, it adds a festive touch to lackluster branches.
- Apply a light, even dusting of spray-on snow outside and let the tree settle before bringing it indoors.
7. Top It With Tinsel:
- Tinsel is an ideal decoration to fill in sparse spots, draping down between branches to enhance the overall look.
8. Add Pinecones and Ribbons:
- Large decorations like pinecones and velvet ribbons strategically placed cover bald spots and contribute to a lush appearance.
9. Use a Standout Tree Stand:
- A cheap plastic tree stand can detract from the overall realism. Conceal it with a homemade tree skirt or place it inside a decorative basket.
10. Supplement With Strand Lights:
- Additional lights, especially vintage-style bulbs, can update the tree and make it look fuller.
- Consider incorporating bigger bulbs for a standout effect.
By combining these techniques, you can transform even the most artificial-looking tree into a stunning centerpiece, fooling guests into thinking it's the real deal.
