Artificial Christmas trees look wonderful when you first purchase them, but over the years, the wear and tear can make them look a bit…thin. Add some fresh life to your sparse Christmas tree for free with tree branches. Trust me, this easy hack that will “spruce” it up, making it look great again!
If your artificial Christmas tree that you’re decorating this holiday season looks less-than-perfect, this easy Christmas tree hack can take your decorating to the next level.
Guess what? This hack is so simple, easy, and inexpensive, that it’s almost too good to be true! But, it is true, and I’m going to show you everything you need to make your sparse Christmas tree look fantastic.
Benefits of Artificial Trees
I get some flack sometimes when I admit to having an artificial Christmas tree. To be fair, however, they have a few pros over live trees:
- Purchase once and they last several years (save some $$)
- You don’t have to water them (saves time AND money)
- They come prelit so you don’t get all tripped over your strings of lights (saves frustration & time)
I’m cheap and I’m lazy, so buying a new, real Christmas tree every year is just not worth the hassle or the expense for me. Bring on the fake tree, baby!
The downside is that really nice, fluffy, full-looking artificial trees with tons of lush fake tree branches come with a hefty price tag. And on top of all the other holiday expenses, it’s hard to squeeze in hundreds of extra dollars to buy a top-dollar tree.
So I have a scheme…a FREE one (my favorite kind!), to help make our cheap tree look très chic.
From a Sparse Christmas Tree to Fabulous
Check out our sparse-looking tree. There are holes you can see right through!
Do you have a similar homely-looking specimen? The reality is, for most of us with our not-so-expensive fake trees, no amount of fluffing and pruning and preening, or accessorizing with garlands or ribbons will get rid of all the gaps and holes you see.
Despair not, Charlie Brown, just like the Peanuts gang, we’ll have that sparse Christmas tree spiffed up in a jiffy. The secret?? Boughs of holly…fa la la la la.
Well, maybe not “holly”. Let’s face it: even though it’s pretty, all those prickly leaves and poison berries make holly a pretty bad decorating garnish.
I’ll show you down below what we’ll REALLY use…but first…
I put together a short video showing you how to add branches to your artificial tree to make it look more full. Check it out to see exactly how easy it is!
Video: Adding Fake Tree Branches To Your Artificial Christmas
What to Use For Filling Out Your Fake Tree
You’ll need evergreen trimmings. They are fantastic – and free! If you’re lucky enough to have some evergreens in your yard, even better!
But if you don’t have any, no problem. Simply go to your local Christmas tree lot and ask them if you can have some trimmings. Most of them will happily part with some of those leftover branches for free.
Time to put those yard clippings (or tree trimmings from your local tree lot) to work!
We’ve used this technique in our fake tree several times, and the branches, though cut, will last several weeks without looking too tired and forlorn.
In fact, they’ll last almost as long as a standard, fresh-cut tree will last in your home, believe it or not.
How to Use Pine Branches to “Spruce” Up Your Artificial Christmas Tree Branches
Here’s the skinny…ready? Just stuff them in. That’s it! Adding live branches to fill out the fake tree branches couldn’t be easier.
Big branches, little branches, just keep stuffing them in until the treetops glisten (no sense wasting your time on the “children listening” part, however…just being honest).
Have you ever noticed how kids don’t listen for the entire month of December?
I swear, no matter how many times we hold the threat of presents from Santa or the Elf on the Shelf issuing a poor report to the big man, those kids are just WACKY in December.
Maybe it’s just mine. Anyways, I digress.
I love how the fresh branches add some more variety of texture and color to our fake tree branches. Doesn’t it look so much better?
I feel like even though it’s a flocked tree, the natural branches help make the tree look kinda-sorta realistic.
Every year, we change the decorating “theme” of the tree a little bit, but we add the real branches each and every year.
Above you can see a pic from the year we used neckties as garland!
And below is from the year we used winter scarves for the garland trim! No matter how it’s decorated though, this artificial tree stays looking nice and full thanks to this easy little branch hack.
I’m telling you, this branch augmentation procedure is a piece of holiday-plastic-surgery cake.
Give this Christmas tree hack a try! You’ll be rockin’ around that (full and gorgeous) artificial Christmas tree before you know it.
How Long Do The Branches Stay Fresh?
A valid question. Believe it or not, they will last throughout the whole season (depending on how long you typically have your tree up).
We usually put ours up the weekend after Thanksgiving and take it down the 2nd week in January. A couple of the branches will end up super crispy, so I just swap them out. That happens with only about 5% of the branches.
I honestly can’t believe how long they look good!
I did a post at the end of the season with photos and a video of how the branches looked at the end of the holiday season. Check it out if you are a doubting Thomas (which I wholeheartedly support).
No more blue Christmases with scrawny trees, friends!
Searching for more Christmas ideas? Definitely give these a look!
Pin this Christmas tree hack for later! And if try it, leave a comment (or better yet, a photo) on the pin! That helps others know whether they want to try this project, too!
Pssst…before you go, I sure would love to hang out with you again really soon! Sign up now and get a FREE copy of “Builder-Grade To Beautiful: 10 Totally Transformative Home Decorating Solutions, All Under $100!” Click here to enter your email or on the image below. Your copy will be sent right away!
Marcia says
This is a great idea! When I was a child, we used to “fill in” our real 11 foot tree with branches from another tree. Dad drilled holes and glued them in. I can’t imagine why I didn’t think of that for the artificial tree I use now.
Those branches you use in the video don’t look like pine. What are they? They are very pretty.
Mechelle says
I absolutely love this idea! I did the same thing with baby’s breath on our live trees. Nice filler until it got so expensive. Could you please tell me about how much fabric you used for the skirt? I want to do the same thing, I just want to get enough. Great job!!
Heather says
You know, I used outdoor curtains that I made, and just bunched them under there, so hard to say. But this year, I bought faux fur, and used three yards/tree for the skirts, if that helps!
barbara says
Dont they dry out?
Heather says
Eventually they do Barbara, but I put my tree up in early December, and they last until I take it down in early January. Occasionally, there will be a sprig or two that start looking a little too crispy, so I’ll take them out and put in a fresh branch, but that’s rare. I honestly can’t believe how well they do and how long it lasts.
Anne Shepard says
This looks great! I do something similar to fluff up my artificial wreath on the front door, and the garland on my bannister. Just take a pair of clippers (I use an old pair of wire cutters) to those trimmings that you snagged free from the tree lot, and clip them into 6-8″ long pieces. Usually the bits with 3 or more arms work best. Then just stuff the clippings into the wreath or garland to fill in the gaps! I love the scent of fresh pine, but who has the time to make a 20′ pine garland from scratch. I stuff mine FULL of the fresh trimmings until it has a shape that looks much more real and natural – basically using the faux garland like you would a wreath form, and then building right on top of it. People tell me all the time how much they love my real garland, and I always have a little private laugh cause it’s not as real as they think! The bannister looks so great, and I get so many compliments on it, that I bought a faux wreath for the front door, and do the same thing to it now too. Thanks for doing the tree though – I still have a real tree, but this idea makes switching over look appealing!
Heather says
Yes! We do the same w/ our other faux greenery as well!! In fact, it’s now January, and the tree is still up WITH the branches, and it looks great still. Those branches make everything look better!! Thanks for writing in Anne!!
Danielle says
That’s such a neat idea! The tree looks fabulous!
Allyson says
Great idea! It is the best of both worlds, the convenience of a fake tree but with natural elements. I may try this when I finally decide to give in and purchase a fake tree. Merry Christmas!
Linda at Mixed Kreations says
What a brilliant idea! Not only make your tree fuller but I bet it smells wonderful too! I love how it adds some different color to the Christmas tree. Very pretty! Sharing!
Heather says
Thanks so much Linda! Yes, the scent is a major bonus!!
Melissa French, The More With Less Mom says
I love the fake snow on your tree. The contrast is cool. Thanks for posting. Hello from Treasure Box Tuesday.
Patty says
I am definitely going to try this. I wonder how it would be if I used those water tubes on the stems. I really miss the smell of pine and I usually try to put some branches in a container but I think your idea is better. I love looking at the expensive trees some bloggers have been gifted but I could never afford to get one of those. When our children were young, we would cut one down but they are grown and gone and an artificial one is easier for us. Thanks for the info.
Pink Camellias says
That really does make a difference! We had fake trees for years, until we decided a few years ago that we really wanted a fresh tree. I think they can both look great!
Karen says
Right??? Beautiful faux trees are so pricey! Especially the flocked ones. Yours is beautiful and this is such such a smart idea!
Merry Christmas!
Heather says
Nice idea! Does it add some of that lovely piney smell to your home, too?
Heather says
COMPLETELY. Although, just like with the real pine trees, I feel like it goes aways quickly…although maybe I just become nose blind to the scent 😉