Balsam Hill Christmas trees come in compressed branch sections to make delivery and handling easier and more cost-effective. They need a little time and care the first time you take your tree out of the box for it to look full and lush, but the results are well worth the effort. Follow our guide below to get started.
Bring Your Christmas Tree to Life: Fluffing 101
Unboxing your Christmas tree for the first time can feel a little daunting. It may look a bit squished or flat straight out of the box, but this is completely normal and will not affect how beautiful your tree looks once it is fully fluffed. Follow our step-by-step guide and expert tips to get started. If you need extra help, you can always reach out to Customer Service by email or phone. For now, grab a tree fluffing buddy and your favourite warm drink. It’s time to bring your tree to life.
Tree Shaping Tips
⦁ Make it a team effort
Invite family or friends to join in and turn the process into a simple yearly tradition.
⦁ Protect your hands
Wear the included fluffing gloves to prevent pokes or scratches while adjusting branches.
⦁ Use a reference
Check the photo on your tree packaging, in our catalogue or on our website. Some trees are designed with upswept or downswept branches, so angle the tips to match the intended look.
⦁ Check your lights
If your tree is pre lit, plug in the lights as you shape. Replace any non working bulbs with the extras provided so there are no dark areas.
⦁ Patience pays off
The first time shaping your tree takes the longest. In future years, it will be quicker and easier to get your tree looking its best.
Step-by-Step Guide
Step 1: Work One Section at a Time
Start from the bottom and work your way up. It’s easier to perfect each section before moving on to the next. If your tree is taller than you, shape the top section while it is still on the ground, then place it onto the tree for easier fluffing.
Step 2: Lift Inner Branches
Lift the inner branches in an alternating pattern. This helps hide the trunk, fills any gaps and gives your tree a lush, natural look.
Step 3: Spread Out Mid Branches
Near the ends of each branch, you’ll see sturdier offshoots in different lengths. Spread these outward to add fullness. Don’t worry if the tips aren’t identical, as the variation helps create a more natural and realistic look.
Step 4: Separate the Ends
Quickly and firmly pull apart any branch ends that are stuck together. Our branches are sturdy, so you can fluff with confidence.
Step 5: Tip Details: Upswept or Downswept
Depending on the tree style, some tips naturally angle upward or downward, while others extend straight out. These variations are intentional and help give each Christmas tree its own distinct, lifelike look.
Step 6: Embrace Natural Variation
Like real evergreens, every Christmas tree has its own natural shape. These slight differences add character and make your tree uniquely yours. Refer to the product photos of your chosen Balsam Hill Christmas tree to see how the branches are designed to sit, then shape yours in the same direction for the most lifelike result.
Pro Tips:
Depending on your tree’s height and fullness, plan for two people to spend 2 to 3 hours fluffing it the first time it comes out of the delivery box.
Ornaments help hide small gaps. If a spot doesn’t look perfect, simply add your favourite ornament.
Step back every now and then to check for gaps or areas that may need a bit more shaping
Take your time. Beautiful trees and treasured Christmas memories are worth the extra care
How To Fluff and Shape a Balsam Hill Christmas Tree
Watch this video to learn how to fluff and shape most upswept Christmas trees.
How To Shape a BH Balsam Fir Tree
The Balsam Fir features gently upswept branches in a natural deep-green shade, giving it its signature look. Watch this guide on proper fluffing and shaping to help your tree look its best and bring out its beautiful, lifelike form.
How To Shape a BH Fraser Fir Tree
Crafted with over 40 different tip variations, our BH Fraser Fir offers an incredibly realistic look when shaped with care. Watch our fluffing video to bring out its true-to-nature beauty and help your Christmas tree look its absolute best.
How To Shape a Vermont White Spruce Tree
Vermont White Spruce trees feature a classic Christmas tree silhouette with full, graceful branches that are strong enough to hold your ornaments with ease. Follow our shaping guide or watch the video to bring out its beautifully natural form.
How To Shape a Canadian Blue Green Spruce
Classic Blue Green Spruce trees feature dense, sturdy foliage with subtle silvery-blue tones. Follow our shaping guide to bring out their full, true-to-nature beauty.
Frequently Asked Questions
How Do You Make a Christmas Tree Look Bushy?
Making your Christmas tree look full starts with careful shaping. Work from the inside out, separating each branch and fanning the tips in different directions. This helps fill small gaps and creates a natural, dense silhouette.
How Do You Volumise a Christmas Tree?
To add volume, gently lift and angle the branches upwards and outwards. Spread the tips across varying directions to enhance the tree’s profile. You can also use decorative picks or garlands to soften any sparse areas and create a more organic shape.
How Do You Fluff a Christmas Tree Easily?
Fluff one section at a time, starting from the bottom. Shape the inner branches first, then move to the mid-branches and outer tips. This ensures a consistent, full look. We recommend setting aside a few hours when fluffing your tree for the first time, as it becomes quicker and easier in the following years.
How Do You Make a Tree Look Flocked?
For a snow-dusted effect without the mess of DIY flocking, choose a pre-frosted tree from Balsam Hill. Our delicate faux snow is applied in a natural pattern, offering a light, elegant finish that mimics freshly fallen snow.
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