This simple trick made my tired, old artificial Christmas tree look full and luxurious again – and saved me buying a new one

'Tis the season to be jolly, and, as someone who loves her artificial Christmas tree, I am always looking for new ways to make it look more fabulous. Last year, however, I found the branches were looking somewhat lackluster and in need of a lift.

I have finally admitted to myself that my beloved family tree, which belonged to my partner's grandmother before we took it in, requires more drastic measures. And, while reading about the famous Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree in New York City, I came across a clever pro trick to try: adding extra foliage.

Every year, extra branches are added to the famous Rockefeller Tree before lighting so I decided to give it a try myself. Here I explain how I bolstered my Christmas tree ideas and breathed new life into my aged artificial tree.

How I revived my tired Christmas tree and left it looking fuller

The simple answer is to fluff up your existing artificial tree branches and pines to the best of your ability to counter the compression it's undergone for being stored for a year, then add in extra fir garlands and branches to make it look full and luxurious.

Here are the steps I took, and what you can easily replicate when making a tired Christmas tree look fuller:

1. Put up your tree and honestly assess it

I started by putting my existing Christmas tree up first to get a sense of what I had to work with and how much extra garland I may need to enhance its look. I have to admit that my tree has been used and loved since before I was born before finding its way into our home and was definitely looking a little worse for wear.

However, as someone who sees Christmas as a time for sentimentality, I couldn't bear to part with it.

One of the first steps when decorating a Christmas tree is always to fluff the branches (especially on artificial trees). David Miller, experienced arborist at Austin Tree Services explains, 'Fluffing might seem simple, but it's the backbone of making an artificial tree look naturally full. Start at the bottom and work your way up. Separate each branch by pulling out smaller branches individually, spreading them out in different directions.

'For artificial trees, bend and twist each branch to avoid any flat sections, and make sure you're reaching close to the trunk for inner fullness. By fanning out branches in various directions, you add natural depth and volume that makes all the difference.'

So, I started at the bottom and worked my way up, fluffing the faux needles up from where they had been crushed in the box and rearranging the branches to cover some of the larger gaps where possible.

After this, I took stock of what I had to work with and went on the hunt for some Christmas garland ideas that would match my tree.

All prices were correct at time of publication.

2. Add garlands 

While many think that garlands are only good for Christmas table garland ideas and Christmas window decor, these chunky sections of faux fir and pine trees can help to make any Christmas tree look fuller.

Arborist Miller says, 'A garland is pure magic when it comes to filling gaps. For that classic, nostalgic holiday look, a thick tinsel garland works wonders.'

I decided on this 50 Foot Garland I found on Amazon, to add to my tree, and decided I would use Christmas tree ribbon ideas to fill in the gaps and add depth and additional texture. I was worried that the garland being a slightly different shade to my tree would make the tree look tacky, but the slight tonal difference actually made the tree look a little more real and a little less artificial.

Miller suggests, 'Tuck the garland deep into the branches rather than letting it sit just on the surfaces, to hide any empty spots and add a beautiful shimmer.

'Alternatively, try faux greenery garlands, such as the 72" Real Touch Norfolk Pine Garland available at Amazon, to create fullness, and give a layered effect that's particularly attractive for artificial trees or trees with sparser branches.'

I used a zigzagging technique I learned while trying a new Christmas tree lighting technique to cover the areas of the tree that were visible (not wasting any garland on the back of the tree that was pushed against the wall) and pushed the garland back on the branches to fill the gaps. I made sure to do a little more 'fluffing' once it was in place too to incorporate the new branches.

What's more, this method can be used for real Christmas trees too, with real fresh foliage garlands available online.

3. Add lights and decorations to disguise the added foliage

Once the entire garland was in place and I was happy with the positioning (and content that there were little to no gaps left in the faux foliage) I moved on to adding my Christmas light ideas, waving the lights in among the garlands to incorporate my additions into the tree more effectively.

Interior designer and founder of Style by Magda, Magda Callery says, 'More lights = more magic. Wrap the tree from the inside out, starting close to the trunk. Then, add an outer layer to cover any bare spots. Mix larger, retro-style bulbs with regular string lights for a unique glow.'

We recommend the bestselling 100-Count Clear Incandescent Mini Christmas Lights available at Walmart, which have a green wire to effortlessly blend them into your tree foliage. 'Plus, nothing says festive like a tree that lights up the whole room – and possibly the next-door neighbor's, too!' adds Callery.

Then, I used my carefully selected ornaments, and made sure to fill any remaining gaps with larger baubles. As Callery says, 'Got a bare spot? Call in the over sized ornaments! Big, bold ornaments fill gaps and make your tree look festive with minimal effort.'

I love these 5" Colorful Glass Bauble Ornaments available at Anthropologie for a vintage, kitsch look to make your Christmas tree decor look more expensive.

'You can cluster them to create a fuller look,' adds Callery, and why not add tinsel, which she dubs the 'OG of tree fluffers.' The Enamel Bauble + Tinsel Garland available at Anthropologie is perfect for this, for a nostalgic and cheerful burst of color.

My old tree looks almost new, and I have managed to keep the tree that means so much to me. I think the little extra effort has been worth it.

FAQs

How do you decorate a Christmas tree so it looks full?

One of the best ways to make a Christmas tree look fuller is to fluff the branches as you work – especially on an artificial tree. This can take some time and patience but pays off in the end.

You may also want to consider using thicker ribbon decorations to bulk out your tree and fill in spaces that fluffed branches don't quite cover. The Ribbli Swirl Glitter wide ribbon from Amazon has a luxe, intricate pattern with shimmer, and comes in nine colors.

How can I make my sparse Christmas tree look better?

If you have a particularly sparse Christmas tree, then it may be worth embracing the existing structure and going for minimalist Christmas decor ideas.

Use smaller tree decorations, minimal delicate lights, and incorporate more natural materials throughout the decor in your home to make a sparse tree look intentional.

'The final flourish that often gets overlooked is the base,' says arborist Miller, so why not up your Christmas tree skirt ideas to ground the look of your tree, hide the tree stand and visually tie everything together.

Miller adds, 'Beyond looks, a thick tree skirt provides a cozy spot for presents and elevates the whole arrangement. It's like adding a luxurious frame to a beautiful picture, making the tree's fullness even more impactful.'