Pine Cone Christmas Decorations

What can’t you do with a pine cone? You can do all sorts of neat things, in terms of creating decorations, with pine cones. Pine cones are free if you live in an area where pine trees grow – and if you don’t, you can purchase pine cones from a crafts store.

If you are using pine cones that you pick up yourself out of the woods, make absolutely sure that you shake them well before bringing them in to dispose of any live bugs that are inside the pine cone. If they are especially dirty, it is fine to spray them with a water hose to wash them off. You can then either leave them outside to dry, or bring them in to dry.

Pine cones have seeds inside, and may produce sap. To avoid this, put the pine cones that you want to use on a cookie sheet in a 200 degree oven for an hour.

Pine Cone Christmas Ornaments:

Here, you are free to let your imagination run wild. You can spray paint the cones either gold, silver or white. Spray paint the cone, and then sprinkle glitter on it while the cone is still wet – or use glitter glue after the paint is dried for a more controlled decoration. Ribbons, sequins, beads – the possibilities are endless. It’s kind of like decorating Easter eggs – there doesn’t have to be a set pattern to anything.

Pine cones can be hung from the tree branches either upside-down or right-side-up. The choice is yours. Use wire and wrap the wire around either the top or bottom of the cone, making sure that you push the wire as far into the opening of the cone as you can so that it doesn’t show. Form a hook from the end of the wire, and it is ready to hang on the tree.

Pine Cone Clusters:

Pine cone clusters can be used as center pieces, tree ornaments, or even wall
decorations. They are commonly used in wreathes as well. You will need pine cones that still have stems on them for the best possible results.

Cluster the pine cones together by the stems. You can tie them together with string for security, and then cover the string with a bow. Add some berry clusters to the cluster as well. You can decorate the individual pine cones as you see fit. Again, get creative. You are only limited by your own imagination! Make it unique, and make it special.

Pine Cone Basket Decorations:

Pine cone baskets are very popular and classy. All you need is a basket – again, this is your choice. Choose a basket that appeals to you. It can either have a handle or not have a handle.

You will need several pinecones, in various shapes and sizes. Arrange the pine cones in the basket. Further fill the basket with bits of holly and other evergreen foliage. You can even decorate the basket with Christmas tree lights, ribbon, glitter glue, or a variety of other materials. If it has a handle, make a nice bow and attach it to the handle of the basket.

These work well on coffee tables, dinner table center pieces, and on fireplace hearths. If you have cats or small children, you may want to glue the contents of the basket in place.

Pine Cone Angel:

Get a nice sized pine cone, and spray paint it white. Use glitter glue to decorate the angels ‘dress,’ which is the pine cone.

Purchase an angel doll head or use a 1 inch to 2 inch wooden bead. If using a bead, purchase doll hair and glue it on top of the bead. Decorate the face with markers or paint.

Place glue inside the edges of the hole in the bottom of the doll head and press it down over the top of the pine cone firmly.

Wings can be made out of a variety of material. Some suggestions include white netting, white felt, white cloth, and white lace. Cut the wings in the shape of a butterfly and attach them to the back of the pine cone – on the angel’s back – with hot glue.

Pine Cone Christmas Tree:

For this project, choose a pine cone that is opened up really well.

Using green or red ribbon, form and tie a loop to the tip of the pine cone. This will serve as the hanger. Spray paint the pine cone green, and sprinkle either silver or gold glitter over the pine cone while it is still wet. Allow the pine cone to dry.

Glue sequins on the ‘tree’ for ornaments. Use a variety of colors for this. Finish decorating your tree with garland. You can use a couple of single strands of silver tinsel for this – or use rick-a-rack, which can be found near the sewing supplies in any crafts store.

You can even put a little snow on your tree with some white paint. Again, use your imagination and try different things. Pine cones are free, and if they aren’t free, they are very cheap!