If you’d like to add an organic, but classic element to your Christmas décor, consider whipping up some DIY pinecone ornaments. These are so easy and versatile, and you can reuse them year after year – inside and outdoors.
Since we’re situated in the Maine woods, I want our holiday décor to reflect the natural beauty surrounding us. In addition to lots of fresh greenery, utilizing the abundance of pinecones on our property just seemed like a no brainer.
After collecting two bucket loads of pinecones – mostly from our white pines – I went to work cleaning them up. Pinecones can carry small bugs, so prep is important! It kills any critters hiding inside and prevents them from crawling all over the place.
Just follow these steps and you’ll be primed for decorating.
Pinecone prep
- Soak them in a solution of white vinegar and warm water for 30-60 minutes. Gently remove any remaining dirt and debris with an old toothbrush.
- Let the pinecones air dry on an old towel (this can anywhere from an hour to overnight, depending on the humidity levels in your house).
- After air drying, put them on an old cookie sheet lined with aluminum foil and place them in the oven for 1-2 hours at 250°F. This will kill any remaining bugs.
Once you’ve prepped your pinecones and they’ve cooled down, it’s time for decorating!
Decorating
I opted to paint the tips white and sprinkle them with white or clear glitter, so they looked like they’d been dusted with snow or kissed by a winter frost. You can also dip them in any color paint to achieve a different look – metallics are wonderful. How you decorate them is entirely up to you.
Following the paint and glitter, I fashioned a hook from craft wire to hang them on my tree. I also attached some to floral picks to use in tabletop and outdoor arrangements.
These are easily added to garlands, wreaths, and outdoor décor, or placed in a bowl as a festive touch. So easy, yet so sweet!
I hope you’ll give them a try – it’s a great, inexpensive way to add a natural element to your holiday decorating.
For more DIY projects, check out our post on crafting a farmhouse style barn door!