1 of 12

Write now Article Tools

Pine cone Christmas ornaments are a traditional craft and easy item to create. They are cheap, pretty, and can be quickly customized. The whole family can be involved, from kids to seniors, each creating a personal ornament to put on the tree.

- SUPPLIES -

1. Pine cones, either picked or bought.

2. Ribbons of any/all sizes and colors.

3. Eye screws, one for each pine cone, to create a hook.

4. Regular craft paint and/or spray paint. Paintbrush for each person and a paint-dish.

5. Decorations like beads, ribbons, bows, bells, and such.

6. Newspaper, or other disposable covering, to put down over the table for easy clean-up.

7. Hot glue (optional).

- DIRECTIONS -

1. Take pine cone and remove any stem. Attach an eye screw to the missing stem area.

- The screw becomes a subtle and sturdy "stem" It provides a loop to tie the ribbon to, so the ornament can be hung from the tree. It also leaves room to add tied decorations. Tie a piece of string from it for now, so you can hang it up to dry after painting.

2. Take the pine cone and paint it!

- Metallic silver or gold are the most popular colors. Try using a brush and paint just the tip of each scale. Or use some spray-paint and mist the whole thing in an even coat. You can also use an assortment of "metallic sheen" colors. Try metallic red, metallic green, and metallic silver for a real eyecatching piece.

- If you are feeling extra creative, do some pattern and detail work. Try painting every other scale in green, and the rest in red. Or do the painting, then use a light overall coat of glitter spray-paint to jazz it up. Don't forget you can add stripes, polka dots, snowflakes or whatever else your little heart desires.

- Once finished, hang the pine cone from the string and let dry. A wood clothing drying rack or a hanger work for tying the cone to. Once dry, remove and throw away the string.

3. Attach ribbon and decorations to eye screw.

- Take a small length of ribbon and tie it in a sturdy bow around the screw. But make the bow pretty, since it too will show up on the tree. Leave enough room for the ribbon loop to dangle the cone, so it can serve as a hook around the tree branch.

- Tie bows, bells or strands of ribbons from the eye screw, creating a full "top" to the cone. You can also use the hot glue to attach any other bead, miniatures or such decorations to the top. Remember that to get those neat curly effects, you just run a length of ribbon between your thumb and the inner blade of a pair of scissors.

4. Hang up and enjoy!

- Either hang on your tree or find a neat basket to arrange the pine cones in and set it on a table, counter, or shelf.

- ALTERNATIVES -

Remember that pine cones can face up, down, OR sideways. Using ribbon and/or glue, you can also pair the pine cones together to create more elaborate shapes. Try a small and big cone painted shimmering white to whip up a snowman ornament.

<>Carefully hot glue the eye screw into the top of the cone, paint the cone green, and you have a basic Christmas tree to add decorations to. Paint it red and add a fluffy white craft ball to the top and you have a basic Santa hat. Face the cone sideways and add a fluffy red craft ball to the top tip, a pair of googly eyes, and pipe-cleaners as antlers, and you have a red-nosed reindeer.</>

Learn more about this author, Aysha Schurman.
Click here to send this author comments or questions.

Add your voice

Know something about How to make Christmas ornaments from pinecones?
We want to hear your view. Write now!