How do I use pine cones as Christmas decorations – Ask the Gardener

Ellen asked,” I have an abundance of pine cones in my yard. How can I use them as Christmas decorations?

Christmas is an excellent time to make nature-based crafts. One year I simply tied pine cones to a long piece of twine and making a pine cone garland. I made ones to hang over the front door and several to place on my Christmas tree. I didn’t paint or glue anything on them, I used them in their original form, and they gave the door and the tree a rustic old fashion Christmas time appearance.

A few years ago, I purchased a cheap crockpot and bought several blocks of plain white paraffin wax. I bought a package of crayons to add color to the wax and small bottles of cinnamon, vanilla, and other fragrances of essential oils. I also purchased a couple of bottles of colored glitter.  I gathered several kinds and shapes of pine cones. I purchased old fashion looking ribbon to tie to the cones.

I added the wax to the crockpot and let it melt. In one batch I added two red crayons to give the wax a bright red color. I also added several drops of fragrance into the melted wax. With an old tong I lowered the cone into the wax making sure the entire cone was covered and sat it on wax paper to dry. On some I sprinkled the glitter on the soft wax. I made several cones with various colors and fragrances.

Once dry I added bows and tied a piece of twine around the top of the cone so it could be hung on a tree branch. The cones were both beautiful and smelled wonderful! Once placed on the tree, the fragrance filled the room. The cones are three years old now and still smell wonderful!