DIY Glitter Pine Cone Ornaments: Add Sparkle to Your Holiday Decor

There’s something truly magical about the humble pine cone. Its natural beauty, intricate design, and earthy scent evoke feelings of warmth, comfort, and nostalgia, especially as the holiday season approaches. For years, I’ve cherished these little wonders, bringing them into our home to infuse every corner with a touch of nature’s charm. From the cozy autumn days when cinnamon-scented pine cones fill wicker baskets with fragrant delight, to the festive Christmas season when they transform into rustic ornaments, their versatility is simply enchanting. This year, I decided to embark on a delightful DIY project a little early: giving our beloved pine cones a shimmering, glittery makeover!

My vision was to create dazzling ornaments that would first adorn our Thanksgiving table in elegant glass bowls, adding a touch of festive sparkle to our autumnal feast. Afterwards, these shimmering beauties will find their rightful place hanging gracefully on our Christmas tree, extending their festive cheer throughout the winter season. The best part? This project is incredibly simple, making it a perfect activity for crafters of all ages, including little helpers! Get ready to infuse your home with handmade charm and a generous sprinkle of holiday magic. Let’s dive into this easy-to-follow tutorial below.

Why Choose DIY Glitter Pine Cones? The Magic of Handmade Holiday Decor

In a world of mass-produced decorations, creating your own holiday accents offers a unique and personal touch that simply can’t be replicated. DIY glitter pine cone ornaments are not just decorations; they are small tokens of love, creativity, and festive spirit. Here’s why this project is a must-try for your holiday season:

• Personalized Charm: Each pine cone, with its unique shape and scale, becomes a one-of-a-kind masterpiece once adorned with glitter. You get to choose the colors, the amount of sparkle, and even the scent, tailoring them perfectly to your home’s aesthetic.
• Budget-Friendly Decor: Pine cones are abundant in nature and often free! Even if you purchase decorative ones, this project is significantly more economical than buying pre-made ornaments, allowing you to create a large batch without breaking the bank.
• Family Fun: This is an ideal craft for engaging the whole family. Kids will love the sensory experience of dipping pine cones in glue and glitter, and the pride of seeing their creations displayed is priceless. It’s a wonderful way to create lasting holiday memories together.
• Versatile Decoration: As mentioned, these glittery wonders are incredibly versatile. Use them as Thanksgiving centerpieces, hang them on your Christmas tree, incorporate them into garlands, wreaths, or even use them as charming gift toppers. Their adaptability makes them a valuable addition to your holiday decor arsenal.
• Thoughtful Gifts: Handmade gifts carry a special sentiment. Bag up a few of these glittering pine cones with a festive ribbon, and you have a beautiful, heartfelt present for friends, neighbors, or teachers.
• Sustainable Crafting: By utilizing natural elements like pine cones, you’re embracing a more eco-conscious approach to holiday decorating, connecting with nature while enhancing your home.

Embrace the joy of crafting and let these glittering pine cones bring a little extra sparkle to your celebrations!

Gather Your Supplies: Everything You Need for Shimmering Pine Cones

Before you begin your glittering transformation, ensure you have all the necessary materials laid out. Having everything organized makes the crafting process smooth, enjoyable, and mess-free. The beauty of this project lies in its simplicity; you don’t need a long list of complicated items. Here’s a detailed look at what you’ll need to gather:

• 5-6 Decorative Cinnamon Scented Pine Cones: While you can gather natural pine cones from your backyard or local park, purchasing decorative ones, especially those pre-scented with cinnamon, adds an extra layer of sensory delight. The cinnamon fragrance instantly evokes holiday cheer and makes your finished ornaments even more special. If using natural pine cones, ensure they are clean and dry. You might even bake them at a low temperature (around 200°F or 90°C for 30 minutes) to open them up and kill any potential pests.
• White Glue (PVA Glue): Standard white craft glue, like Elmer’s Glue-All or similar, works perfectly for this project. It dries clear, providing a strong adhesive for the glitter without altering its sparkle. Make sure you have enough to generously coat your pine cones.
• White Iridescent Glitter: The iridescent quality of white glitter is crucial here. It catches the light beautifully, creating a multi-dimensional shimmer that mimics fresh snow or a frosted winter wonderland. While white is classic, feel free to experiment with silver, gold, or even a mix of fine and chunky glitters for varied textures and effects.
• Red and White Twine: This festive color combination is perfect for holiday ornaments. The twine will be used to create hangers for your pine cones, allowing you to suspend them from your tree or other decor. Ensure it’s sturdy enough to hold the weight of a glitter-covered pine cone. You can also use baker’s twine, thin ribbon, or even fishing line for a more ‘floating’ effect.
• Paper Plates or Trays: You’ll need at least two, one for the glue and one for the glitter. These make for easy cleanup and help contain the mess.
• Newspaper or Drop Cloth: Always a good idea to protect your work surface from glue and glitter.

Step-by-Step Instructions: Crafting Your Shimmering Pine Cone Ornaments

Now that you have all your supplies ready, it’s time to transform those beautiful pine cones into dazzling holiday decor. Follow these simple steps for a successful and enjoyable crafting experience:

1. Prepare Your Workspace

   Lay down newspaper, a plastic tablecloth, or a drop cloth to protect your work surface. Glitter has a magical way of getting everywhere, so preparation is key to an easy cleanup. Also, set up your paper plates: pour a generous amount of white glue onto one plate and spread an even layer of iridescent glitter onto the other.

2. Attach the Twine Hanger

   Take a strand of red and white twine, approximately 8-10 inches long. Tie one end securely around the bottom stem or one of the lower scales of each pine cone. Create a loop at the top and tie it off with a knot. This loop will serve as the hanger for your ornament. Make sure the knot is tight so the pine cone hangs securely. If you plan to use them only in bowls, you can skip this step or add it later if you change your mind.

   

   

3. Set Up Glue and Glitter Stations

   Using two separate paper plates, pour a good amount of white glue onto one plate, spreading it slightly. On the second plate, create a generous bed of your white iridescent glitter. These will be your dipping stations. Having enough material in each plate ensures full coverage with less effort.

   

4. Dip in Glue

   Carefully pick up a pine cone by its twine hanger or by the very bottom. Gently dip the pine cone into the glue, making sure to coat the tips and edges of the scales thoroughly. You don’t need to completely submerge it; just ensure the parts where you want glitter are wet. You can roll it slightly or dab it to get good coverage. Let any excess glue drip off for a few seconds.

   

5. Apply the Glitter

   Immediately after dipping in glue, transfer the wet pine cone to the plate of glitter. Roll the pine cone around in the glitter, ensuring all the glue-coated surfaces are thoroughly covered. Gently press the pine cone into the glitter to help it adhere. You can also sprinkle extra glitter over any sparse spots. The more glitter, the more sparkle!

   

   

6. Allow to Dry

   Once your pine cone is sufficiently glittery, gently shake off any loose excess glitter. Hang the pine cone somewhere safe to dry completely. A clothesline with clothespins, a drying rack, or even simply laying them on a clean, protected surface (like wax paper) will work. Drying typically takes a few hours, but it’s best to let them sit overnight to ensure the glue is fully cured and the glitter is firmly attached. Patience is key for a durable finish!

7. Display Your Creations!

   Once fully dry, your beautiful glitter pine cones are ready for their grand debut! Arrange them artfully in a glass bowl as a stunning centerpiece for your Thanksgiving table or mantelpiece. The subtle shimmer will catch the candlelight beautifully. When Christmas arrives, simply hang them on your tree using the twine loops you created. They’ll add a touch of rustic elegance and festive sparkle that truly captures the spirit of the season.

   

Tips for Success and Creative Variations

To make your DIY glitter pine cone experience even more rewarding and to unlock new possibilities, consider these additional tips and creative variations:

General Crafting Tips:

• Source Your Pine Cones Wisely: If foraging for pine cones, collect them after a dry spell. Clean them by gently brushing off dirt and debris. To kill bugs and help them open, bake them on a foil-lined baking sheet at 200°F (90°C) for about 30-60 minutes, keeping a close eye on them to prevent burning. Let them cool completely before use.
• Minimize Glitter Mess: Work over a large tray or box to catch falling glitter. Once you’re done, you can carefully pour the excess glitter back into its container, minimizing waste and making cleanup easier.
• Even Glue Application: For a more controlled glue application, use a foam brush or an old paintbrush to dab glue onto the pine cone scales before dipping it into glitter. This is particularly useful if you only want to glitter specific areas.
• Double Coat for Extra Sparkle: For an intensely shimmering effect, allow the first layer of glitter to dry completely, then apply another thin layer of glue and glitter.
• Sealing the Glitter: To prevent glitter fallout over time, you can apply a thin coat of clear spray sealant (like a clear acrylic sealer) once the ornaments are fully dry. Do this in a well-ventilated area.

Creative Variations to Try:

• Color Theme: Instead of just white, try glitters in gold, silver, bronze, red, or green to match different holiday themes. Mix and match for a vibrant display.
• Two-Tone Glitter: Apply one color of glitter to the tips and a different color to the deeper parts of the scales for a multi-dimensional look.
• Scented Alternatives: If you’re using natural pine cones, you can add your own scent. Mix a few drops of essential oil (cinnamon, orange, pine, frankincense) with your glue before applying, or spray the finished, dry pine cones with a diluted essential oil blend.
• Additional Embellishments: Once the glitter is dry, hot glue small beads, tiny faux berries, miniature bows made from thin ribbon, or even small sprigs of artificial pine onto your pine cones for extra charm.
• Different Hangers: Instead of twine, use elegant velvet ribbon for a luxurious touch, rustic jute string for a farmhouse feel, or clear fishing line for an invisible hanging effect.
• Garland Creation: String several glitter pine cones together with beads or other natural elements to create a festive garland for your mantelpiece, staircase, or doorway.
• Gift Toppers & Place Settings: Use smaller glitter pine cones as charming toppers for wrapped gifts or as unique place card holders at your holiday dinner table.
• Varying Pine Cone Sizes: Experiment with different sizes of pine cones for varied visual interest in your arrangements. Larger ones make bold statements, while smaller ones are perfect for filling gaps.

With these tips and variations, your DIY glitter pine cones will not only be stunning decorations but also a true expression of your creativity and holiday spirit!

These sparkling pine cones are truly a joy to create, and the process is so straightforward that even the youngest members of your family can lend a hand, making it a cherished holiday tradition. Their captivating shimmer and rustic elegance make them beautiful additions to any festive setting. Beyond decorating your own home, these handmade treasures are pretty enough to be thoughtfully bagged and given as heartfelt gifts to friends, family, and loved ones. Imagine the delight of receiving a shimmering, handmade ornament that carries a personal touch of holiday cheer!

So, gather your supplies, call upon your inner crafter, and get ready to add a dazzling touch to your holiday celebrations. Happy crafting!

Explore More Easy DIY Holiday Decor Ideas!

If you’ve enjoyed creating these glitter pine cone ornaments and are eager to tackle another simple yet elegant project to enhance your holiday home, we have just the thing for you!

Discover Our DIY Faux Fur Acorn Napkin Rings

Elevate your holiday table setting with these charming and cozy DIY Faux Fur Acorn Napkin Rings. They’re another incredibly easy project that adds a touch of rustic sophistication and warmth to your festive meals. These acorn napkin rings perfectly complement the natural, glittery aesthetic of your pine cones, creating a cohesive and beautifully decorated space.

Click on the image below to be whisked away to the full tutorial and learn how to craft these delightful napkin rings. Get ready to impress your guests with your handmade decor!