A Little Holiday Magic: Pine Cone Christmas Trees Anyone Can Make
It’s Craft for Adults Tuesday! Today I’m sharing a little project that’s bursting with cozy holiday charm — mini Christmas trees made from pine cones. They’re rustic, nostalgic, and so simple that you’ll be tempted to make a whole forest of them.
You’ll need just a few things:
- Pine cones (the more perfectly “tree-shaped,” the better)
- Green acrylic paint
- Wine corks (for the trunks)
- A hot glue gun
- A bit of cardboard and yellow paint for the stars
Here’s how:
- Paint your pine cones green and let them dry.
- Glue each pine cone to a cork to give your little tree a sturdy base.
- Cut tiny stars from cardboard, paint them yellow (or gold, or leave them natural — all look pretty!), and glue one to the top of each tree.
- Finally, brush a whisper of white paint on the tips for a snowy touch.
That’s it! You’ll have a sweet collection of handmade Christmas trees perfect for mantels, centerpieces, or tucked into little holiday vignettes.
I took pictures while making these, so you can see the process in action. I’ll also link my favorite green paint and glue gun below — both have been holiday craft MVPs this season.
It’s such a small, simple project… but there’s something about sitting down to paint pine cones that really brings back the magic of Christmas, don’t you think?
🎄 Holiday Decor Ideas for Pine Cone Trees
- Mantel Display: Group a few together at different heights with fairy lights or faux snow sprinkled underneath. Add a couple of bottle brush trees or candles for that “winter forest” vibe.
- Table Centerpiece: Line them down the center of the dining table on a runner of burlap or plaid fabric. You can tuck in pine sprigs, cinnamon sticks, and dried orange slices for a rustic holiday table.
- Gift Toppers: Tie one onto a wrapped gift with twine — it instantly makes your present look boutique-worthy.
- Place Settings: Add a little pine cone tree to each place setting for Christmas dinner. Attach a name tag to the “trunk” and let guests take them home as favors.
- Mini Village Scene: Mix them with small ceramic houses or your favorite vintage figurines to create a woodland Christmas village.
- Shelf or Tiered Tray Decor: These fit perfectly on a tiered tray or small shelf for subtle holiday cheer without overwhelming your space.
- Ornaments: Glue a loop of ribbon or twine to the top and hang them on the tree!
- Teacher or Neighbor Gifts: Pair one with a little candle or a bag of cookies for a sweet, thoughtful (and inexpensive) gift.
Acrylic Paint, 25 Colors 2oz/60ml Bottles. Walmart affiliate link https://walmrt.us/4kJJYYq
Hot glue gun – Cordless hot glue gun Walmart affiliate link https://walmrt.us/4nMPASZ
And get a big supply of craft corks from Walmart with this affiliate link: https://walmrt.us/4qU4WHh
Let me know if you work on these pine cone trees! Have a great day! xoxo, Dana
