Did you know that pine cones have been used in holiday decor for centuries? Something about their natural charm just screams Christmas! This year, I’m making these DIY Pine Cone Christmas Trees with my kids—and let me tell you, it’s an absolute joy. Whether you’re into rustic vibes or glitter galore, this craft fits right in. With just a few supplies, you’ll be turning basic pine cones into shimmering mini trees that look like they’ve come straight from Santa’s workshop!
GATHER YOUR CRAFT SUPPLIES LIKE A PRO
Alright, if you’re anything like me, the craft closet is a jungle. I’ve got everything from glitter that somehow multiplies to paintbrushes that mysteriously disappear. So before diving into these adorable DIY Pine Cone Christmas Trees, I finally did it—I organized my craft supplies. And let me tell you, it made the whole process so much smoother.
The Craft Store Trap (And How to Avoid It)
You ever walk into a craft store “just for glue” and walk out $70 poorer? Same. So, here’s my advice: make a checklist first. I used a basic notepad app and jotted down everything—pine cones, acrylic paint, mini pom-poms, gold glitter paper, and yep, the mighty hot glue gun.
Don’t forget the glue sticks either. I’ve done the whole “mid-glue and outta glue” thing. Not fun.
Where to Get Pine Cones Without Paying a Dime
Real talk—I used to buy them at craft stores. Then I realized: I literally have free pine cones all over my neighborhood. Just make sure they’re dry and bug-free. I pop them in the oven at 200°F for 20 minutes to open them up and kill off any creepy crawlies.
Also—go for the fatter, more open ones. They’re easier to paint and look way more like mini trees.
Craft Supplies I Swear By
Here’s the quick list that saved me a ton of time and Pinterest fails:
- Acrylic paint (cheap packs are great; go wild with the colors)
- Paintbrushes (small and medium sizes)
- Mini pom-poms (the more colors, the better)
- Hot glue gun (if kids are helping, go with strong craft glue instead)
- Gold glitter foam or even shiny cardboard
- Bases: I’ve used wood slices, bottle caps, and cardboard rounds—whatever you have
Pro tip: If you don’t have wooden slices, just grab a thick cardboard box and cut out circles. Paint ’em brown and boom—rustic vibes on a budget.
Kid-Friendly Alternatives
Let’s be real—hot glue guns are terrifying when toddlers are around. I keep a bottle of tacky craft glue on hand just for them. Takes longer to dry, but way less stress. And if you’re letting them pick pom-poms? Prepare yourself. Every color is going on that tree.
PAINT YOUR PINE CONES IN HOLIDAY COLORS
I’ve gotta admit—I used to think painting pine cones sounded kinda… messy. And yeah, the first time was chaotic. I had paint on my elbows, somehow in my hair, and two pine cones stuck to a paper plate for life. But now? Painting them is my favorite part of this whole DIY Christmas craft.
Picking the Right Paint (Trust Me on This)
Go with acrylic paint. Seriously. Don’t even look at watercolor or anything labeled “washable”—unless you want sad, streaky trees. I like grabbing those little multi-color packs from craft stores (or Amazon during a lightning deal). You’ll get holiday colors like forest green, deep red, metallic gold, even icy blue—all in one shot.
And please, skip the spray paint. I tried it once for speed, and ended up with a windy mess and half a can wasted. Not worth it.
Prepping the Pine Cones Like a Pro
Before painting, I shake the pine cones out (outside, always). You’ll be surprised how much dirt or… let’s just say “nature” is in there. Then I plop them on parchment paper and give them a quick oven bake—just like cookies. 200°F for 20 minutes. This dries them out and makes the paint stick way better.
The Painting Setup That Saved My Sanity
I use paper plates, old newspaper, and a plastic tablecloth. And if you’ve got kids involved? Aprons. Or better yet—old T-shirts you don’t care about.
Use a medium brush for the outer edges and a tiny brush to get into those cone crevices. I learned the hard way that trying to glob on paint fast just leads to big, sticky blobs. Do one coat, let it dry, then touch up.
Color Combos That Actually Look Good
Here are some of my favorite color ideas:
- Classic: Forest green with red and gold accents
- Winter wonderland: White base with blue and silver glitter
- Funky modern: Hot pink and teal (surprisingly festive)
- Kid-favorite: Rainbow stripes (they love going wild)
Pro tip: If you’re making a Christmas tree centerpiece, stick to one palette across all the trees for that Pinterest-worthy look.
Drying Without the Drama
Let your pine cones dry on parchment paper or a cooling rack overnight. I once stacked them to “save space.” Spoiler: bad idea. They stuck together like glue.
Also, if you’re impatient (me, always), a hair dryer on low heat can help speed things up.
DECORATE WITH POM-POMS, BEADS & SPARKLES
This is where the magic really happens. Like, I painted my pine cones and thought, “Yeah, these are cute.” But once I added the decorations? Boom—DIY holiday decor level: expert. I felt like a mix of Martha Stewart and a glitter-loving elf.
The Pom-Pom Party
Okay, so mini pom-poms? Game-changer. I grabbed a bag of like 200 for under five bucks. The trick is picking the right size—too big, and your pine cone looks like it’s wearing clown shoes. I use the 5mm or 7mm ones—just small enough to sit neatly on each “branch.”
I usually go for a mix of traditional red and green with a few sparkly golds tossed in. But my kids? All about rainbow chaos. Honestly, it still ends up looking amazing.
Stick those babies on with craft glue or a low-temp hot glue gun. If you’re doing this with younger kids, Elmer’s works, but give it overnight to dry.
Gettin’ Fancy with Beads and Sequins
You know those little jars of beads you’ve had since forever? Now’s the time. I’ve used pearl beads, mini jingle bells, even the little gold stars from confetti packs. Just dot a little glue on a pine cone tip and press gently. Boom—tiny Christmas tree decorations that sparkle like nobody’s business.
Sequins are trickier. They slip and slide more than I’d like. But if you use tacky craft glue and tweezers, they’ll stay put.
Don’t Be Afraid of Glitter (Mostly…)
Look, glitter has a bad rep. And yeah, it ends up everywhere. But when you see that first cone glisten under the tree lights? Worth it.
Here’s how I do it:
- Light brush of glue across the tips
- Sprinkle glitter with a spoon (control is key)
- Let dry on a lined tray so you can reuse the excess
Gold and silver look amazing on green. I’ve also done glitter ornaments in pink and blue on white cones for a snow queen vibe.
If you’re glitter-phobic, try using glittery paint instead. Less mess, still shiny.
Let the Kids Go Wild (Within Reason)
I always set up a “chaos cone” table for my kids. They get free reign with pom-poms, beads, and whatever sparkles we have. It’s like holiday crafting meets sensory play. Some of their trees end up… wild. But honestly, they’re my favorites.
Pro tip: use a muffin tin to organize all the decorations. Keeps things way more contained than scattering a hundred tiny pieces across the table.
TOP IT OFF WITH A SPARKLING STAR
No tree’s complete without a star, right? Same goes for these mini pine cone beauties. Honestly, this is the part that makes your DIY Christmas tree decorations look next-level festive. Like, once you glue that sparkly star on top, suddenly the whole thing feels done. Magical, even.
Gold Glitter Foam is the Real MVP
First time I made these, I tried cutting stars from cardboard and covering them with glitter. It worked, but let’s just say… my kitchen looked like a disco exploded. Now? I use glitter foam sheets. They’re cheap, pre-sparkled, and super easy to cut.
Just grab a small star stencil or trace around a cookie cutter. I usually make the stars about the size of a nickel or a quarter—big enough to show up, but not so big they make the cone top-heavy.
You can also use glitter cardstock, shiny stickers, or even those little wooden stars from craft stores. Just paint them gold or silver and you’re set.
How to Glue Without the Mess
Gluing a star to the tip of a pine cone sounds simple—until it slides off mid-dry or ends up crooked. I learned the hard way (a few times). Now I either:
- Use hot glue for instant hold
- Or prop the cone in a bowl while the craft glue dries, so the star doesn’t move
Also: if your pine cone has a really narrow tip, just clip the very end off with scissors to create a flatter spot for gluing.
Creative Tree Topper Ideas (When You Run Out of Stars)
One time I ran out of glitter foam mid-project (because I always underestimate how much I need). Here are some last-minute Christmas tree topper alternatives I’ve used:
- A big sequin
- A shiny button
- A gold bead or pearl
- A mini bell (super cute and jingly)
- Tiny bows made from ribbon
Honestly, some of these looked better than my stars.
Stars = Personality
What surprised me most was how much personality each tree gets just from the star. One gold star makes it classic. A silver snowflake? Insta-elegant. My daughter once glued on a purple unicorn sticker instead. I mean, why not?
And don’t worry about perfection. A little wonkiness just adds charm. If anything, I’d say the less “perfect” it looks, the more it feels handmade—and that’s the whole point, right?
MOUNT YOUR MINI TREE FOR DISPLAY
So, after I painted and decorated my first pine cone tree, I proudly set it on the table… and it rolled off. Twice. That’s when I realized these little guys need a base—like, a proper one. Otherwise, they wobble like a toddler in snow boots.
Wood Slices: Rustic and Rock-Solid
When I discovered those small wooden slice bases, it was love at first glue. They’re cute, sturdy, and add that rustic “I-make-my-own-decor” vibe. I bought a bag of them online—around 20 for $10—and they were totally worth it. Just a dab of hot glue, press the pine cone down, hold for ten seconds, done.
Pro tip: sand the slice lightly if it’s rough. And you can even add fake snow or glitter around the bottom for that cozy forest floor look.
No Wood? Use Bottle Caps or Cardboard!
Not gonna lie, I’ve run out of wood slices before. Here’s what I used instead—and it actually worked:
- Bottle caps for crafts: Just flip ’em upside down, fill with glue, and sit the cone in. Great for mini versions.
- Cardboard circles: I trace around a jar lid, cut out the circle, and double it up with glue for extra thickness.
- Plastic yogurt lids: For larger cones. Painted white, they look like snow bases.
Honestly, this hack saved Christmas crafting last year when I had 10 cones left and no more wood.
Make It a Centerpiece
Once your trees are mounted, you can build out a little Christmas centerpiece. I line them up on a tray with fairy lights and fake snow. Looks like a tiny winter village. My mom even asked where I bought it—insert smug crafter smile here.
If you’re gifting these, mount them on something light but sturdy (like cardboard or foam core), and wrap them in a clear bag with a little bow. Boom: adorable handmade gift.
Keeping ‘Em Upright
Last thing—don’t underestimate gravity. If a cone is a little crooked or top-heavy (especially with a big star), just tilt it while the glue’s setting. And if it still leans like the Tower of Pisa? Call it “whimsical” and roll with it. That’s holiday charm, baby.
CREATE A WINTRY SCENE WITH FINISHING TOUCHES
Alright, so once I had my pine cone trees all painted, sparkled, and star-topped, I couldn’t just let them sit there alone. Nope. I wanted the full winter wonderland. That little magical moment where it looks like a snow globe spilled out on your table. That’s where the finishing touches come in—and honestly, it might be my favorite part.
Fake Snow = Holiday Vibes, Instantly
I used to think you needed fancy supplies for this, but nah. Here’s what works like a charm:
- Baking soda + glitter = frosty snow effect
- Cotton balls pulled apart = fluffy, cloud-like snow
- Or just buy a bag of that soft, fluffy fake snow from the dollar store. You’ll get enough to last the entire season (and probably into next).
I like sprinkling snow around each tree base and then dusting the tips with more glitter. If you’re going for “magical forest,” this is the move.
Turn It Into a Mini Christmas Forest
After making a few trees, I realized they look so much better grouped together. I made a little mini Christmas forest on my mantel using five trees, some battery-powered fairy lights, and a handful of pinecones I didn’t even paint—just natural brown with snow dusted on.
One year, I even added tiny toy deer and bottle brush trees. Looked like a Hallmark movie set. My guests could not stop staring.
Build a Christmas Village Display
Wanna go big? Create an entire DIY holiday scene:
- Line up the pine cone trees on a cake stand
- Add some Christmas village decorations—tiny houses, snowmen, whatever you’ve got
- Wrap fairy lights around the base for that soft evening glow
- Sprinkle glitter or salt for that snow sparkle
I use this as my dining table centerpiece every year now. It’s handmade, festive, and way cheaper than buying those expensive village sets.
Gifting? Package It Pretty
If you’re giving a pine cone tree as a gift (and you should—they’re adorable), add a little scene inside a box lid or shallow tray. Some snow, maybe a mini ornament, and a handwritten tag. Tie it up in cellophane, and you’ve got a Pinterest-worthy holiday present.
And there you have it—my go-to, no-fail way to turn a bunch of pine cones into magical little Christmas decorations. It started as a fun weekend idea and turned into one of our favorite holiday crafts. Whether you’re making one tree or a whole snowy forest, every cone turns out different—and that’s kind of the best part.
I love how this project brings everyone together. The kids get messy, I get my sparkle fix, and we all end up with something we’re actually proud to display (or gift!). Plus, it’s budget-friendly, low-pressure, and honestly… a little addictive. Every year, I somehow make more.
If you give this a try, tag me or drop a comment—I’d love to see your versions! And don’t forget to pin this project on Pinterest so you’ve got it saved for next year (or tomorrow, if you get hooked like I did).
Happy crafting, merry Christmas, and may your pine cones always be glittered!
