15 Ways to Decorate with Pinecones After Christmas
As I pack away my Christmas decorations, I always find myself reluctant to store the pinecones. There’s something magical about these natural treasures that makes them perfect for winter decorating long after the holiday season has ended. I’ve discovered that pinecones can transform your home into a cozy winter wonderland without feeling too Christmas-specific. Today, I’m excited to share my favorite ways to decorate with pinecones after Christmas and throughout the winter months.
Below are some of my favorite products for holiday decorating.
1. Create a Frosted Pinecone Centerpiece
One of my absolute favorite winter decorating tricks involves creating a stunning centerpiece using frosted pinecones. I simply collect various sizes of pinecones and lightly brush the tips with white craft paint or artificial snow spray. Then, I arrange them in a rustic wooden bowl or a silver tray, weaving in some battery-operated twinkle lights. The result is absolutely magical – especially during dinner parties when the lights create a soft, warming glow.
2. Design a Winter Window Display
My kitchen windows come alive in winter when I hang pinecones at varying heights using different lengths of clear fishing line. I love how they catch the morning light and create subtle shadows on the windowsill. Sometimes I’ll add small sprigs of evergreen or winter berries to enhance the natural feel. It’s such a simple display, but it makes such a big impact.
3. Fill Hurricane Vases with Layered Pinecones
This is one of the easiest yet most elegant ways to decorate with pinecones. I take large hurricane vases and layer them with pinecones of different sizes. To add some sparkle, I sometimes include silver or white ornaments among the pinecones. The key is to vary the sizes of the pinecones to create visual interest. I place these vases on my mantel or as side table accents.
4. Craft a Pinecone Wreath for Winter
While Christmas wreaths typically feature lots of red and green, I make a winter version using just pinecones, subtle whites, and silvery accents. I start with a wire wreath form and attach pinecones using floral wire. Then, I add touches of white-tipped cedar or dusty miller for contrast. This wreath usually stays on my front door until early spring.
5. Make Pinecone Place Card Holders
When I host winter dinner parties, I love creating unique place card holders using small pinecones. I simply hot glue a small clothespin to each pinecone and use it to hold name cards. These add such a charming touch to the table setting, and guests often ask to take them home as keepsakes.
6. Design a Winter Mantel Display
My mantel becomes a winter wonderland with an arrangement of pinecones in various sizes. I mix them with white pillar candles of different heights and some silver or mercury glass accessories. The key is to create layers and varying heights. Sometimes I’ll add some bare branches spray-painted white for extra winter charm.
7. Create Pinecone Garlands
I string together pinecones using sturdy twine or fishing line to make beautiful garlands. These look stunning draped across a fireplace mantel or wound around a stair railing. To add some sparkle, I sometimes spray some of the pinecones with silver or pearl paint before stringing them together.
8. Fill Glass Apothecary Jars
My collection of glass apothecary jars finds new life in winter when I fill them with pinecones. I love creating different looks by mixing in white-tipped pinecones with natural ones. Sometimes I’ll add some fake snow at the bottom of the jar for a snowy forest effect. These make perfect bathroom or kitchen counter decorations.
9. Design a Coffee Table Arrangement
For my coffee table, I create a simple but elegant arrangement using a long, low vessel filled with pinecones. I often add some white pillar candles and perhaps a few silver ornaments or crystal pieces. The natural texture of the pinecones contrasts beautifully with the sleek surfaces of the other elements.
10. Make Pinecone Cabinet Pulls
Here’s a creative idea I discovered last winter: temporary pinecone cabinet pulls! I use removable adhesive hooks to hang small pinecones on my kitchen cabinet doors. It’s an unexpected touch that adds whimsy and charm to my kitchen during the winter months.
11. Create a Pinecone Basket Display
I love filling various sizes of baskets with pinecones and arranging them in groups. Sometimes I’ll place them near the fireplace, other times in empty corners of rooms. The key is to use baskets of different heights and shapes to create visual interest. I sometimes add white fairy lights to the largest basket for evening ambiance.
12. Design Window Box Arrangements
Just because it’s winter doesn’t mean window boxes have to be empty. I fill mine with pinecones, evergreen branches, and white-berried branches. The arrangement looks beautiful against the snow, and it lasts all winter long. Sometimes I’ll add battery-operated candles for evening charm.
13. Make Pinecone Napkin Rings
For winter entertaining, I create simple but elegant napkin rings using small pinecones. I attach them to simple twine rings using hot glue and sometimes add a sprig of artificial winter berries or a small piece of evergreen. They’re perfect for casual dinners or formal gatherings.
14. Create a Winter Terrarium
I’ve found that pinecones look fantastic in terrariums. I use a large glass container and create layers with moss, small pinecones, and tiny artificial evergreens. Sometimes I’ll add small ceramic winter animals or a dusting of artificial snow. It’s like having a miniature winter forest on your side table.
15. Design a Winter Welcome Station
In my entryway, I create a welcoming winter vignette using a variety of pinecones. I fill a large umbrella stand with longer pinecone garlands, place a bowl of scented pinecones on the entry table, and sometimes hang individual pinecones from hooks on the wall. It creates a cohesive winter theme that greets visitors with natural charm.
Tips for Working with Pinecones
Before using pinecones in your decor, I recommend following these simple steps:
- Clean them thoroughly by soaking in warm water with a bit of vinegar
- Let them dry completely to prevent mold
- Bake them at 200°F for about an hour to kill any insects
- Store extras in airtight containers for next winter
Caring for Your Winter Pinecone Decorations
To keep your pinecone decorations looking fresh throughout the winter season, I suggest:
- Dusting them regularly with a soft brush or compressed air
- Keeping them away from direct heat sources
- Storing them properly when the season ends
- Refreshing any painted or frosted pinecones as needed
Conclusion
Decorating with pinecones after Christmas is a wonderful way to extend the cozy feeling of winter in your home. These versatile natural elements can be transformed into sophisticated decor pieces that celebrate the season without feeling holiday-specific. Whether you prefer simple, natural arrangements or more elaborate decorated displays, pinecones offer endless possibilities for creating a warm and inviting winter atmosphere in your home.
Remember, the key to successful pinecone decorating is to keep things natural and balanced. Don’t feel like you need to use every pinecone in your collection at once. Sometimes, less is more, and a few well-placed pieces can make just as strong an impact as larger arrangements.
I hope these ideas inspire you to look at pinecones in a new light and help you create beautiful winter decorations that last long after the Christmas season has ended. Happy decorating!
If you love winter decorating as much as I do, check out these other articles I think you might like.
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