Hand-made gift wrappings add a personal touch to Christmas presents, making them extra special without being overly expensive. This tradition has been in my family for three generations. I discovered that adding these handmade decorations to my gift wrappings and tying them on gift baskets creates a unique and special look for every gift I give.
Required Materials
A handful of medium-small or small pinecones (see note for substitution options)
Glitter
Glue (Elmer’s or Mod Podge recommended)
A medium-small paintbrush you don’t mind getting glue on
Thin craft ribbon or string (optional)
Butcher paper on a flat surface or a workspace that can get a little messy
Directions
Once you’ve gathered all the necessary materials, here’s how to begin crafting your own Christmas decorations.
Prepare the Pinecones (Optional):
If desired, tie a piece of string to one end of each pinecone before starting. This makes it easier to dry the finished decorations by hanging them up. Alternatively, tie a loop of ribbon/string onto one end of the pinecone to use the finished decoration as a Christmas tree ornament.
Apply Glue:
Make sure the pinecones are relatively clean before starting. Gently dust off any dirt that might be stuck on them with a cloth or your hand. Brush a few drops of glue onto the ends of the pinecone scales. Try to move quickly so the glue doesn’t dry before applying the glitter.
Add Glitter:
Carefully dust glitter over the pinecone until the glue spots are coated evenly. To avoid wasting glitter, dust the pinecone over a piece of paper. Afterward, you can pick up the paper, hold it like a taco, and keep dusting the glitter from the paper onto more decorations.
Dry the Pinecones:
Let the pinecones rest and dry, or hang them up to dry to avoid bumping into anything.
Finish Your Decorations:
Once the pinecones have dried, give them a shake or tap them to remove loose glitter. These decorations can be tied onto a wrapped gift or the handle of a gift basket. You may add additional ribbon or a pre-made bow if desired.
Note on Substitutions
Pinecone Alternatives:
If you don’t have pinecones where you live or don’t want to buy any, you can substitute small dried bush branches such as desert sage bush or other dried foliage. Brush glue onto the ends of the branches so the glitter will attach to the ends, or coat the whole piece in glue and glitter.
Glitter Alternatives:
You could also substitute paint for glitter and glue or very small beads instead of glitter.
These simple, beautiful decorations will add a touch of handmade charm to your Christmas gifts, making each one a little more special and personalized.
Give Better Gifts 