When I moved out of my parents’ house, I got a box. A box full of all the Christmas tree ornaments I’d accumulated during my growing-up years.
They came from here & there, but every year without fail, I’d get one from my grandma. Grandma’s ornaments were always dated so I’d know exactly what year I received them.
And even when they didn’t have the year imprinted on them in the factory, grandma made sure I’d remember what year it belonged to.
Now, with 36 years of Christmas memories to hang on my tree, it’s so fun to pull out that box and decorate with my family and see the familiar ornaments come out year after year after year.
When my kids grow up and move out, I want to give them their own box of memories. And when I looked at a giant box of decorative pinecones I’d bought for the season I had a grand idea – I’d make some for them myself!
This pine cone craft is super simple AND super cheap. They come together in about 5 minutes, and at less than $2 an ornament, you can make one for EVERYONE – kids, siblings, nieces & nephews, even coworkers. And even though one version requires some special tools, don’t worry – I’ve got an alternative version that requires NO special equipment.
DIY Personalized Pine Cone Christmas Ornaments
I got all of my supplies at Hobby Lobby for 50% off except the hooks, which I got at Home Depot. Averaging out the cost of all my supplies these were between $1.35-$1.85 apiece (depending on whether I used a fancier jeweled initial charm or not).
Using a small drill bit, drill a quarter-inch-deep starter hole in the base of each pine cone. Screw in the hook.
Stamp your charm with the year.
{This is a new craft to me so I didn’t want to invest in all the “extras” I might never use again so I just bought a set of stamps for around $7 and used a regular hammer and my husband’s indestructible bench vice in lieu of a steel block.}
Don’t have supplies for stamping metal and don’t want to buy the supplies? No worries – here’s your frugal option. Use large sequins and write the year on them in sharpie. You get like a bajillion of them for $2! {Maybe use something other than a green sharpie for aesthetic purposes. Ahem.}
Tie the letter charm and the year charm onto the hook.
Thread your ribbon through.
You’re done! If you’re super crafty and talented, dress these up with a cute bow at the top to make them a little fancier. Since the best bow I can personally manage comes from tying my shoelaces I just stuck with a knot.
Happy crafting, and Merry Christmas!
