Create Your Own Rustic Christmas Ornaments with Wood Slices and Pinecones

If you’re looking for a unique and affordable way to add some rustic charm to your Christmas decor, consider making your own ornaments using wood slices and pinecones. This simple project is easy to do, even for beginners, and the results are simply stunning.

Rustic Christmas Ornaments

Wood slices and pinecones are natural materials that have a rustic and charming appeal. They are perfect for adding a touch of warmth and character to your Christmas decorations.

Plus it’s fun to collect pinecones and a great way to connect with nature and enjoy the outdoors. I’m lucky enough to only have to walk out our back door into the woods to find them.

This project is not only easy it’s super budget friendly!

Materials For This Project

Pinecone Flower Ornaments: Step-by-Step

This is a fairly simple DIY Christmas ornament to make this holiday season. Perfect for giving your tree a woodland look.

The first thing you will need to do is grab a package of 3″ wood slices made for ornaments. I found them at the Dollar Tree (pack of 3 for $1.25) but you can find larger packs online at Amazon. Both options do come with jute string for hanging the ornaments.

Remove Pinecone Scales

To make the flower on the ornaments I will be using scales from a pinecone. If you are using Eastern white pine cones like I am then cut the pinecone in half to make it easier to pull off the scales. This type of pinecone is fairly weak and easy to pull apart.

For other pinecone varieties try pulling the scales off first and if that it giving you a hard time try garden shears to break the cone top off giving you easier access to the scales.

Add The Jute Hanger

After making my first ornament, I would recommend stringing the jute through the ornaments first before you start gluing the pinecone scales to the wood slice.

The pinecone scales obstruct the drilled hole and make it harder to get the jute through.

Glue The Pinecone Scales To Wood Slices

Using a hot glue gun start to adhere the pinecone scales in a circle with the ends of the scales meeting in the center of the wood slice. Be careful not to burn your fingers, I would suggest using a silicone finger protector whenever you are working with hot glue.

It will depend on the size of your scales how many you can use to make the flower, I could fit 6 but for larger pinecone scales you may only be able to fit 5.

After the first layer of pinecone scales is glued onto the wood slice, start a second layer of “petals”. This will create a 3D effect.

For the second layer of scales, I offset them between the bottom layer of scales.

To make the center of the flower, cut one of the scales in half.

Then hot glue it to the center of the pinecone flower. This not only makes it look complete it also covers up any hot glue remnants from adding the scales.

Finished Pinecone Flower Ornaments

Aren’t the pinecone flower ornaments adorable? They were also easy and quick to make.

Star Anise Ornament

If you are looking for another simple natural ornament to add to your tree then these star anise wood slice ornaments are super simple!! It takes about 30 seconds to make each one.

For this ornament use a smaller 2″ wood slice for the base. You will also need a package of star anise, I found mine at the grocery store in the spice aisle for $2 but there are also larger packages on Amazon at affordable prices.

Finished Pinecone Flower & Star Anise Ornaments

By following this simple wood slice ornament tutorial, you can create a variety of unique and rustic ornaments to decorate your home this Christmas.

If you prefer a more festive look, you can paint the wood slices red, green, or gold. You can also add glitter, ribbons, or other embellishments to your ornaments.

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Pinecone Projects To Try

Pinecones are the perfect symbol for winter and the holidays! Below are other pinecone-centric ideas and projects to try including these unique firestarters.

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Popular Pinecone Project

My most popular winter project is this easy-to-make pinecone door swag. All you need is 7 pinecones and a roll or ribbon.

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