While searching through the craft closet for something I came across some wicker plate holders. This reminded me of a craft I had made with the girls when they were young.
The wicker plates were used as the base of a candle centerpiece using pinecones, greenery and a candle. These make nice hostess gifts, teacher gifts, or last minute gifts for someone you may have left off your list. This isn’t an expensive craft, just the cost of the candle (around a $1 from those wonderful dollar stores) and the cost of the wicker plates.
The wicker plates were bought at the dollar store, probably 6 in a package. I’m not sure if they are still sold today but I bet there is something similar that could be used. They are actually for holding paper plates to make them sturdier when you are eating outside in the summer.
You just need your glue gun, some pinecones, a bit of greenery, and some little ornaments. I had run out of dry pinecones when I decided to make this craft so I had to find some that were outside in a basket but because of the cold they were all closed. I just laid them in front of the heat vent overnight to dry them out.
Place the candle in the center and arrange the pinecones on the plate.
Add the small ornaments and bits of greenery. I enjoy making these as the scent from the cedar and spruce brings a little bit of the outdoors inside. If you are allergic to having fresh greenery inside you can use some artificial bits. Once you are happy with your arrangement you can glue it all down. I don’t glue the greenery but just poke it in between the spaces of the cones. That way if it needs to be freshened up it can be easily removed and replaced. You can easily remove the greenery at the end of the season if you want to replace the candle and use it again another year.
I’m not a bows and frilly sort of person but you could add bows if you wanted to. In fact you are only limited by your own imagination as to what you can put in these arrangements. You can add a bit of burlap or ribbon around the candle before giving it as a gift but I would probably remove it when burning the candle.
Wrapped in cellophane with a bow and a cutting of greenery, this makes a lovely gift.
Have you seen some of my other Christmas ideas?
Pinecone Ideas:
- candle center piece
- decorating with pinecones and nuts
- Fall center piece
- pinecone feeder
- pinecone wreath
