DIY Christmas Decorations: Pine Cones and Walnuts

We are all about creative and simple ways to make the Christmas holiday not only a thing of beauty but also a work of art. Keeping with that objective, today we're taking a couple of unsuspecting items you can find anywhere, and transforming them for old fashioned Christmas ornaments.

Painted Pine Cones

The lowly pine cone completely renewed! And, you can do a number of things with them . . . use as a centerpiece, paint them and put them in a metal bucket with some white lights for the porch. Adorn your Christmas tree branches, or fill a vintage bowl with them and place them in any room of the house. So versatile, so inexpensive, and so simple.

So, the next time your walking trail takes you near pine trees, grab a few pine cones for this decorating project. You could bring a reusable shopping bag - just in case. It's a fun idea for your children to gather pine cones, too.

Mini Pine Cone Tree Decorations

Here's another idea for pine cones.

They are the perfect shape for this, and you can get really creative, making it look like a miniature snowy tree!

Using a mini clay pot and a bit of moss, you can have a handmade touch of Christmas in every room. This would make a fun craft for the kids when they are out of school for the holiday, and they fit perfectly into our old-fashioned Christmas theme.

Painted Walnut Ornaments

Another common item most people will have around for the holidays are walnuts. Besides being yummy and very healthy brain food, they can also double as a variety of decorations at Christmas. Take, for example, this gold painted ornament with a red bow. Simple and old fashioned, isn't it?

Hang them on the tree, use as a package decoration, or paint them gold, silver and red and gather in a bowl.

Or, how about this wreath made from walnuts? Very earthy and natural. Just grab a grape vine wreath at the craft store, get your glue gun out and voila! You could add some red berries, even some colored lights!

This proves once again that we don't have to spend a lot of money to have a beautifully decorated home for Christmas.