We’re saying goodbye to Halloween and, like us, you might be eager to swap out pumpkins and ghosts for Christmas trees and lights. If you’re one of us, we’ve got some unique, eco-friendly, and spiritual ideas to decorate your home this holiday season. But first, let’s learn a bit about those beautiful trees that provide many of our festive decorations.
Unlike other trees, pine, and fir trees (part of the Pinaceae family) keep their needles year-round. This is because their needle-like leaves have a thick, waxy coating that helps them retain water. That’s why most conifers stay green, no matter how cold it gets.
These trees produce pinecones, which are plentiful and free this time of year. So let’s use nature’s gifts and add our own personal touch.
Before you gather pinecones, ask nature and the tree for permission to take its fruits and share its love, light, and energy in your home. Then, choose the ones that resonate with you.
Here are two ideas to get you started:
Pine Cone Candle
- Materials: thin candle, pinecone, wooden sticks, hot glue, gold paint, rubber bands.
- Instructions: Clean the pinecone, let it dry, and create a flat base. Paint it gold. Attach the candle to the pinecone using wooden sticks and rubber bands, then secure with hot glue.
Centerpiece
- Materials: 5 pinecones, glass vase, LED lights, gold paint, brush.
- Instructions: Clean the pinecones and paint the tips gold. Place the pinecones in the vase, alternating with the LED lights.
Once you’re done, light up your centerpiece and enjoy the warm, festive glow.
References
Moore, A. (s. f.). How Trees Survive in Winter. College Of Natural Resources News. https://cnr.ncsu.edu/news/2024/02/how-trees-survive-in-winter/#:~:text=Conifer%20trees%2C%20such%20as%20pines,maintain%20their%20needles%20year%2Dround.
