I don’t know about you, but there is one thing about this time of year that I love.
One thing that, as the second I walk into a store and smell them, I can’t help but smile cause I know Christmas is on its merry way. . . . Cinnamon pine cones.
I’m a serious lover of all things cinnamon, especially these bad boys. In fact, come for a visit and you’ll likely find some tucked into a basket all year long, not just during the holidays.
But let’s face it, it seems like every year the price goes up. And for something I can gather up in the yard.
Which brings us to this post, DIY-ing scented pine cones.
The best part of this, other than the fact that it’s a lot cheaper, is that if you’re not like me and aren’t too crazy about cinnamon-y scents then you can customize them with any fragrance of your choice. You could have lavender pine cones. Or peppermint. Or how about Elf Sweat?
Supplies Needed:
Pine cones
Essential or Fragrance Oil (just a few drops)
Plastic Bags
Oven
Cookie Sheet
Aluminum Foil
Once, you’ve gathered up all the pine cones you want, it’s a good idea to sanitize them to get rid of any creepy crawlies that might be present.
Simply place on a foil lined cookie sheet and bake in a 200F degree preheated oven for at least 30 minutes or until they’re fully opened. During this time, keep a close eye on the baking pine cones in case of smoke or fire.
Luckily, neither of those have ever happened with mine.
Next comes the fun part. After the pine cones have cooled down, place in a plastic bag, add a few drops of the essential oil or fragrance of your choice, seal the bag, and shake to disperse the oil evenly.
Because of my soap making obsession, I have bookoodles of fragrances and essential oils to pick from. One of our most popular fragrances in soaps is Apple Jack Peel (you can purchase AJP from the same supplier I use, here), which is described as an apple scent with notes of cinnamon and cloves. I had just a little bit left in the bottle after making the last batch of Apple Jack Peel soap (currently listed in our Etsy shop), so I used that.
Just to be safe (and cause pine cones can be pretty prickly), I double bagged mine.
Allow the pine cones to remain in the sealed bag for at least 48 hours or longer. Even up to a couple of weeks if you have the patience to wait that long. . . . I didn’t.
Put them in a pretty basket or bowl and enjoy their wonderful scent!
Some of mine are in the cute rooster basket I found at a thrift store a while back.
