In this quick paper craft tutorial, we show how to create DIY paper pinecone ornaments that you can use to decorate your Christmas tree or for packaging gifts. The ornaments are made by applying small paper squares or circles on polystyrene eggs.
You can choose any size of egg shape and use a wide variety of papers for the scales, such as cardstock, scrapbook paper, glitter paper, or gift wrap. We also demonstrate how to make pine needles form crepe paper to decorate the ornaments.
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DIY Paper Pinecone Instructions
Create DIY paper pinecone ornaments that you can use to decorate your Christmas tree or for packaging gifts. The ornaments are made by applying small paper squares or circles on polystyrene eggs. You can choose any size of egg shape and use a wide variety of papers for the scales, such as cardstock, scrapbook paper, glitter paper, or gift wrap. We created round, and square scales to cover the polystyrene eggs and used different shades and types of cardstock. You can also opt for scrapbooking paper, gift wrap, or thin fabric.
Materials
- polystyrene eggs
- light and dark brown 130 g / 80-90 lb cardstock
- gold and brown glitter paper
- light and dark green crepe paper
- brown floral tape
- premade bows (optional)
- glue sticks
Tools
- pencil
- ruler
- 2 cm (in) hole puncher
- craft scissors
- low-temperature hot glue gun
Instructions
- Cut the paper. Using a pencil and ruler, measure and mark 1.5 cm x 1.5. cm or 2 cm x 2 cm (0.6 in x 0.6 in or 0.8 in x 0.8 in) squares on the cardstock or paper. Cut the paper into strips and then into individual squares.
Tip: We found that the number of paper squares to make 1 pinecone ornament varies depending on the size of the egg and how closely you attach the squares. We used 50 – 80 squares for smaller pinecones, 100 – 140 for larger ones. - Attach the scales. Add a small dot of hot glue to one of the squares and attach the square to the narrow end of the polystyrene egg. Apply a thin line of hot glue next to the square and stick on more squares, overlapping the bottom square and pointing towards the centre. Going in rows around the egg, continue applying lines of glue and paper squares. Place each row in between the previous layer and let the paper overlap create a scale-like texture. We recommend working in small sections, so the glue doesn’t harden on you. Once you reach the wide end of the egg, use paper squares to cover the egg until no polystyrene is visible. Be careful when handling the hot glue, so you don’t burn your skin.
Tip: While this craft works with regular hot glue guns, we recommend using a low-temp hot glue gun as the hot glue can melt and sink into the polystyrene. - Variation: Round Scales. Instead of creating squares scales, use a round, 1.5 cm (0.6 in) hole puncher to punch out paper circles. Apply the circles to the polystyrene egg as described in the previous step.
- Make the pine needles. Cut a 25 cm x 10 cm (10 in x 4 in) piece of crepe paper and cut 0.5 cm (0.2 in) fringes along the wide side, leaving 2 cm (0.8 in) at the bottom. Roll and twist each paper fringe between your thumb and index finger to create a needle. Then roll the bottom of the crepe paper strip into a tight bundle and secure with brown floral tape.
- Finish the paper pinecone ornaments. Apply a dot of hot glue to the wide end of the paper pine cone and attach a bundle of pine needles and bow. You can also glue on a longer piece of ribbon for hanging the ornament.
