Customize Christmas Stockings in Minutes with Pinecones! (Easy DIY)
Hey friends, I wanted to update my boring Christmas stockings this year. Since I’m going for a rustic pinecone theme, I decided to show you how easy it is to customize Christmas stockings by adding some beautiful bleached pinecones. This easy DIY is eco-friendly and budget-conscious, making it a perfect farmhouse-style project. So gather some pinecones and let’s get started!
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Supply List
- Bleached Pinecones – see tutorial
- Any plain Christmas Stockings
- Cedar or Pine Greenery Clippings
- Eye Hooks
- Narrow Brown Velvet Ribbon
- Wide Brown Double Faced Velvet Ribbon
- Gold Metallic Twine
- Optional – Recycled Pastic Grocery Bags To stuff stockings.
- Metal Stocking Hooks
- Cable Knit Christmas Stockings
- Optional – Cedar Greenery Stems
- Optional – Pinecones
Pinecones or Bleached Pinecones
When I decided to add pinecones to enhance my plain Christmas stockings, I originally planned to gather some plain cones for the project. However, I was so impressed with my first batch of bleached pinecones that I decided to gather more and bleach them to add to my stockings. I gathered some smaller cones for this project and used this Bleached Pinecone Tutorial. Note: Allow approximately a week for bleaching and drying; otherwise, this is a quick and easy update.
If you plan to use unbleached foraged cones, you should still take these Foraging Safety Precautions before bringing the cones inside your home.
Prepare Pinecones For Stockings
First, prepare your pinecones so that you can hang them on the stockings. I used two pinecones for each stocking.
- Add an eye hook to the top of each cone. Just screw the hook into the top. You may need to use needle-nose pliers to get it tight.
- Use a lightweight twine or string to make a hanger.
- Run a ribbon through the eye hook and tie a bow at the top of each pinecone.
Stuff Stockings
If you haven’t purchased your stocking stuffers, you may want to add some stuffing to the stockings to make them look fuller. I used some recycled plastic bags to stuff the Christmas stockings lightly.
Add Greenery, Pinecones, and Ribbon
Now it’s time to enhance the stockings with these simple steps.
- I decided to add sprigs of fresh cedar greenery along with the two pinecones. I tied a couple of sprigs together with some gold twine and added a hanger to slip over the stocking hanger.
- Then I slipped one of the pinecone hangers over the stocking hanger and arranged it over the greenery at the top of the stocking.
Add A Decorative Ribbon Bow
Next, tie a larger bow around the hanger, leaving long tails.
Position the other pinecone approximately where you want it to hang and run the longest tail through the hanger. Loop it twice to hold in place. This will allow the cones to hang at different levels on the stockings.
Hang Pinecone Enhanced Christmas Stockings
I am hanging my pinecone-enhanced Christmas stockings on my staircase using simple metal stocking hooks. Loop the stocking hanger over the metal hook and position the pinecones on the stocking for a desirable display.
Insider Tip
I didn’t want to permanently attach the greenery and pinecones to the stockings so all the enchancements are free floating. Therefore, once you have your stockings hung, you may need to adjust the position of the cones to your liking.
If you prefer, you can attach them with hot glue for a more secure arrangement. However, I would only use faux greenery for this method so that the stockings can be used again next year.
Adding pinecones is a quick, easy, and free way to update plain stockings. With just a little ribbon, these free materials will enhance your Christmas display, whether it’s on a mantel, staircase, or pegboard.
At the top of each metal stocking hook, I’ve added a reindeer to the step tread. They are one of my Dollar Tree Projects from a couple of years ago. You can see How To Create Amazing Reindeer With Dollar Tree Supplies, for more details.
I also tucked sprigs of cedar greenery around each of the reindeer to help hide the metal stocking hooks.
I’m loving the warm and cozy feel of these enhanced stockings, and they only took minutes to assemble. What do you think?
Resources: Shop This Post
Pinterest Challenge
Today’s post is part of our monthly Pinterest Challenge hosted by Cindy at County Road 407. If you are joining me from Libbie at A Life Unfolding, I know you enjoyed her Christmas stocking ideas. Be sure to follow along for more inspiration. Up next is Barbara at French Ethereal.
Your stockings with the bleached pinecones and ribbon turned out so pretty Rachel!
Cindy,
Thank you, I’m so glad you like them.
LOVE! Love! love! your pinecones and ribbon embellishment — and eve happier that you stuffed your stockings! I’ve bee preaching that for years and it still amazes me that people skip right over that.
Diane,
I’m so glad you liked this update. Yes! No more floppy stockings. LOL
* * * Dear Rachel * * *
You’re the Best. Love your beautiful pinecone holiday farmhouse presentation. You’re so artistic 🙂
And your furbaby is gorgeous. I have adopted from a nearby shelter three lovebugs also. They’re older, and range in weight from 55 lbs. to 140 lbs. Love all of them dearly. * * * * * * * Always looking forward to you sharing your magnificent presentations with us. A+++.
Hugs, Kathleen Madison O’Neil & Furbabies 🙂
Kathleen,
I’m so glad you like the pinecone stockings. Sounds like you have a house full of love. Have a blessed day.
Rachel, your stockings are beautiful! Love the bleached pinecone tutorial. I pinned this for later. Have a great rest of your week!
Libbie,
So glad you found this helpful. Have a blessed week.
Rachel, your updated stockings are beautiful!!! I love natural elements and often bring in leaves, acorns, and I have had a super large basket of pinecones for 30 years or more which I’ve found all over the US, beginning as a 20-something on trips to Lake Tahoe. They are just sooo interesting to me! (I even found a few at The Biltmore near the parking lot… They were freshly fallen and tight, not open, so no bugs in the suitcase – 2017). Well done! Pinned a bunch!!! 🙂
Happy decorating and Happy Thanksgiving,
Barb 🙂
Barbara,
Thank you for your kind words. Yes, I’ve gathered pinecones from all over myself. LOL
I’ve never put eyehooks in pinecones; love that tip, Rachel! Your stairway is cozy and cute; love how it all turned out.
Lora,
I’ve used hot glue on ribbon and other techniques to hang pinecones, but this is so clean and easy. Plus, you can change out the ribbons without damaging the cones.
I’ve always enjoyed how you decorate your stairs. And this year, with the bleached pinecones and fresh greenery, it’s even more stunning and full of inspiration. Love it! pinned
Cindy,
I’m so glad you liked this idea. I’m obsessed with the bleached pinecones. Thank you!
Rachel your pinecone enhanced stocking are just gorgeous! I need to add a little something special to the Misters stocking to spruce it up and need to steal your idea! Thanks for the inspiration!
Michelle,
I’m so glad you like this idea. I’m obsessed with pinecones this year and especially bleached ones.
Oh my word, I’m in love, Rachel! I love this rustic meets refined vibe. It’s just gorgeous. Plus, your tips are always so helpful too. Can’t wait to share this on From the Front porch. It’s amazing! Hugs, CoCo
CoCo,
Thank you so much for sharing. You are so kind.