When the holidays get closer, I start to feel the need to craft. Nostalgia for a homemade Christmas gets me fired up to start baking cookies and whip up a fragrant winter wreath. That’s usually about the time I realize I’m a terrible baker and I have no idea how to fashion evergreens into anything that wouldn’t be utterly embarrassing on the front door.

So when I find a craft that I can do – especially on the first attempt – I get pretty excited. Excited enough that we had to include the project in Essential Glow, my new book filled with wellness, beauty and home recipes and DIYs made with essential oils.

These dipped pinecones are so easy that I feel compelled to add, your kids can do it with you! Here’s how we made ours:

DIY Wax-Dipped Pinecone Firestarters

These festive firestarters do double duty because the wax is scented with cinnamon essential oil. They look lovely as a centerpiece and they smell amazing when used to start a cozy fire in the fireplace.

Supplies needed

• Soy wax flakes
• Crayons, optional
• Pinecones
• Cinnamon essential oil

Instructions

Step 1

Melt the wax and add 2-3 crayons if you want color. If you just want white, the soy wax flakes are all you need. If you want red, use more than 1 crayon to make it less pink. Add a dozen or so drops of cinnamon essential oil.

Step 2

Dip the pinecones and set them on wax paper to dry. Keep dipping and drying to create a thick layer of wax on the pinecones. As the melted wax cools and thickens it makes it easier to get a thicker coat of wax on the pinecones.

Step 3

After the pine cones dry, arrange in a basket or bowl. If you keep them around as decor instead of burning them, you can freshen the scent with a few drops of essential oil as needed.

Here are the red (okay, pink!) ones I did. What Christmas crafts are on your to-do list? You can find tons more easy essential oil recipes in Essential Glow!

Photos by Ana Stanciu

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