DIY Christmas Decorations

How do you make pine cone Christmas trees?

These are small table decorations made from foraged pine cones mounted on wooden dowel bases, with a painted star on top. The whole build is clean and dry the cones, paint the tips, cut and sand dowel bases, then glue everything together with Selleys Aquadhere Quick Set — a non-toxic PVA that, according to this guide, will typically set in 10 to 20 minutes.

The one step people rush is drying the cones. A pine cone that has been rinsed holds water in every scale, and it also closes up when wet and opens again as it dries — so a cone glued while damp will move as it dries and break the joint.

What you need

• Selleys Aquadhere Quick Set
• Pine cones
• 25 mm wood dowel
• Wooden stars
• Hand saw
• Fine grit sandpaper
• Green spray paint and gold paint
• Glitter (optional)
• A brush and a cloth

How to make them

1. Forage for pine cones. If you cannot find any nearby, craft stores sell them.
2. Clean them. Brush any dirt or debris off. You can rinse them in water if they need it — then leave them to dry completely.
3. Paint. Paint the tips of the pine cones in the colour of your choice, and the wooden stars in gold. Add glitter if you want the sparkle.
4. Cut the bases. Using a hand saw, cut the wood dowel into lengths of approximately 3–6 cm. Sand away any rough edges with fine grit sandpaper and wipe clean with a cloth.
5. Glue the cone to the base. Apply Aquadhere Quick Set to the bottom of the pine cone and attach it to the middle of the piece of dowel. The adhesive will typically set in 10–20 minutes.
6. Add the star. Apply Aquadhere Quick Set to the bottom of the star and attach it to the top of the pine cone.

Why this glue, and what to know about it

Aquadhere Quick Set is a fast-setting PVA wood glue suited to softwoods, hardwood, MDF and particleboard — all of which describes the dowel and the wooden star. It is water-based, so it cleans up with water while wet, and it dries clear, which matters when you are gluing a painted star to a painted cone.

Wiping any squeeze-out with a damp cloth before it dries is worth doing here specifically because of the paint. Dried PVA on a painted surface leaves a shiny patch that is very hard to remove without taking the paint with it.

Its limitations: Aquadhere Quick Set is not for exterior use, not structural, not water resistant, and it will not bond some plastics or coated surfaces. Two of those bear directly on this project. These decorations are indoor pieces — a pine cone tree on an outdoor table in the rain will come apart. And if you paint the dowel and the cone before gluing, you are asking a PVA to bond to a coated surface rather than to bare timber. The instructions have you paint the tips of the cone and the star, leaving the contact faces bare, and that is the order to keep.

For anything that has to live outside, Aquadhere Exterior is the weatherproof PVA — it clamps for 30 minutes on softwoods and reaches maximum strength in 24 hours.

Common questions about pine cone Christmas trees

How long does the glue take to set?

This guide gives a typical set of 10–20 minutes for Aquadhere Quick Set. Let each joint set before you handle the piece.

Do I have to wash the pine cones?

Only if they need it. Brushing off dirt and debris is usually enough. If you do rinse them, let them dry completely before gluing.

Why does drying the cones matter so much?

Pine cones close when wet and open as they dry. A cone glued while damp keeps moving after the joint has set, and a PVA cannot bond reliably to a wet surface.

How long should the dowel bases be?

Approximately 3–6 cm from 25 mm dowel, sanded smooth and wiped clean.

Should I paint before or after gluing?

Paint the tips of the cone and the star first, leaving the contact faces bare. Aquadhere Quick Set will not bond to some coated surfaces, so the glue needs bare timber and bare cone.

Can I put these outside?

No. Aquadhere Quick Set is not for exterior use and is not water resistant. These are indoor decorations.

What glue do I use if I want an outdoor version?

Aquadhere Exterior, which is weatherproof. Clamp for 30 minutes on softwoods, and do not stress the joint for 24 hours.

Is the glue safe around children?

This guide describes Aquadhere Quick Set as a non-toxic PVA. As with any craft material, adults should read the label and supervise.

How do I clean up excess glue?

Wipe it with a damp cloth while it is still wet. Once cured, PVA has to be sanded or scraped, which will damage the paint underneath.

Can I use glitter?

Yes — add it to the gold paint on the stars while it is wet.

What if my star will not sit flat on the cone?

Trim the top scales of the cone flat with the hand saw or snips to give the glue a bearing surface. PVA needs contact between close-fitting faces; it is not a gap filler.

What else can I make with this glue?

See DIY Christmas ornaments and the rest of the repairs and craft guides.