How to Make a Neon Pine Cone Place Card Holder

For an added decorative touch at that next dinner party, create out-of-the-ordinary place cards from pine cones and neon paint. The contrast between the natural dark, woody bramble against the screaming neon paint will add a dash of style and whimsy to any gathering.

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Steps

Finding the Pine Cones

    1
    Gather pine cones from your yard or the park. Look for pine cones that can sit up on their own without props. Avoid using any that seem top heavy or too skinny.

        Test each pine cone by seeing if it can stand on its own and looks symmetrical.

Painting the Pine Cones

    1
    Brush off any debris from each pine cone. Inspect each cone for damage and discard any that don't meet your standards.

    2
    Cover a flat surface with newspaper to create a workspace. Find an area for the pine cones to dry. Cover the dry area with newspaper too.

    3
    Pour the paint into the paper bowl or plate. Grab a few heavy duty paper towels. Keep the paper towels on hand in case the paint drips or you need to remove excess paint from the brush.

        Excess paint can be removed from the brush by simply pressing the brush against the rim of the plate or bowl before moving the brush to the cone.
    4
    Dip the paintbrush into the paint. Gently apply paint to the tip of each of the pine cone wedges.

    5
    Transfer the painted pine cone to the dry area. Allow it to fully dry before adding the place card.

Making the Place Cards

    1
    Consider whether you want to hand write each guest’s name on the card or if you’d prefer to have them laser printed. The choice will impact the type of place card you use. Be sure to purchase enough cards for your party––spares always come in handy.

        Buy a special pen, perhaps even a calligraphy pen, if you plan to hand write each place card.
    2
    Create the place cards by either typing names and printing from your computer or by writing names on individual place cards by hand. Keep finished place cards in a safe area until ready to be joined with the pine cone.

Assembling and Placing Your Place Cards

    1
    Wedge one place card into the top of the dried pine cone. Each placement will not be perfect, so just look for natural spots in the cone that will hold the place card neatly on top of the pine cone.

    2
    Double check each pine cone to ensure it has fully dried before leaving it at the guest’s place. Finished.

 Tips

    Base your paint color on the dinner party theme. You may want pine cones with all the same color, or alternating colors (perhaps one color for the women and one color for the men).
    Match the neon-colored pine cone with simple white linens and plates; this will help the neon to really stand out.
    Connect a satin ribbon on the bottom with a bow and allow your guests to take them home to use as a tree decoration. That way they can look back on your party with fond memories for years to come.
    Add a bit of glue to the top of the pine cone in the event you are having trouble getting the place card to stay in place.
    Consider re-using the pine cones again in the future by storing them in a safe, cool area.

 Warnings

    Be sure to remove any sap from the pine cones before using. The sap can stain tablecloths, furniture and clothing if you're not careful.

Things You'll Need

    Pine cones
    Card stock place cards
    1-2 bottles of neon acrylic paint

    Paper plates or bowls for holding paint
    Small paintbrush
    Newspaper
    Paper
    Something to write with, such as a fancy marker (for back-up, purchase more than one of the same pen in case the ink runs out)
    Flat work surface