Pinecone Place Card Holders: Easy DIY

Pinecone place card holders are the easiest way to make your Thanksgiving table look like you planned it for weeks, when you really started this afternoon. They cost almost nothing, they take about 20 minutes, and they double as a little favor your guests can take home. Here’s how to make them, plus a few ways to dress them up.

Why Make Pinecone Place Card Holders?

You could buy fancy place cards. You could also skip them and let your relatives fight over seats. A pinecone holder is a better middle ground, for a few reasons:

It’s nearly free. Pinecones are everywhere in fall, and the rest is craft drawer stuff.
It looks rustic without trying. The natural texture fits a cozy fall table.
It’s easy. No special skills, and a glue gun does most of the work.
Guests can keep it. It’s decor and a favor in one.

What You’ll Need

Everything here is cheap and easy to find.

Pinecones: One per guest, in a medium size. Pick ones with a flat bottom so they sit upright.
Cardstock: White, cream, or kraft, cut to about 2 by 3 inches.
Pen or marker: For names. Metallic ink looks nice on kraft paper.
Hot glue gun: Optional, but handy.
Jute twine or ribbon: For a bow.
Extras: Mini acorns, dried leaves, a dab of gold paint, or felt scraps.
Wood slices (optional): A base for pinecones that wobble.

How to Make Pinecone Place Card Holders

This takes about 20 minutes for a table of six, plus a little drying time.

Step 1: Clean and prep the pinecones. Brush off dirt and shake out any bugs. If you want closed pinecones to open up and be bug free, bake them on a foil lined tray at a low heat, around 200 degrees, for 20 to 30 minutes. Keep an eye on them and let them cool before you touch them.

Step 2: Check that each one stands up. Set every pinecone on the table. If one tips over, glue it to a small wood slice or press it into a bit of dried clay, or just pick a different pinecone.

Step 3: Make the cards. Cut your cardstock into 2 by 3 inch rectangles. Write each guest’s name in the middle, and keep the lettering big and simple.

Step 4: Attach the card. Slide the bottom edge of the card between two scales near the top of the pinecone. If it won’t stay, add a tiny dot of hot glue behind it.

Step 5: Decorate. Tie a small bow of twine around the base. Glue on a mini acorn or a leaf, or brush a little gold paint over the tips of the scales for a frosted look.

Step 6: Let the glue set, then do a stand test. Give each one a gentle nudge. If it wobbles, add a bit more glue to the base.

Pinecone Place Card Ideas for Every Table

Once you’ve made one, try these variations.

Turkey pinecones: Glue fall colored felt feathers to the back, add a small orange felt beak, and give it two googly eyes. Kids love these.
Kids’ table version: Let each child decorate their own pinecone and write their own name. It keeps them busy while you finish cooking.
Elegant version: Use cream cardstock, gold paint on the scale tips, and a thin velvet ribbon.
Natural version: Skip the paint and add a sprig of greenery or a dried orange slice.

Where to Put Them

At each plate: The classic spot, with a card facing the seat.
Down the center of the table: Add extra pinecones, candles, and mini pumpkins for a runner.
On a buffet: Use bigger pinecones as food labels.
In a basket by the door: Hand them out at the end as party favors. If you’d like more ideas, see our list of Thanksgiving party favors.

Quick Questions

Can I make these ahead of time?
Yes. Make them up to a week early and store them in a box. Add the name cards the day before.

What if my pinecones keep closing up?
Pinecones close when they get damp. Bake them as in Step 1, and keep them in a dry spot.

Can kids help?
Yes. Kids can write the cards and decorate. An adult should handle the hot glue.

Do I have to use a glue gun?
No. Tacky craft glue works, but it takes longer to dry.

How many do I need?
One per guest, plus a couple of extras in case a glue job goes wrong.

Wrapping Up

Pinecone place card holders are quick, cheap, and a little bit charming. Make a few, set the table, and take the rest of the day off. If you want more fall crafts for the house, try these fall banner ideas or our pinecone twig bunny