Rosalynn Carter Christmas: 15 Peanut, Pine Cone and Eggshell Ornaments That Look Like Heirlooms for Pennies
A Rosalynn Carter Christmas proves you can dress the most famous tree in America with things most people throw away. For Christmas 1977, the first lady trimmed the White House tree with ornaments made from pine cones, peanuts and eggshells. The list for that tree also included painted milkweed pods, nut pods and foil ornaments. It was humble, natural and full of charm, and it still feels fresh today. Every idea below starts with a free or nearly free material: a walk in the yard, a bag of peanuts, a carton of eggs or a bowl of oranges. You do not need fancy tools or much time. Pour a cup of coffee, gather a basket of nature finds and swipe through all fifteen ideas. Each one has a short supply list and three easy steps, so you can start tonight..
Rosalynn Carter Christmas Starts With Painted Eggshell Baubles
Wait until you see how pretty a plain eggshell can look on a tree. A Rosalynn Carter Christmas tree used eggshell ornaments, and blown eggs painted in soft red, cream and sage green look like delicate heirloom glass. You can read more about her life and that 1977 tree in this Rosalynn Carter biography. Tiny folk art dots in gold paint make each one special. If you love first lady holiday style, see this Jackie Kennedy holiday tree too. Save your eggshells from now on..
You will need: 6 to 8 raw eggs, a large needle, a small bowl, mild soap, acrylic craft paint, a fine brush, gold paint pen, thin ribbon, tacky glue.
How to make it: 1. Make a tiny opening at each end of an egg with the needle and gently blow the inside into a bowl, then rinse the shell with soapy water and let it dry. 2. Paint a base coat, let it dry, then add dots and small leaves. 3. Glue a ribbon loop to the top opening and hang.
Peanut Shell Garland on Twine
Peanuts were one of the stars of the 1977 White House tree, and a simple garland is the easiest way to bring that idea home. Peanuts in the shell have a warm tan color that looks lovely against dark green branches. Strung on natural twine, they give a tree a cozy country look for the price of one snack bag. Pair them with other twine decor ideas for a rustic theme. Keep this garland away from anyone with a peanut allergy.
You will need: a bag of peanuts in the shell, natural jute twine, a large blunt needle, scissors.
How to make it: 1. Thread the needle with a long piece of twine and knot one end. 2. Push the needle gently through the middle of each peanut, spacing them about 1 inch apart. 3. Knot the other end and drape the garland loosely around the tree.
Rosalynn Carter Christmas Peanut Angels
Turn a single peanut into a tiny angel and you have an ornament with real personality. This sweet project grows straight out of the Rosalynn Carter Christmas idea of using humble peanuts on the tree. White felt wings and a gold thread halo are all it takes. Kids can help cut the wings, and everyone can make a little choir in one evening. Add them to your box of easy handmade ornaments and tuck a few into holiday cards.
You will need: peanuts in the shell, white felt, gold metallic thread, tacky glue, scissors, a wing template.
How to make it: 1. Cut a small pair of wings from white felt. 2. Glue the wings to the back of the peanut and let them dry. 3. Twist gold thread into a small ring, glue it to the top for a halo and add a thread loop for hanging.
Gold Tipped Pine Cone Clusters
Pine cones were on the 1977 tree too, and a touch of gold paint makes them look like something from a fancy shop. Tie three small cones together with a velvet bow and hang the cluster near the front of the tree where it catches the light. Gather cones on a walk, then clean them before you paint. For dozens more ideas, see these pine cone crafts. Bake the cones with adult help to dry them out.
You will need: small pine cones, gold acrylic paint, a sponge brush, red velvet ribbon, hot glue (adult help), a baking sheet.
How to make it: 1. Bake cones at 200 degrees F for 30 minutes to clean them, with adult help. 2. Dab the tips with gold paint and let them dry. 3. Hot glue three cones together at the stems and tie a velvet bow with a hanging loop.
Rosalynn Carter Christmas Painted Milkweed Pods
Painted milkweed pods were listed on the 1977 tree, and they may be the most unusual ornament in this gallery. The dried pods have a graceful boat shape that looks elegant in soft white, pale gold or red. Collect them in late fall after the seeds have blown away. A Rosalynn Carter Christmas tree mixed these with other natural finds, much like the thrifty spirit of a Mamie Eisenhower Christmas. Hang them in pairs for balance.
You will need: dried empty milkweed pods, acrylic paint in white, gold and red, a small brush, thin ribbon, tacky glue.
How to make it: 1. Remove any leftover fluff and let the pods dry fully. 2. Paint the outside one color and the inside a contrast color. 3. Glue a ribbon loop to the stem end and hang.
Walnut Shell Bird Nests
Nut pods were part of the 1977 decorations, and walnut shell halves make perfect little bird nests. Line each one with soft green moss and add three tiny clay eggs. They are small, so they tuck deep into the branches like little surprises. These fit right in with other woodland decor ideas. Buy walnuts already split in half to save time and skip the tools.
You will need: walnut shell halves, preserved green moss, white air dry clay, a brown paint pen, twine, tacky glue.
How to make it: 1. Roll tiny egg shapes from clay, let them dry and add small speckles with the paint pen. 2. Glue moss inside each shell, then glue in three eggs. 3. Glue a twine loop to the back and let it dry overnight.
Foil Wrapped Acorn Ornaments
Foil ornaments were on the 1977 list, and wrapping acorn caps in shiny foil is a fun way to add sparkle without buying anything new. Gold and silver foil from candy wrappers or a kitchen roll catches the light beautifully. The little acorns look like jewelry hanging in the branches. If you like working with foil, try this foil embossed art next. Bake real acorns first to keep bugs out.
You will need: acorns with caps, gold and silver craft foil, tacky glue, thin red thread, a small brush.
How to make it: 1. Bake acorns at 175 degrees F for 1 hour, with adult help. 2. Brush glue on each cap and press foil over it, smoothing it with your finger. 3. Glue a red thread loop to the top of the cap.
Rosalynn Carter Christmas Eggshell Mosaic Stars
Here is a clever way to use the shells left over from breakfast. Tiny pieces of eggshell glued onto a cardboard star create a mosaic that looks like old pottery. It is a creative twist on the Rosalynn Carter Christmas idea of eggshell ornaments, and it uses shells that would go in the trash. For more egg themed fun, see these egg carton crafts. Tint some shells pale blue with food coloring for variety.
You will need: clean dry eggshells, a cardboard star template, scissors, white glue, food coloring, a toothpick, twine.
How to make it: 1. Cut stars from cardboard and paint them white. 2. Break shells into small pieces, tint some in food coloring water and let them dry. 3. Glue the pieces on one by one with a toothpick, seal with a thin coat of glue and add twine.
Seed Pod Snowflakes
Seed pods, pine cone scales and star anise can be arranged into snowflakes that look carved from wood. Paint them white and they read as snowy and delicate, perfect for a natural tree. Every one turns out different, just like real snowflakes. Hang them beside paper versions from these paper snowflake ideas for a full winter look. Lay out your design before you glue.
You will need: small seed pods, pine cone scales, star anise, a cardboard circle, hot glue (adult help), white spray paint, thread.
How to make it: 1. Arrange the pieces in a star pattern around a small cardboard circle. 2. Hot glue them in place, with adult help. 3. Spray paint white outdoors, let it dry and add a thread loop.
Dried Orange Slice Ornaments
Dried orange slices glow like stained glass when sunlight hits them, and they fit the natural theme perfectly. They cost only a few oranges and a slow afternoon in the oven. Tie them with red and white baker’s twine and hang them near a window. Get every tip for perfect slices in this guide to dried orange slices. Ask an adult to handle the oven.
You will need: 3 navel oranges, a sharp knife, paper towels, a baking sheet with parchment, baker’s twine, a skewer.
How to make it: 1. Slice oranges 1/4 inch thick and blot them dry. 2. Bake at 200 degrees F for 3 to 4 hours, turning every hour. 3. Poke a small opening near the edge with a skewer and add twine.
Rosalynn Carter Christmas Clove Studded Orange Pomanders
Clove pomanders are an old fashioned tradition that fills the house with a warm holiday scent. Press dried cloves into an orange in spirals or rows, tie on a plaid ribbon and pile them in a bowl. They match the homemade spirit of a Rosalynn Carter Christmas tree and make a lovely gift. Pomanders have long been part of the Colonial Williamsburg Christmas look too. Use a toothpick to start each opening.
You will need: firm oranges, dried cloves, a toothpick, plaid ribbon, a wooden bowl, cinnamon sticks.
How to make it: 1. Poke small openings with a toothpick in a spiral pattern. 2. Press a clove into each opening. 3. Tie a ribbon around the orange and let it dry in a warm spot for two weeks.
Birch Bark Mini Stars
White birch bark has natural texture that looks stunning in a star shape. Five short strips tied at the points make a sturdy ornament that never breaks. Use bark from fallen branches, never from a living tree. These rustic stars look great next to wood slice crafts. Craft stores also sell birch bark sheets if you have no trees nearby.
You will need: birch bark from fallen branches or bark sheets, scissors, natural twine, tacky glue, clothespins.
How to make it: 1. Cut five strips about 4 inches long and 1/2 inch wide. 2. Arrange them in a star and glue the points, holding them with clothespins until dry. 3. Wrap each point with twine and add a loop.
Pine Cone Gift Toppers
Natural decor does not stop at the tree. Brown kraft paper, twine and a small pine cone with a sprig of cedar make gifts look like they came from a boutique. It costs almost nothing and matches a natural tree perfectly. Find more clever wrapping ideas in these gift wrapping tricks. Add a sprig of faux berries for a pop of red.
You will need: brown kraft paper, natural twine, small pine cones, cedar or evergreen sprigs, faux red berries, blank tags.
How to make it: 1. Wrap gifts in kraft paper and tie with twine. 2. Tuck a sprig of cedar and berries under the knot. 3. Tie a pine cone on top with a short piece of twine.
Rosalynn Carter Christmas Grapevine Wreath
Bring all the ideas together on one wreath for the front door. A grapevine base holds pine cones, painted eggshells, orange slices, cinnamon sticks and seed pods. It is a Rosalynn Carter Christmas tree in miniature and greets every guest with natural charm. For more ways to build a wreath, see these ornament wreath ideas. Hang it on a covered door to protect the eggshells.
You will need: a 14 inch grapevine wreath, pine cones, blown eggshell baubles, dried orange slices, cinnamon sticks, seed pods, hot glue (adult help), wire.
How to make it: 1. Lay out the items on the wreath before gluing. 2. Hot glue the larger items first, then fill gaps with smaller ones, with adult help. 3. Wire a loop to the back for hanging.
Pine Cone Garland for the Mantel
Finish the room with a long pine cone garland across the mantel. Fresh evergreen and tucked in orange slices add color and a fresh scent. It ties the natural theme together and costs very little if you gather the cones yourself. It fits beautifully with other farmhouse Christmas decor. Tuck battery fairy lights behind the greens for a soft glow without any flames.
You will need: 20 to 30 pine cones, jute twine, thin floral wire, evergreen garland, dried orange slices.
How to make it: 1. Wrap a short piece of wire around the base of each cone and twist a loop. 2. Thread the loops onto jute twine, spacing them evenly. 3. Lay the garland over evergreen on the mantel and tuck in orange slices.
