Looking to spruce up your home for the holidays? Head outside for some 100% free decorations just waiting for you to pick them up. Pinecones can be used in a variety of ways when decorating for the holidays. Just make sure that you bake them in the oven on a foil-lined baking sheet for about 30 minutes before you use them to decorate. Doing this will make sure that any sap or bugs dry up.

Here are some of the best ideas we found:

1. Spray Paint: just spraypaint some pinecones gold and put them in a clean jar and you’ve got a gorgeous centerpiece for any table.
2. Christmas Tree Topper: tired of the same old star or angel on the top of the Christmas tree? Just use a styrofoam sphere and some pinecones to create a great starburst tree topper.
3. Paint-Dipped Ornaments: use some of that leftover paint you have hanging around to make some pretty pinecone ornaments for your Christmas tree.
4. Pinecone Wreath: welcome guests to your home with a simple silver and gold pinecone wreath. All you’ll need for the project, besides the pinecones, is a small frame, spray and craft paint, beaded garland, ribbon, hot glue and a hair dryer.
5. Mini Wreath Place Holder: use thick jewelry wire, hot glue, Cardstock and pinecones to make mini wreath placeholders for guests at your table.