The warm glow of a fireplace is so inviting, the sound of the crackling wood unmistakable. How about the scent? Find out here how to add a new dimension to your fireplace experience.

While pine cones, painted gold or glittery, can be a superb centerpiece or sight, they are heightened ever so more with the use of essential oils. Even better, these same scented pine cones can be tossed into one's fireplace or wood burning stove for a wonderful incense effect. Pine cones are also usually free, especially at this time of year. Be careful of scented pine cones from the craft store or gift shop. They may be treated with chemicals that are unsafe to burn. It is a much better idea to create the pine cones yourself. When collecting pine cones look for ones that are free from mold and completely dry. It is always best to harvest them before any dampness, rain or snow soaks them through and allows mold to grow.

A popular scent for the pine cones is cinnamon. Cinnamon essential oil is very pungent and aromatic, leaving it befitting for the at-times- very-aromatic pine cone. You may also wish to add dried powdered cinnamon for an extra boost in scent. To start deciding how you wish to use your pine cones, consider: Are they to be placed on a wreath, in a bowl of potpourri or use as fireplace kindling? If the answer is either of the first two suggestions, you can paint your pine cones for an added decorative and preservative effect. Gold paint is particularly stunning and usually renders “ooohs” and “ahhhs” from onlookers. For a more exciting effect, paint the pine cone completely white. Then lightly dust with blue glitter. You can also use chunky glitter spray paint for a fun and interesting look.

If you wish to use your scented creations as incense in the fire, you will want to forgo the paint and glitter as it may cause toxins to be released or unwanted and dangerous flares and sparks. Take the completely dried pine cone (using an oven can help with the drying process) and place it into a glass or china bowl or container. Place about a teaspoon worth of essential oil, via drops, over the cones and mix gently with a spoon. Then springle loose cinnamon powder over them and, if you wish, add a few broken cinnamon sticks. Cover and let sit at least a week in a cool, dry area of your house. Another more messy way is to take hot beeswax, add essential oil and dried powder cinnamon and dip the pine cone a few times until completely covered. Then allow them to dry on wax paper. Melted glycerin soap likely would also work nicely and be easier to clean up. As an added bit of scent, when burned, you can roll the pine cones after being dipped in wax in myrrh &/or frankincense resins. You can also melt the resins and cover the pinecones or thin pieces of kindling wood with it, letting it dry on wax paper in a cool place.
To make a more perfumed blend, you can mix a few essential oils together to scent your pine cones. Try clove, bitter almond and a bit of dried ginger. Pine of course is another welcome option and so is a bit of Pinon resin for a taste of the West. You will be surprised how wonderfully aromatic these pine cones can be in your fireplace, be it indoors or out, not to mention something different and unique for visitors to enjoy. One person asked how to scent brooms to be used as aromatic decor. Well the above will work great as would dried potpourri.

Marie A. Miczak  
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