How to Make a Nice, Easy, Cheap and Green Last Minute Christmas Gift

Nature provides the gift and all you have to do is decorate it, add some string and wrap. The perfect last minute Christmas gift or birthday gift for cool weather birthdays. Give the beauty of nature for Christmas.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Pinecones
• Twine/String/Ribbon
• Peanut Butter
• Lard (optional)
• Honey
• Birdseed
• Clear Bag for Wrapping
• Ribbon to Close the Bag

1. 
   The Mixin's

   Melt four tablespoons of peanut butter with two tablespoons of lard and one heaping tablespoon of honey.

2. Cool the mixture and let it thicken to drizzling consistency.

3. Hold the pinecone over the pan and use a spoon to drizzle the pinecone with the peanut butter mixture trying to cover every tip.

4. 
   Ready to Roll

   Pour several inches of wild birdseed into a large bowl or other container large enough to fit in the pinecone.

5. Roll the peanut butter drizzled pinecone into the birdseed gently pressing down while turning.

6. 
   Waiting for Wrapping

   Tap to shake off excess seed and set the finished pinecones to the side and let dry.

7. Cut twine about 24 inches long and tie to the top using a slipknot leaving plenty of string to tie the pinecone bird feeder to a tree limb or other holder.

8. 
   Ready To Give

   Place the finished pinecones into individual clear bags and tie with ribbon for a nice presentation.

Tips & Warnings

• If you do not use the lard, add extra peanut butter to make up for lost volume.
• Only make and use these feeders during cool weather. 70 Degrees or under is optimal.
• Re-heat the peanut butter mixture if it gets too thick to drizzle.
• This is a great kids craft project with adult supervision.

[greatgreat8]

on 5/13/2009 this is a great article

[FrazzledNanny]

on 5/7/2009 My daughter loves to make these. Thanks for the article. 5*

[Susanh]

on 1/27/2009 Great idea. Nicely written with photos too.

[Melanierose]

on 1/12/2009 This is a very nice article, thank you for sharing.

[sneedc]

on 12/31/2008 WOW this is awesome. LOVE it. THANKS for the nature balls of goodness for our friends in nature.