The Easy Hack To Refreshing Last Season's Scented Pinecones

Certain scents always evoke the fall and winter holiday season, whether that is the rich redolence of pumpkin spice, the smell of freshly baked apples, or warm and rich notes of vanilla and sugar. Cinnamon is one of the most prevalent seasonal scents, often used in candles, air fresheners, and, of course, a decorative element you may already have in your home — the ubiquitous cinnamon-scented pinecones sold by home and craft retailers every year.

The pinecones are used to make your house smell amazing, and you'll often get a whiff of their strong and cozy scent long before you see them. However, while the cones will sometimes retain a small amount of scent after being packed away in boxes or bins of holiday decor, they usually lose some of their fragrance over time.

TikTok user @lavidaholoka recently revealed how she refreshes her collection of pinecones every year with a few drops of cinnamon essential oil, making them like new. This approach is a great alternative to having to toss the old ones and purchase this popular decor element every holiday season. 

To refresh their cinnamon scent, place last season's pinecones in a bowl or other container. Sprinkle a few drops of cinnamon essential oil over each cone until you reach the desired amount of scent. You can continue to use the same pinecones every year, repeating the procedure anew every holiday season. The pinecones will be as fresh and fragrant as they were when they were new. Others recommend putting the oils and pinecones in a plastic bag for a couple of days, which allows the scent to intensify. 

This is also a great chance to mix in other holiday favorite scents if desired, like vanilla, pine, citrus, or peppermint essential oil. The pinecones will easily soak up the additional scents. You can also opt for more subtle aromas like sage and rosemary, which are great if you plan to use pinecones as a part of your table decor, where cinnamon can often be overpowering while dining. If you do not have essential oils, which can be expensive, you can easily use more budget-friendly manufactured fragrance oils made for scented burners, candles, and soaps instead.