Hi friends! Have you ever wondered why pineapples are called pineapples when they don’t grow on pine trees or look anything like apples? Today I’m giving all the answers as I share my pine cone pineapple wreath.
Pineapples were Named after Pine Cones
The explorer Christopher Columbus didn’t just find the New World! He discovered a delicious new fruit growing in Guadeloupe in 1493. He took the fruit back to Spain where it was nicknamed “pina” since it looked much like a pine cone. Since the fruit had an interior pulp like an apple, the word apple was combined with the word pine to make pineapple.
I made this wreath to hang on the door of our storage building. It’s one of the first things a visitor sees when they enter our yard so I am loving this universal symbol of hospitality and welcome. And since I used mostly free things (pine cones) and other items I already had on hand, this was a very thrifty project!
How Pineapples Became the Symbol of Hospitality
It seems like pineapple items are wildly popular right now but it’s really not a trend at all. Pineapples, especially in the South, have been used as a welcome symbol for several centuries. Sea captains who were importing the pineapples into the colonies would impale a fresh one on their gateposts or front door when they returned home to indicate to friends and relatives that they were welcome to visit. In addition, only wealthy people could afford to offer guests fresh pineapples so the fruit became a symbol of generosity, hospitality, and wealth.
But you don’t need to spend a fortune today to bring this welcome symbol into your home. You can easily create my thrifty pine cone pineapple wreath!
First, you need a base for your wreath. I used a scrap piece of 1/4 inch plywood, but you can purchase small pieces of plywood at Lowes or Home Depot. I sketched a pineapple shape on the wood and Leo cut it out with his saw. If you don’t have access to a saw, you could also use thick foam board to make your base. (I made my base 15 inches tall and 11 inches wide.)
The wooden base got a quick coat of green paint. I used several different shades of green acrylic craft paint.
I did purchase this artificial tropical flower because its foliage looked like that of a pineapple. I found this at Ole Time Pottery and it was on sale for about $2.
We have a very large pine tree that gives us plenty of pine cones. We have to pick them up daily and I have used them in several craft projects. You can find the directions on how to cut the pine cones in this post: How to Make Pine Cone Zinnias but we’ve since discovered that you can also use loppers to cut the pine cones.
I spray painted the cut pine cones with this Valspar paint in a gold color called Afternoon Stroll.
Next, I added a more sunshine yellow color on the top scales, a tan color to the end of the lower scales, and dark brown in the center.
Here’s a close up so you can see that better. (I’m thinking this would make a great summer craft project for children and teens!)
After hot gluing the pine cones onto the front of the wooden base and the foliage onto the back, the only thing left to do was to tie a ribbon onto the wreath. I found the pineapple ribbon on sale at JoAnns.
Ta-da! I just love how the pine cone pineapple wreath looks on the door of our storage building!
The pine cone pineapple wreath and the flowers give such a warm welcome vibe to our storage building and our home. NOTE: If you make your own pineapple wreath, you will need to hang it in a covered area where it will not get wet. 
Juicy, our outdoor cat, feels welcome and has found a spot for a snooze underneath the portulaca in the chair.
These SunPatiens in tropical colors coordinate with the pine cone pineapple wreath, don’t ya think?
I just had to show you one of the window boxes on the storage building. If you have followed us for a long time, you may remember a post that we did when we first got the building and put up these fake windows!
I spent less than $5 on my supplies to make this pine cone pineapple wreath so I’m joining some other thrifty friends today.
Click on any of the links below to see more thrifty projects!
Theresa @DearCreatives says
July 2, 2017 at 1:24 pmPinning this to my pineapple board. So adorable. I guess I need to get a hold of some pine cones i had fun finding your blog today. 😉
Jenna at Wife in Progress says
June 16, 2017 at 2:28 pmMy gosh what a clever idea!!! Love it 🙂 Have a fab weekend!
Mary Beth says
June 16, 2017 at 1:19 pmJane! This is so awesome. I love how bright and cheery it is. So happy to be on the Thrifty Style Team with you. xo
Mary says
June 15, 2017 at 5:44 amAdorable Jane and the pineapple ribbon is the crowning touch! Your little storage shed looks like a tiny house and I’m lovin’ your wonderful chippy chair too 🙂
Kristi says
June 14, 2017 at 11:51 pmYour wreath is so adorable Jane! Love the texture that the pinecones add to it. So creative!
laura janning says
June 14, 2017 at 9:21 pmJane, how cute it that wreath! I love it. hope all is well with you and Leo at the cottage
meegan says
June 14, 2017 at 8:53 pmI thought your zinnias were just as cute as can be. BUT, your pine cone pineapple runs right up there! I am in awe of your skills and talent. Thanks so much. I look forward to working with you. It will be great fun!
AnnMarie says
June 14, 2017 at 6:49 pmI love your wreath!! It is so clever with the pinecones. I have been wanting to make pinecone zinnia’s so now I will have to try this too. Pinned to my I Love Wreaths board!
Barb says
June 14, 2017 at 6:42 pmI love your pinecone pineapple! It’s adorable and the pine cones add a wonderful texture. I like the way you painted it and added the leaves from another plant. The ribbon is adorable! Thanks so much for sharing your technique. I would never have thought to use loppers to slice the pine cones.
Jenna says
June 14, 2017 at 6:10 pmI had to come back to say thanks for the info about the origin of the word pineapple! So interesting! My wedding china has small embossed white pineapples around the edge that my mother explained was a symbol of hospitality and I couldn’t go wrong choosing this pretty china. She was right, I still love it and use it for special occasions and pineapples hold a special place in my heart.
Cindy says
June 14, 2017 at 5:53 pmWhat a sweet idea, I have never thought of using pine cones this way!
Kristi Dominguez says
June 14, 2017 at 5:13 pmWow! I never knew the history behind the pineapple! Thank you so much for sharing that with us, Jane! This door hanger is beautiful!! (And even more so now that I know more about the pineapple!!) I’m so excited to be teaming up with you and the other ladies on the Thrifty Style Team!
Jenna says
June 14, 2017 at 4:55 pmSo cute Jane! The pine cones make great pineapple texture!!
Jessica says
June 14, 2017 at 2:17 pmThis is so clever!! I love pineapples and I really enjoyed the history. I once read that you could rent a pinapple to display at a dinner and then later the merchant would sell them to wealthier families. Happy to have met you and already looking forward to next month!
Julie says
June 14, 2017 at 1:45 pmThis is so cute, I can’t take it. The entire storage room is cute…I would move in Jane, I really would! And then, Juicy! Come on now. I love cats and Juicy is so cute. I love it all~
Pam says
June 14, 2017 at 12:08 pmOK, that is just too cute!!! I remember your zinnias too. You are the Pine Cone Queen!
Kris @ Junk Chic Cottage says
June 14, 2017 at 11:51 amSuper cute and sooooo creative. Love it on the door of your storage shed. Adorable.
Happy New Week.
Kris
Sandy says
June 14, 2017 at 9:28 amYour creativity always amazes me. So cute!
Bliss says
June 14, 2017 at 8:45 amThat is pretty darn clever! Pinning and welcome to the Thrifty Style Team.
Jane Windham says
June 14, 2017 at 9:06 amThanks Bliss! Glad to be a part of the team!