Christmas-Tree Ornaments
Perhaps you would like to keep some of your cones for Christmas-tree ornaments; they make very pretty ones.
Gild several until they shine like gold, then silver others, and they will look as if covered with white frost. If you have collected any of the prickly sweet-gum balls that look as if they were carved in little starry patterns, gild and silver these, too, and let them dangle from the tree on long gilt or silver cords.
These natural, outdoor ornaments are not easily broken, and may be kept from year to year for your Christmas tree.