Tying cinnamon sticks together with string: why people recommend doing it and what it’s for
Cinnamon sticks sit in spice jars, waiting to be added to a dessert or a pot of mulled cider. Most people never consider them Christmas decorations. But place three or four sticks together, and their rolled bark and uneven ends resemble a miniature bundle of logs. Tie them with string, and there’s one detail worth noticing: the string holding the sticks together isn’t the same one used to hang them.
Homedit DIY creator Brittney Smart used two types of string to turn cinnamon sticks into Christmas ornaments, then added star anise and dried citrus. The trick is hiding the hanging loop beneath the decorative wrap, so the cinnamon appears to hang from the tree without a visible knot above it.
Start With Three or Four Cinnamon Sticks
Choose cinnamon sticks of similar length and arrange them into a small bundle. Their natural curves and uneven ends can remain visible, so there’s no need to cut them to match.
Wrap clear fishing line around the center of the sticks, leaving enough length above the bundle to form a hanging loop. The transparent line will be harder to notice against Christmas tree branches than thick string.
Wrap Jute Twine Around the Center
Wind natural jute twine around the middle of the cinnamon sticks, covering the fishing line and holding the pieces together. Tie the ends at the back of the bundle so the knot doesn’t interfere with the decorations.
The sticks should remain close together when lifted by the fishing line. If the bundle shifts, add another turn of twine before securing the knot.
Star Anise Covers the Center of the Bundle
Whole star anise has pointed seed pods arranged around its center, making it a small decorative accent without cutting or shaping.
Apply a small amount of hot glue to the front of the cinnamon bundle, near the twine. Press the star anise into the glue and hold it until the adhesive sets, keeping fingers away from the hot glue.
For a fuller design, add another star anise beside the first. Both sit over the twine, leaving the cinnamon ends exposed.
Dried Citrus Slices Can Be Added Without Changing the Bundle
Instead of stopping at cinnamon and star anise, use a dried lemon, lime, or orange slice. The thin fruit rounds can hang from fishing line or be attached to the bundle.
Place a small amount of hot glue where the dried slice meets the cinnamon sticks. Press the slice against the bundle, taking care not to cover the hanging line.
The finished version combines long brown cinnamon sticks, a dried citrus round, and dark star anise. Its citrus segments remain visible against the cinnamon.
Red-and-White String Creates Another Christmas Ornament
For another version, replace the natural jute wrap with red-and-white baker’s twine. Wind it around the cinnamon sticks several times, crossing the strands to create a pattern across the center.
The finished wrap forms red-and-white X shapes, with the fishing-line hanger left above the cinnamon.
Star anise and a dried citrus slice can also be added to this version, using the same attachment method.
Several finished bundles can hang from evergreen branches, with a mix of plain jute, red-and-white string, star anise, and dried fruit.
Would you use the hidden fishing-line trick to hang cinnamon bundles on your Christmas tree, or attach them to wrapped gifts instead?
Image credits go to Homedit.com