December has arrived and we are excited for Christmas and a snowy new year. Along with pink winters, and pretty snow, the citrus season has also arrived. Oranges, lemons, and limes are officially here to add tanginess to our cozy Christmas. These citruses are not just ordinary fruits; they can also beautify your Christmas décor and add a refreshing fragrance to your surroundings.
What are dried citrus ornaments?
Dried citrus ornaments are made from citrus fruits, especially oranges. Oranges are sliced and dried in the preheated oven or microwave for 3–4 hours. These dried slices can be hung with the help of an ornament hook, or you can make a garland from these dried slices. These dried citrus ornaments are very easy to make, inexpensive, and add an extraordinary charm to the entire Christmas decoration.
What will you need to make dried citrus ornaments?
- Any citrus fruit, such as oranges, lemons, or limes,
- A slicing knife
- Parchment paper or cookie sheets
- Ornament hooks, twine, or ribbons as per your choice.
- Oven or microwave
Steps to make dried citrus ornaments
- Slice the citrus.
With the help of a sharp knife, slice the citrus fruits into thin slices. Citrus fruits lose their colon on drying, so choose bright-colored fruits. Try to cut all the slices evenly.
- Dehydrate the slices.
Preheat your oven to 180–200 degrees Celsius. Meanwhile, place the parchment paper over an oven tray, and then arrange the citrus slices on the parchment paper or cookie sheet. Once the oven is preheated, place your tray in the oven, set the temperature to 200 degrees, and let the citrus dry in the oven for 3–4 hours.
- Rest the slices.
After the slices are dried in the oven, take them out and let them rest for at least 1 hour so that the dried slices can cool down and take on the proper shape and color.
- Hook the slices.
Once these slices are ready, hook them with ornament hooks and hang them on the Christmas tree. You can also make a garland from this slice by using twine and beads to give it a more vintage look.
Tips to make perfect dried citrus ornaments
- Dried citrus takes time to completely dry without burning. Be patient with them, as they may take several hours (3–4 hours, approx.). Sometimes, if the citrus is more ripened, it might take more than 4 hours before they get ready.
- To add varying colors to your decoration, you can try other citrus fruits such as limes, grapefruit, and lemons. They look lovely and add an extra charm to the decoration.
- Air drying and pat drying with the help of a paper towel can help soak up the extra moisture and speed up the dehydrating process.
- Once they are dehydrated, let them rest for an hour or so to finish curling and take the proper colors.
Ideas to use dry citrus ornaments in your decorations
- Dried citrus ornament wreath
Dried citrus can be used to make a beautiful wreath. You can use straight pins to attach fruit slices to a cardboard or foam wreath, covering the entire foam wreath. Sprinkle some glitter powder on the slices to make them more attractive. To hang the wreath, tie a length of thick ribbon into a bow and attach it to the finished wreath with pins.
- A fragrant centerpiece
Christmas dinner tables also need a dress-up. A centerpiece with dried citrus ornaments and eucalyptus leaves can be a good option to give your dinner table a low-key, modern, but simple vibe. Place a light-colored tablecloth on the dining table. Place dried orange and lemon slices throughout the centerpiece, along with your favorite flowers and eucalyptus leaves, to complete the decoration.
- Dried orange slice ornament
Christmas is incomplete without a Christmas tree. To give your Christmas tree a vintage look, decorate the tree with dried orange slices by hooking it with ornament hooks. You can also use twine or ribbon to hang these slices. Do not forget to put up the colorful fairy lights to boost the décor of your tree.
- Dried citrus gift wrap
Gifts are an integral part of this festive season. To give a personal touch to the gifts for your loved ones, you can add a dried orange or lemon slice to the ribbon of the gift wrap and also add a handmade card with your best wishes written over it to make it more appealing and attractive.
- Dried citrus ornament garland
Garlands are the most preferred decorative item. This Christmas, replace your usual flower garlands with citrus garlands. Take different dried citrus along with wooden beads and star cutouts from lemons and arrange them on a jute twine to make a garland. You can use it to decorate the walls and your Christmas trees. Do not forget to sprinkle some glitter on your citrus to make it vibrant.
- Citrus wall hangings
Wall hangings are the most commonly used decorative items. To give these wall hangings a Christmas and winter vibe, you can use dried citrus ornaments. Arrange different dried citrus, such as orange, grapefruit, and lemon, in short, and long twines, and then tie these twines with a thick wooden stick. Tie a beautiful ribbon over the stick to hang it on the wall. You can also add some Christmas charms, such as stars, snowflake charms, and candies, to make it more attractive.
All these dry citrus ornament decoration ideas are one of the best ways to give your house a beautiful festive vibe without spending much. These dry citruses not only decorate your house but also add a fragrance to your surroundings. The beauty of the Christmas tree is elevated multiple times with these dry citrus ornaments. The joy of decorating your house with such DIY methods is unmatched, and it also gives a unique and personal touch to the festive decoration. So, this festive season, try DIY dry citrus ornaments to decorate and give your house a refreshing and vintage vibe.