Looking for the perfect craft to bring the magic of the holiday season into your home? I have three words for you: dried citrus ornaments. If you’ve ended up on the cottagecore side of Pinterest, these beauties have likely ended up on your feed. Dried citrus ornaments are perfect for those who enjoy the aesthetic of natural holiday decor.
The first step is to acquire your preferred citrus! The most common type to use is oranges but many people have experimented with limes, lemons and grapefruits with great results. You can pick up your citrus from a local spot like the Suwanee Farmers market during its winter season. If you can’t make it out to your local farmers market, Living Well Farmers Market is another great place that offers an assortment of fresh produce year-round at their storefront in Downtown Suwanee. .
Once you’ve selected your citrus, it’s time to prepare them for the oven! Let your oven preheat to 150°F while you focus on slicing your fruit. I’ve found that slicing the citrus into ¼ inch slices is best to ensure they’re not too thick or thin, as this affects the outcome. Once you’ve sliced all of your citrus into even slices, arrange them onto a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. You’ll want to let them bake in the oven for 2-3 hours to fully dry out. I recommend making a delicious cup of apple cider or tea while you wait!
After the 2-3 hour mark, check on your fruit to see if it’s dried enough. It shouldn’t be completely shriveled up but at least dry to the touch and stiff. Once they are cooled off, you can grab a safety pin to poke a small hole through the top of the flesh. This is where you can let your creativity run free by choosing either twine or colorful ribbon to string up your DIY citrus ornaments to your tree! The lights on your tree will create this beautiful glow on your ornaments as the light shines through the citrus.
