I decided to switch things up this year and instead of the small table top tree I put in my kitchen this year I would put this taller one in here. It’s the Christmas tree that I normally put in my dining room but I replaced that one with a taller one as well so it’s the perfect time to put a taller one in the kitchen as well. The table top tree was so cute with red ornaments and bows but with this one I decided to do a DIY citrus Christmas tree decorated with dried orange and grapefruit slices. With the pretty blue velvet ribbon and the flocking on the tree I don’t think it could look any cuter!
How to make dried citrus slices for decorating
There’s a few ways to make dried citrus slices to use for decorating and tried them both! One way is to put them in the oven for several hours at 200 degrees. The other option is to put them in a dehydrator for several hours as well. I put them in the oven for about 5 hours and because a few of them were still soft and not all the way dry, I moved them to my dehydrator for another hour or so. After putting them in both the dehydrator and oven they were dry enough to use for decorating.
Here is a great post by Ella Clair & Co explaining how to make them and comparing the differences between baking them in the oven vs dehydrator and the different looks it will result in. For my tree I used 1 grapefruit, 1 regular size orange and 3 cutie oranges.
Once they are dried and cooled add string to them for hanging. I used some white cotton string I’ve had for years that was in my craft supplies, but twine or clear string would look great as well. Before hanging the orange and grapefruit slices on the tree I added some blue velvet ribbon bows to the tree. Figure out how long the ribbon needs to be for your bow and then use that piece as a guide to cut several pieces. I found my ribbon at Michaels and used two rolls worth.
Supplies Needed (Depending on the Size of Your Tree)
- 1 – 2 Regular Size Oranges
- 1 – 2 Grapefruit
- 2 – 4 Cutie Oranges
- Oven or Dehydrator
- String of Choice to Make Ornament Hangers
- (Optional) Ribbon For Bows
These took awhile to make but they were so easy! My DIY citrus kitchen Christmas tree decorated with dried orange and grapefruit slices turned out so cute and I’d definitely do it again! Everyone who has been over for holiday events has loved it. This is a great way to add some whimsy and beauty to your kitchen. The citrus with the velvet ribbon makes it a stunning and unique holiday look that’s both simple and budget-friendly. Perfect for adding warmth and charm to your home this Christmas season!
