Mama on the Homestead participates in the Amazon Services LLC Affiliate Program. This allows me to make a small commission on goods you purchase through my links. Thank you!

How to Make Dehydrated Citrus Ornaments

My Christmas tree is full of handmade and sentimental Christmas ornaments. Each year my kids and I make salt dough ornaments and these simple DIY dried citrus ornaments and garlands as one of our Christmas traditions. These homemade and natural elements make the tree feel so cozy to me!

Homemade Dried Citrus Ornament Recipe

This simple Christmas craft only requires one ingredient and a little bit of time. Grab some fruit and start making memories this holiday season!

Ingredients:

Citrus fruit (blood oranges, clementines, grapefruit, limes, lemons, etc.)

Materials:

Parchment Paper
Baking Sheet
Cooling Rack
String, Twine, or ornament hooks
Stitching Needle

DIY Dried Citrus Ornament Directions:

STEP 1: Slice the Fruit

Use a sharp knife to cut the oranges, grapefruit, or whatever citrus fruit you have on hand into thin slices- about 1/4”.

STEP 2: Dehydrate the Slices

Preheat the oven to 180 degrees F. Place the orange slices in a single layer on a cookie sheet lined with parchment paper OR on a cooling rack on top of a cookie sheet. Using a cooling rack in this way allows the air to move all the way around the slices.

Bake for 4-5 hours. Make sure that the citrus fruit slices are only slightly pliable. You do not want them to start shriveling and turning brown, however. You can use a food dehydrator for this if you have one.

STEP 3: Cool the Dried Citrus Slices

Allow the dehydrated citrus slices to cool completely. I like to place them on a cooling rack for this. Let the citrus slices sit out for a day or two to allow the excess moisture to dry out.

STEP 4: Hang

Use a stitching needle to poke a thread, ribbon, or ornament hook through the dried orange slices (or other citrus variety). Tie a loop and hang them on your tree!

Stitch on some star anise or cinnamon sticks onto the center of the oranges if you wish.

If you want to make a dried citrus garland, you will need a stitching needle and thread or twine. Weave the thread or twine through each slice and then connect it to the next slice. Once all of the slices are on the garland, tie a knot to secure the thread. Then you can wrap it around the tree!

How to Store DIY Dried Citrus Ornaments

Keep the dried citrus garland/citrus ornaments in a cold dry place and out of the reach of rodents. My garland from last year was eaten up by mice in my garage 🙁

Don’t expect them to keep more than 2 years even when stored well. These citrus ornaments will lose their color and scent so it is best to make new ornaments at least every other year.