Let's Get Crafty: DIY Citrus Ornaments

One of my favorite holiday traditions is to make handmade ornaments to give to family and friends – and to keep a few to throw on my own tree!

This year, my niece, nephew and I made these festive glittered dehydrated limes and oranges ornaments. I was extra pleased that the project was suitable for both of their ages - Jay is 8 and Harrison is 5. This is the perfect project for both kids and adults, too!

 

Materials Needed:

• Oranges
• Limes
• Sheet Pan
• Glitter Glue (my favorite arts and crafts supply!)
• Foam Brush (for spreading the glitter glue)
• Wire
• Wire Snips
• Small Paper Plate

 
Instructions:

1. Preheat your oven to 170°F
2. Line sheet pan with parchment paper
3. Carefully slice oranges and limes into 3 to 4mm thick rounds on a cutting board
4. Organize slices on the sheet pan so they aren’t touching each other.
5. Place sheet pan in oven and flip once an hour for 10-15 hours depending on the thickness of your slices. You’ll know when they are fully dehydrated because they are no longer juicy at all and they look dried out. (Note: 170 isn’t very hot so you can use your bare hands to flip the slices OR you can use tongs if your hands are sensitive. I do not recommend that kids flip the slices).
6. Once dehydrated, paint each slice with glitter glue by spreading with the foam brush. I recommend putting a decent dollop of glitter glue on a small paper plate and dipping the foam brush as you need more paint. you can hold the outer edges to flip to paint both sides
7. Poke a piece of wire (maybe 5-6 inches long) through the flesh of the fruit and twist into a closed loop for hanging on the tree

This holiday season, I gave out lots of these ornaments to friends and family. Sometimes I even threw around the neck of a wine bottle when I was going to someone’s home for a holiday party. They look extra beautiful when presented this way!

Though the holiday season has passed, but be sure to save this post for next year. I would love to see your completed versions of this project. What other kinds of DIY projects do you want to see from me? Let me know in the comments below!