Every year, I get a little too excited about decorating for Christmas. Not just the main tree in the living room – oh no, I have to decorate the smaller tree on my kitchen counter too. This year, I decided to take a different route and make natural ornaments with a mix of dried oranges, cinnamon sticks, and little rustic touches. The goal? A cozy kitchen filled with holiday vibes and that amazing smell of citrus and spice. Spoiler: I absolutely nailed it.
Why Go Natural for Christmas Decor?
Honestly, I love the idea of sustainable and budget-friendly decor. Plus, natural materials add warmth that store-bought plastic ornaments just can’t pull off. And, okay – it’s trendy too. Pinterest made me do it.
The kitchen tree especially deserved something charming, simple, and scented. Using dried oranges, cinnamon sticks, and a few other bits and bobs I had lying around, I ended up making ornaments that scream rustic Christmas magic without spending a ton.
What I Used
- 2 fresh oranges (for drying – more on that in a second)
- Cinnamon sticks
- Star anise (those little spice stars look gorgeous)
- Sprigs of greenery (just clip a few from your tree or grab a cheap garland)
- Wooden beads (optional, but they add such a nice natural texture)
- Small red bells (because Christmas needs a pop of red, right?)
- Red ribbon
- Jute twine (or any sturdy string you have)
- A hot glue gun – because some things just won’t hold without it
Now, drying oranges is super simple, but I’ll admit – I’ve definitely ruined a few batches in the past. Slice the oranges as thin as you can – about 1/4 inch thick. Any thicker, and they’ll take forever to dry. Lay them on a baking tray lined with parchment paper and bake them at 100°C (about 200°F) for 3-4 hours. Here’s where I messed up once: I turned up the heat because I got impatient. Don’t do that. They’ll brown and look sad instead of bright and festive. Flip them every hour, and you’ll get perfect, translucent slices that practically glow in the lights.
Once the oranges were dry and ready, I got to the fun part – assembling everything! I ended up making five variations of ornaments, each one slightly different but oh-so-cute.
Tips for Assembling
- Use a hot glue gun for tricky spots like attaching star anise or bells. Trust me, it’s a lifesaver.
- Cinnamon sticks can sit above or directly on the orange. If you tie them above, they’re easy to secure with twine. If you want them centered, glue is the way to go.
- Star anise is perfect for covering up any “ugly” centers in the orange slices (let’s be real, not all of them are perfect).
- Pre-tie your red ribbons if, like me, you struggle with getting them even.
Two orange slices + cinnamon stick + a sprig of greenery. This one’s simple but classic. I just tied the cinnamon stick and greenery to the orange slices with jute twine. Done.
Orange slice + star anise + red ribbon. If you’ve never used star anise in crafting, you’re missing out. It’s like nature gave us little star-shaped decorations. I glued one in the middle of the orange and added a red bow for charm.
Orange slice + cinnamon stick + star anise + wooden bead. A more minimal design but still pretty. The wooden bead on the string gave it a nice finishing touch.
Orange slice + greenery + red bell. The red bell made this one feel extra festive. I glued the cinnamon stick horizontally, added greenery, and hung the little bell in the center. Adorable..
Orange slice + cinnamon stick + wooden beads + red ribbon. For a bit more detail, I strung three wooden beads above the orange, tied on a cinnamon stick, and finished with a neat red bow. This one looks extra polished, like it came from a fancy gift shop.
I also scattered a few loose bows around the tree branches for good measure. It’s such a simple trick but makes the tree feel fuller and more festive.
Bonus Idea: Cookie Cutter Ornaments for Rustic Christmas Charm
If you’re looking for a super simple yet charming addition to your tree, grab some metal cookie cutters. I used all Christmas-inspired shapes I could find, tied them with jute twine, and added a wooden bead for that extra rustic touch. Hang them alongside your dried orange ornaments, and they’ll reflect the warm glow of the lights beautifully.
It’s such an easy way to reuse baking tools for decor, and let’s be real – they look adorable. Plus, if you’re short on time, these ornaments come together in just a few minutes. Pro tip: pair them with little red bows for a festive pop of color.
Where Else Can You Use These Ornaments?
While my kitchen tree is happily showing off these handmade beauties, I realized these ornaments are versatile:
- Hang them on a garland or a simple twine across your kitchen wall.
- String them on a rolling pin for a quirky rustic display (love this idea, and implemented it to make a cool wreath alternative).
- Add them to wrapped gifts – they’re like a little bonus present.
Final Thoughts (and a Bit of Gloating)
I’m honestly so proud of how this turned out. My kitchen smells like Christmas heaven – oranges, cinnamon, and that hint of star anise – and the tree looks absolutely charming. Plus, there’s something so satisfying about using natural materials and making something by hand. If you’ve never tried making your own Christmas ornaments, give it a shot this year. They’re budget-friendly, eco-friendly, and make for the coziest holiday decor.
