Often times the most simple and inexpensive of ideas are the ones that turn out the most amazing. In this case, they also happen to make your home smell good as well. Can you spot the money saving ornament idea on this tree? Click through to get the inside scoop.
Over at Young House Love, the dynamic duo have been busy setting up their Christmas Tree for all to see. Sure they make a cute timelapse video (which you can see here), but more importantly, they made a good portion of the ornaments on their tree.
By slicing oranges thin and drying them in the oven, they created these lovely little light catchers that are sure to keep the air smelling great as the lights keep them warm. They look great and can be done with most citrus fruits.
They're also a great way to decorate a tree outside if you're looking to decorate your bushes or trees with a little holiday cheer, try this on for size, plus the birds can eat away on it as the season progresses. Do without the metal hangers and simply put the end of the branch through the middle of the orange to hold things in place, that way there's zero clean up!
Read more about the other handmade ornaments on this tree over at Young House Love!
(via: Young House Love)
(Images: Young House Love)
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Does that attract fruit flies? Just curious.
I love the look of popcorn and cranberry garland and think that these are lovely too. However, I am always a little afraid to use them for the fear of attracting mice or other pests!
The orange slices look beautiful. They would make a nice garland for a window, too. Like fruit "stained glass."
"Does that attract fruit flies? Just curious."
Um, no - Because they're dried.
I am absolutely doing the orange slices for my tree this year. They look fabulous! I already made myself a clementine/clove pomander, so it's natural to add more citrus!
aleirey,
I wouldn't worry too much unless you usually have troubles with pests; if you do usually have trouble with pests, you might try letting them dry, then dipping them in shelac or something to seal them.
i made these back in my martha stewart years (i.e. my early 20's when i still had the energy), i hung them up with gold thread and added some crystal beads. i still have them, all these years later, and they are still lovely.
easy craft project for family and friends, too!
I hate the expression "often times".
I'd like to see these studded with cloves for an extra Christmassy whiff. "Icicles" made from cinnamon sticks might also be a winner!
Your entire house will smell like mulled wine. Hmmm... mulled wine...
We're spending Christmas in a chalet (in the Swiss Alps), and don't feel like dragging our glass ornaments just for the week, so we will definitely be making this! The 3 kids, if they are not totally exhausted from their ski lessons, will get a kick out of making these, I am sure. We'll also hang cookies, and chocolates (those European decorated foil-covered chocolates made for hanging). Perfect!