Decorate your home this festive season with your own natural, ethically sourced creations!
Inspired by an Instagram story I saw by Planted in the Woods, I decided I would try to make my own completely natural, sustainble decorations.
All I used were thin slices of orange which I then dried out on a low heat in the oven. After they were completely dried, and had some beautiful colouration, I poked star anise or cloves in (already had plenty in my kitchen, and threaded cinnamon sticks across. There are loads of tutorials to check out online.
This was relaxing, fun and ethical so it's a win all round!
Tips
Slice the oranges quite thin, about 10mm.
Pat off the excess moisture with a tea towel before popping in the oven
Don't lay them on a baking tray as they might stick to it, use a wire rack instead
Remember the slices will shrink slighty as they dry in the oven
Make sure you don't cut the rind as this is what strongly holds the fruit inside together
Keep turning them regularly
The colours will deepen the longer they are in, but also get harder so it will be more difficult to pierce or poke things through
Don't they look beautiful, and so much more as if they have a story to tell? I'm so happy with these decorations and below is the picture from Planted in the Woods that inspired me!
Thank you so much Planted in the Woods for sharing the idea.
Photo credit: Planted in the Woods
Have a look at the all natural festive wreath I made out of materials foraged from my local park in this other post, and check out my other festive posts for more of my thoughts on Christmas!
I hope however you choose to decorate, celebrate, cook, craft and connect this season, it means something, and creates an enriching experience.
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