16 Ways To Incorporate Southern Citrus Into Your Christmas Decorations

Citrus and Pinecone Front Door Christmas Decor
Photo: Laurey W. Glenn; Floral Design: Mary Cox Brown; Styling: Buffy Hargett Miller

With all its benefits and bold color, citrus was meant to be more than just another ingredient in your simmer pot during the holiday season. If you couldn't already tell, we're a teensy bit obsessed with citrus in the South. Some of our coziest memories are associated with Grandma drying orange slices and stringing them up for Christmas decor. From garlands to ornaments, citrus fruit decorations will always be the simplest and most cost-effective holiday decor. While Christmas is traditionally filled with red bows and lively greenery, consider bringing in yellow or orange with fruit to add to the holiday spirit. We've packed this gallery full of citrus Christmas tree decorations and dried citrus ideas. Your neighbors will thank you for the reprieve from the classic green, red, and gold lights and garlands that are guaranteed to don your block. What are you waiting for? Check out these citrus decoration ideas that are sure to shine throughout the festive season.

01 of 16

Lemons, Ribbon, and Garland – Oh My!

Natasha Lawler Charlottesville Home Decorated for Christmas with Lemon Wreath on the Front Door
Hector Manuel Sanchez

We love the way Natasha Lawler designs with citrus for the holidays. All you need to imitate her decor is faux or fresh garland for the door and railings, plus whatever ribbon tickles your fancy—and plenty of lemons, of course! If fresh lemons are unlikely to last in your neck of the woods, you can easily find faux lemons (target.com) that will withstand any harsh winter weather. Simply use a hot glue gun to fasten them to a pre-made wreath and wooden skewers to secure them in your flower boxes.

02 of 16

Sweet Oranges and Magnolias

Citrus and Pinecone Front Door Christmas Decor
Laurey W. Glenn; Floral Design: Mary Cox Brown; Styling: Buffy Hargett Miller

Oversized pinecones and magnolia leaves offer a lush backdrop for cheery oranges nestled in this wreath complete with a matching flowerpot display.

03 of 16

Citrus Greenery

Natasha Lawler Charlottesville House at Christmas Lemon/Citrus Christmas Tree
Hector Manuel Sanchez

Carry the lemon theme from outside your home into your living room by nestling the fruit into your tree's branches. Tie it all together with a matching bow on top of the tree and wreaths adorning the windows.

04 of 16

Easy Entertaining

Natasha Lawler Charlottesvile Home Decorated for Christmas Dining Room
Hector Manuel Sanchez

While a red, green, and white floral centerpiece nods to the holiday season, hints of zesty yellow from tapers and lemons add a cheery pop of fresh color.

05 of 16

Zesty Name Cards

Natasha Lawler Lemon and Clove Place Cards for Christmas
Hector Manuel Sanchez

Create personalized pomanders by poking guests' initials into an orange using cloves. It's an aromatic and charming touch for a holiday-worthy dining table.

06 of 16

Orange Party

Orange Citrus Wreath
Photo: Laurey W. Glenn; Styling: Heather Chadduck Hillegas and Buffy Hargett Miller

Buy a fresh greenery wreath and fill it with a mixture of oranges, clementines, and kumquats. Use hot glue, toothpicks, and ties to attach the citrus. The wreath is sure to be a cheery welcome for any holiday guests.

07 of 16

Citrus Tree

Lemon and Orange Small Space Christmas Tree
Photo: Becky Luigart-Stayner; Styling: Buffy Hargett Miller

Add a pop of sunshine yellow and orange to your holiday table with a tiny fruit tree. You can also opt for small oranges to create pomanders to use in the display as well.

Materials:

  • Five (2-pound) bags of lemons
  • florist picks
  • 24-inch plastic foam cone
  • sprigs of fresh rosemary and cypress
  • urn
  • five oranges
  • reindeer moss
  • ribbon

Method:

  1. Stick lemons with florist picks (one per lemon).
  2. Starting toward the bottom of the cone, insert lemons in circular diagonal rows, working your way up and leaving about 1 inch of space between each row until the cone is covered.
  3. Fill in the empty spaces between the lemon rows with rosemary and cypress sprigs.
  4. Set the decorated cone securely inside the urn.
  5. Place leftover lemons and oranges around the base of the cone; cover up any gaps with reindeer moss.
  6. Trail ribbon from the top of the arrangement.
08 of 16

Dried Orange Ornaments

Natural Wonder
Hector Manuel Sanchez; styling: Taylor Colson Horton

Dried orange slices and clove-filled oranges give this tree a traditional and rustic look. Plus, the combination of the evergreen and citrus will make your home a scented oasis for the holidays.

09 of 16

Pomander Balls

Make Pomanders
Photo: Ralph Anderson

Talk about an easy and effective DIY—pomanders (oranges studded with cloves) have long been a staple in Southern homes during the holidays. Pile them together in a bowl that can be displayed on your coffee table, in a guest bathroom, or on the dining room table for an aromatic decoration that is just as pretty to look at.

10 of 16

Dried Citrus Garland

Citrus and Ribbon Garland in Kitchen
Photo: Hector Manuel Sanchez; Styling: Lilt Floral Design

Fresh greenery adds new energy and life to a home during the holidays and looks even prettier with a pop of color. We love adding a layer with dried citrus slices tied to velvet or silky ribbons. Use leftover slices to embellish other spaces, like those orchids you've been tending to all year.

11 of 16

Lemon Drops

Christmas Table Setting Citrus Settings
Photo: Laurey W. Glenn; Styling: Buffy Hargett Miller

Slice a small slit in a faux lemon or small orange to add a personalized name card for a fresh table setting that's photo-ready.

12 of 16

Citrus and Berries

Citrus and Berry Christmas Centerpiece
Photo: Laurey W. Glenn; Styling: James Farmer

Holly berries make a lovely centerpiece for any holiday hosting occasion. Add citrus to the mix and you've got a show stopping all-natural display.

13 of 16

When Life Gives You Lemons…

Fresh Lemon Garland Hanging Over Fireplace Mantel
Photo: Laurey W. Glenn; Styling: Heather Chadduck Hillegas and Buffy Hargett Miller

Make a lemon garland! Magnolia leaves, greenery, and and lemons pair for a unique garland that can be hung anywhere in your home. Use heavy-duty florist wire to string the lemons and leaves together.

14 of 16

Easy Like Apples and Oranges

Fran Keenan Apples and Oranges Christmas Mantel
Photo: Laurey W. Glenn; Styling: Buffy Hargett Miller

Pick up a handful of apples and oranges from the supermarket when you're doing your last-minute, forgotten-ingredient shopping. Arrange the fruit on your mantle with spruce clippings for an easy, yet thoughtful display.

15 of 16

Two-Piece Citrus Wreath

Try a Two-Piece Wreath
Photo: Jim Bathie

If you have a double-door entry, you can still get the look of a single wreath by cutting a wreath in half (be sure it has a sturdy frame that will keep its shape). Then you can use florist wire to add fruit, fresh clippings, and a ribbon for a colorful finishing touch.

16 of 16

Colorful Hurricanes

Christmas Decorating Idea: Hurricane Arrangement
Photo by Robbie Caponetto

It's one of the oldest tricks in the decorating book, but it works every time. Fill a trifle dish or a glass hurricane with layers of limes, holly berries, and oranges for a bright arrangement on your mantle or dining room table.

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