When the weather turns frosty, nothing cuts through the chill like the bright color and clean, refreshing scent of fresh citrus. Available in a glorious abundance during the winter months, lemons, oranges, limes, and grapefruits are the perfect, vibrant antidote to a season of rich, heavy spice.

This year, skip the traditional pine-and-cinnamon-only holiday theme and bring a blast of sunshine into your home. We’ve rounded up six fantastic ideas to use fresh citrus in your decor, traditions, and holiday bar menu!

Festive DIY Decor: Infuse Your Home with Natural Scents

Citrus is inexpensive, colorful, and releases an incredible, clean aroma that makes it a natural for holiday crafts.

Related: How to Make Potpourri with Fruit & Veggie Scraps

The Stained Glass Garland

The DIY Dried Citrus Holiday Garland is a must-try project. Thinly slice various citrus fruits like oranges, lemons, limes, grapefruits,etc. Then, dehydrate them until brittle (this takes about 6-8 hours in a dehydrator or 3-9 hours in a 150°F oven). Use twine or ribbon to string them as you wish. You can use the garland on your fireplace mantle, on your tree, or even hung from your staircase. If you hang the garland in a window, the reflection will make it appear like a stained glass window. The dried citrus garland can last for two years.

DIY Citrus Garland

The Vibrant Centerpiece

For your holiday table, whip up a quick and customizable DIY Citrus Holiday Centerpiece. Start with a base of greenery like pine clippings in a basket or bowl. Tuck in whole and sliced citrus, varying the colors (think blood oranges, lemons, and oranges). Finish the look by adding accents like pinecones, faux berries, cinnamon sticks, or even battery-operated twinkle lights to make the fruit slices truly pop!

DIY Citrus Holiday Centerpiece

The Aromatic Wreath

Elevate your front door with a DIY Christmas Wreath with Fresh Citrus. This simple project starts with a sturdy base, like a grapevine wreath, and Christmas garland. Using floral wire, attach whole fresh lemons and oranges directly to the wreath, piercing the fruit from stem-to-stem to help them last longer. The result is a welcoming decoration that gives off a beautiful, natural citrus scent every time you pass by.

DIY Citrus Christmas Wreath

A Taste of Tradition: The Classic Stocking Stuffer

Do you find an orange in the toe of your Christmas stocking every year? This isn’t just a quirky custom, it’s a reminder of history and simple luxury!

Holiday Stocking Citrus

The tradition of Adding Citrus to Christmas Stockings gained popularity in the 1930s during the Depression era. At a time when money was scarce, fresh citrus—which was often exotic and hard to acquire, especially in northern states—was considered a rare and special treat. Today, continuing this tradition is a wonderful way to teach appreciation for simple blessings. Plus, citrus is a great, healthy alternative to stuffing stockings with excessive candy, delivering a powerful dose of Vitamin C to ward off winter sniffles.

Adding Citrus To Christmas Stockings

Sips of Sunshine: Beverages for Cheerful Entertaining

From a refreshing family mocktail to a zesty, classic Italian “luxury”, citrus makes for the best holiday drinks.

Sparkling Citrus Punch

Ready in just five minutes, this Sparkling Citrus Punch is a crowd-pleaser that works as both a mocktail and a cocktail. It balances the sweetness of fresh orange and the tartness of lime with vibrant ruby-red pomegranate juice and sparkling water. Garnish with citrus rounds and pomegranate arils for a gorgeous, festive look. 

Sparkling Citrus Punch

Easy Homemade Limoncello

Looking for a personal, thoughtful gift? Homemade Limoncello is a delicious Italian liquor made with only four simple ingredients: lemons, 100-proof vodka, water, and sugar. The secret is patience: carefully peel the lemons (avoiding the bitter white pith) and allow the rinds to infuse in the vodka for 2–6 weeks. Once infused and mixed with simple syrup, you have a vibrant, zesty digestif that is perfect for holiday gifting or sipping ice-cold after a celebratory meal.

DIY Homemade Limoncello

Citrus for the Holidays

This holiday season, let the vibrant colors and invigorating aromas of citrus be your guide to a little extra joy. They are a simple, naturally beautiful reminder that even in the middle of winter, a little bit of sunshine is always within reach. May your holidays be filled with the sweet, refreshing taste of the season!

Favorite Citrus Recipes

• Upside Down Citrus Cake
• Lemon-Lime Fruit Dip
• Citrus Shrimp Ceviche
• Blood Orange and Apple Pinwheels
• Mandarin Salad
• Lemon Whipped Feta
• Navel Orange and Beet Salad
• Grapefruit Avocado Salad

Looking for more ways to add fresh produce for the Holidays? Follow us on  Pinterest and Instagram for more great ideas!