The holidays are all about warmth, color, and inviting scents. While pine and berries are the classics, why not add an unexpected pop of vibrancy to your festive table this year? A DIY citrus centerpiece is the perfect way to bring the sunny, refreshing colors and incredible aroma of citrus into your home. It’s incredibly easy, affordable, and a beautiful change of pace!

And the best part is that it is completely customizable! Use what is on sale and available at your grocery store and don’t overthink it. Oranges, lemons, blood oranges, grapefruit and lime will all bring the same level of vibrancy you are looking for in your holiday centerpiece.

Why Citrus for the Holidays?

Think about it: the deep reds and vibrant greens of traditional décor are stunning, but a touch of bright orange, cheerful yellow, or crisp lime green adds a delightful contrast. Citrus offers:

• Vibrant Color: A natural focal point that feels fresh and inviting.
• Wonderful Scent: The peels release a clean, energizing fragrance that is a welcome alternative to heavy spice.
• Versatility: Citrus pairs beautifully with almost any natural element, from evergreens to pinecones to cinnamon sticks.

Related: A Guide to Mandarins

It’s time to grab the supplies!

Citrus Holiday Centerpiece Supplies

You don’t necessarily even need a trip to a specialty craft store for this one. Most of what you need is available at your local grocery store or what you already have at home!

• The Fruit: A mix of citrus. Go for different colors and sizes to add depth to your centerpiece. 
• The Vessel: A basket,  large, shallow bowl, a rustic wooden bowl, a long platter, or even a glass vase! Use what you have and what fits your table!
• The Greenery: Fresh clippings from a pine tree, holly, eucalyptus, or pine. Use whatever is available and smells good! You can also add in herbs like thyme or rosemary twigs.
• Aromatics (Optional): Cinnamon sticks, star anise, or small pinecones.
• Accent Lights (Optional): A pillar candle, a few tea lights, or a short strand of battery-operated twinkle lights.
• Others: We also use mini candy canes, mini ornaments, and faux berries. You can easily find any holiday decor that you want for your centerpiece. You are the “mixologist” in creating your masterpiece!

Assemble the DIY Citrus Centerpiece

You can create this masterpiece in about 15 minutes! The key is to create layers and vary the textures.

First, start by placing pine clippings in the bottom of the basket.

Then, add in your twinkle lights and fresh thyme twits to add depth.

Next, place some whole citrus in the center of the basket.

Cut your citrus into rounds. Vary up the sizes from cutting citrus into halves all the way to cutting 1” citrus rounds.

Related: 5 Ways To Cut a Navel Orange

Add in the sliced citrus in the open areas of the centerpiece.

Finally, add the accents. Tuck mini candy canes, faux berries, mini ornaments, and  small pinecones into the spaces between the fruit.

This simple, beautiful DIY centerpiece is a sensory treat that welcomes guests with color and a fresh, clean scent. It proves that the best holiday decor can often be found right in your kitchen!

More DIY Citrus Holiday Decor

• Dried Citrus Holiday Garland – it gives the air a fresh scent of citrus, adds a natural pop of color to your decorations, and looks like stained glass when it’s hung in front of a window. 
• DIY Citrus Christmas Wreath – In about 30 minutes, you’ll have a beautiful, festive new wreath and a unique decoration idea you may have never considered.