4. Dried Orange Slice Garland
Dried citrus might be the single most versatile homemade decoration out there. Slice navel oranges and mandarins into rounds about a quarter inch thick, blot them with a paper towel, and lay them on a baking sheet lined with parchment. Bake at 200°F for two to three hours, flipping every hour, until the slices are dry and slightly leathery but still hold their color.
Once cooled, thread them onto twine with a sturdy needle, alternating with cinnamon sticks, wooden beads, or fresh cranberries if you are using the garland within a week. The citrus gives off a soft, warm scent for days, and the color glows when it catches string lights.
Drape it across a mantel, wind it through a stair railing, or lay it along a table runner. Store the garland in a paper bag in a dry place, and it will come back out next season looking nearly the same. If you want a fuller, more layered look, make two strands and hang them at slightly different heights.