How To: Christmas Fruit Hanging Decorations

Tired of glossy baubles and cheap tinsel? Try making a more traditional Christmas decoration this festive season! Here's a step-by-step guide to making your own Christmas Fruit Hanging Decorations. Perfect for hanging from the branch of your tree, from your mantelpiece, or from a door handle!

What you will need:

• Selection of fruit (red apple, orange, grapefruit, Persimmon, lemon, lime, clementine)
• Cinnamon Sticks, Star Anise, Whole Cloves
• String or Raffia
• Knife
• Chopping board
• Baking trays
• Baking paper
• Wire rack

Drying the fruit:

1. Set your oven to 140®c/Gas Mark 1

2. Line the baking trays with baking paper.

3. Slice the various fruit into thin slices (about 1cm thick)

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4. Stud with the whole cloves.

5. Put in the oven and cook on a low heat for about 4 hours or when the fruit looks slightly darker and dried out.

6. Leave to cool on a wire rack.

Putting together:

1. Make holes in the middle of the fruit for the string to go through.

2. Using the string or raffia tie the cinnamons stick and make a knot.

3. Arrange the fruit how you like on the string; one star anise apart.

4. When you are happy with your design finish off with another cinnamon stick.

5. For hanging create a loop knot with the string just about the cinnamon stick.

And there you have it! A traditional hanging decoration, full of hand made charm; perfect for freshening up any room in your home! For more Christmassy makes, visit our Countdown to Christmas.