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DIY Orange and Cinnamon Stick Napkin Rings

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These DIY Orange and Cinnamon Stick Napkin Rings make a beautiful natural addition to your holiday table. Make your own in just minutes with simple and inexpensive supplies.

I’m so happy that you are here today because I’m kicking off the holiday season! I’m participating in the Seasonal Simplicity Christmas Series hosted by my friend Krista of Happy Housie. Today myself, along with my blogger friends, are sharing some DIY/Craft ideas for Christmas. I hope you will be inspired to create something too! So make sure to check out all of the links at the bottom of this post! xo

For my first holiday project I’m sharing this really simple, inexpensive table setting idea: DIY Orange and Cinnamon Stick Napkin Rings. Come see how to make them!

a wooden table with three place settings of white plates. on each plate is a linen napkin decorated with dried orange slices, cinnamon sticks, cedar and wrapped in twine

Simple and Pretty Holiday Decor

Every year as the holiday season arrives, I tell myself that I am going to keep things as simple as I can. I don’t want to get stressed during my favourite time of year. So I’m going to share my simple holiday ideas with you, in case you feel the same way! Today I’m starting with the most easy place setting idea that is perfect for any holiday meal…brunch, Christmas dinner or any special occasion.

a white plate with a linen napkin decorated with a dried orange slice, cinnamon sticks, cedar and wrapped in twine

Make Your Own Dried Orange Slices

When I was thinking of ways to set a festive table this holiday season, I knew I wanted to make something homemade, and immediately thought of dried orange slices. Dried oranges are so pretty this time of year! They are such a simple, inexpensive and easy-to-make decoration. So at the beginning of the season I will make 2 trays of dried oranges slices so I can add them to garland, Christmas wreaths, ornaments and Christmas table settings and even the Christmas tree! And if you want to make some too, you can see how to make them in my blog post here. If you’re going to make these napkin embellishments you will need some!

a top down view of a white plate with a linen napkin decorated with a dried orange slice, cinnamon sticks, cedar and wrapped in twine

Festive Greens

For this project I used sprigs of faux cedar that I found at Michaels, because truthfully, this time of year that was all I could find. But I think any festive greens, either fresh or faux, like evergreens, cedar, pine or even eucalyptus, would be beautiful on these napkin rings. The nice thing about using faux greens is that you can use them year after year. On the other hand, the nice thing about using fresh greens is that they smell nice! The choice is yours.

a top down close up of a white plate with a linen napkin decorated with a dried orange slice, cinnamon sticks, cedar and wrapped in twine

Layers of beauty.

I love the look of the layers of greens, cinnamon sticks, dried oranges and twine. It’s such a beautiful combination. And really would match any type of decor. I used my linen napkins and added them to my white plates, but you can use what you already have…the nice thing about natural decor is that it usually matches pretty much anything.

three linen napkins decorated with dried orange slices, cinnamon sticks, cedar and wrapped in twine

No Glue Gun Required!

This is a completely glue-free project! I love that because you can use all of the pieces for other things once you’re done with them!

a top down view of a white plate with a linen napkin decorated with a dried orange slice, cinnamon sticks, cedar and wrapped in twine. the plate sits on a wooden table

What you need to make these napkin rings:

  • Dried Orange Slices: You can see how to make dried orange slices in my blog post here.
  • Cedar Sprigs: Fresh or faux work beautifully for these. Fresh smells wonderful. Faux last forever.
  • Cinnamon Sticks: I use 2 for each napkin ring.
  • Twine: Use twine to secure all the elements of the napkin ring together.
  • Napkins: You can use any kind of napkin. I used simple linen napkins but white, red or green would look great too!
a top down view of five dried orange slices, cinnamon sticks, cedar sprigs and a ball of twine
a top down view of five dried orange slices, cinnamon sticks, cedar sprigs and a ball of twine

How to Make These Pretty Napkin Rings:

  • Gather all of the pieces you need to put together your napkin rings: orange slices, cedar sprigs, cinnamon sticks and twine. Oh and of course the napkins!
  • Roll the napkin.
  • Flip the napkin over, with the smooth side facing up.
  • Place down a cedar sprig.
  • Add two cinnamon sticks.
  • Lay down a dried orange slice.
  • Wrap everything together with a piece of twine. I wrapped mine 4 times because I like the look of it this way. Then tie a knot at the back of the napkin as shown below.
a top down view of a rolled up linen napkin tied with linen string
three linen napkins decorated with dried orange slices, cinnamon sticks, cedar and wrapped in twine

Project Tips!

  • Orange Slices: One orange will usually make about 6 – 8 slices, with about 4 being larger and 2-4 being smaller. So if you’re setting a big table, make sure to dry 2 oranges.
  • Storage: If you wish to make these ahead of time (like weeks or months), make sure the oranges are fully dried before you place them into any airtight container or they could mould. I usually just leave them in an unsealed box in my linen drawers.
  • Greenery: Feel free to use your favourite greenery, and either fresh or faux. There are no hard rules here!
  • Twine: I just used traditional twine for mine, but red and white twine would look so pretty too!

I hope you like them!

a woman is setting a wooden table with three place settings of white plates. on each plate is a linen napkin decorated with dried orange slices, cinnamon sticks, cedar and wrapped in twine

More Christmas Table Setting Ideas:

PIN IT to make later!

More Holiday DIYs to try!

As I mentioned, today I’m joining some of my talented blogging friends who are also sharing their Christmas DIY and Craft project ideas with you. Be sure to visit their posts by clicking on the links below the images!

Dollar Store Crafts: Christmas Nutcracker Makeover at The Happy Housie

Anthropologie Inspired Colorful Holiday Doormat at Tatertots and Jello

DIY Mini Jingle Bell Wreath at Simply, Marie Designs

DIY Moon Shaped Christmas Wreath at Life is a Party

How to Make a Christmas Wood Bead Garland at She Gave it a Go

How to Make a Beautiful DIY Christmas Cloche (Ikea Hack) at The DIY Mommy

DIY Felt Gingerbread Man Bunting at Clean & Scentsible

Wood Bead Garland at Maison de Pax

DIY Orange and Cinnamon Stick Napkin Rings at A Pretty Life

DIY Sleigh Bells at Zevy Joy

Happy Holidays!

Hi I'm Jo-Anna Rooney, the creator, director, baker, maker and home decorator here at A Pretty Life in the Suburbs! I'm sharing a simple home life through fresh and easy recipes and uncomplicated home tips and home decor.

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9 Comments

  1. I just love these! I can smell the oranges and cinnamon from here. Hanging dried orange slices have become a tradition in our home durning the Christmas season, can’t wait to add them to our table setting!

    Reply