Introduction: A Quick and Easy Homemade Gift: an Herb and Citrus Swag

By t.co/dL2SCfZ7Yw
About: gardening, gardens, crafting & creating. let's make the world a more beautiful place. eco-centric company inspired by nature & lovin' the great outdoors.

A homemade gift comes straight from the heart. It says you took the time to make something, and in today’s busy world, that really says you care.

Step 1:

This piece comes together so fast that you’ll be left with lots of time to enjoy the holidays with friends and family. If you have a cook in your life, this herb and citrus swag would be an awesome gift.

I glued the stems of the herbs under the braided ring. Don’t worry about eating the glue – the stem with the glue can be left on when you cut the herbal goodness off.


The ingredients you’ll need are few:

  • 1 – 18″ Grapevine Swag. I got this 1 at Hobby Lobby.
  • Herbs, I used Rosemary & Greek Oregano from my garden.
  • Dried citrus, I used Tangerines from my neighbor’s tree.

I don’t have a dehydrator but drying fruit is easy to do. I sliced the tangerines fairly thinly and sprinkled about half of them with organic sugar to create a little shine and touch of sweetness. I baked them in my toaster oven at 180 degrees F for about 3 hours. I turned them over at the halfway mark. You can also easily dry lemons, limes, oranges and grapefruit this way.

Step 2:

The covered wire I used to attach the tangerines is fine gauge so as not to tear the thin fruit slices.

A tangerine slice is lovely to put in your tea or hot cocoa. I drink hot water with lemon and ginger so the sweet citrus slice really adds a nice flavor. Plus, they really add a lot of color (& keep that color) to this very natural looking swag.

I put the slices on in a meandering pattern which I think is a bit more interesting to the eye. This piece can be used on a table, or hang vertically or horizontally.

Of course, this herbal swag looks best when made the day you’re giving it. It comes together in 15 minutes and cost me a total of $4.30 to make, because I got the edibles for free. It would make a wonderful hostess gift and the grapevine swag can be used for another project after the goodies have been enjoyed.

Step 3: You Can Follow Along While Watching the Video

Happy Yummy Holidays!

Nell