Sukkot Napkin Rings from Dried Etrog!
Enjoy this tutorial for pretty Sukkot napkin rings using dried etrog slices! If you love this, check out my Sukkah poster coloring page. This post contains affiliate links.
Two years ago, right after Sukkot, I shared a tutorial for how to dry Etrog slices, promising you a few ideas for what to make with it. Then, last year, I shared this DIY Sukkah decoration from these slices.
Now I hope you’re ready for some more fun ideas because I’m stoked to share some DIY Sukkot napkin rings made using these dried Etrog slices. And I have more ideas up my sleeve to make this year – so if you haven’t yet saved those Etrogim to dry up, it’s time to think about doing just that!
Which materials should you use for your napkin rings base?
These beautiful napkin rings have a rustic, natural look that are fabulous for the outdoor theme of the Sukkah. This is because of the burlap ribbon base and the leaf ribbon. The burlap base is very stiff and holds its shape.
I didn’t think things through when purchasing paper goods last year, and got very modern, glam table settings.
I definitely recommend combining these with more of a rustic table scape, or using less rustic materials!
If you’re not a fan of the rustic, you can try making these on a ceramic, clay, or light wood base for a more modern look. Glue them to a wide ribbon and wrap around the napkin. Or, you can even try white burlap – the wider ribbon makes for a larger wrap too!
I do think that a 1.5 inch wide wired ribbon would also hold its shape in the same way that I used it in this tutorial, but I haven’t tried it.
Why dry Etrog slices?
The history of this idea of drying Etrog slices for crafts is simple: Etrogs are treated with loads of things to make them blemish-free and perfect for the Mitzvah. They are not necessarily considered safe for consumption.
I’m not about to tell you what to do or not to do, but I’m happy to share creative ideas and alternatives, including what we choose to do with our Etrog.
The premise is simple: what better way to repurpose the post-chag Etrog than to beautify the Sukkah, and the holiday table? Plus, the Etrog is not cheap…
But what if you want to make these but you didn’t dry your Etrog from last year?
And many of you may also be wondering how they hold up from year to year. I did share some ideas in my previous post for alternatives, but I’ll re-share them here. As for how they hold up: so far I’ve found that they last. I haven’t had an issue with mold or rotting, but I did make sure they were completely dried before storing.
Alternatives to dried Etrog for these napkin rings
A huge part of the charm of these Sukkot napkin rings are the fact that they are made from real Etrog. But if you can’t get those, it’s definitely still beautiful if you use other fruit slices! Look for potpourri mixes as opposed to edible ones.
I also don’t know if other options would attract bees. You may want to consider spraying them with vinegar first. The Etrog slices did not attract bees when we used them last year.
You can also try making these with plastic lemon slices – just read the size details on anything you buy online! Make sure you’re buying full-sized ones and not tiny resin-filler ones.
And if you’re great at crafting and/or painting, you can try making your own out of polymer or air dry clay!
What you need
- Burlap ribbon
- Leaf Ribbon
- Dried Etrog Slices
- Hot glue gun
- Recommended: finger guards for hot glue
- Fabric scissors
How to make Sukkot napkin rings
1. Cut a piece of burlap ribbon a few inches long. I recommend measuring around a napkin as you’d use it (or forming a circle to ballpark it). Add about a centimeter for overlap.
2. Add a bit of glue to the edge. I recommend working on a surface you don’t mind ruining, and wearing something to protect your fingers from the hot glue, since the burlap ribbon has lots of holes!
3. Form your ribbon into a ring. Glue on the end of your leaf ribbon in a hidden spot. This can be smack in the front (where you’ll be blocking it with the Etrog slice) or on the back seam where you closed the ribbon.
4. Wrap it around a few times, trim, and glue the other end in place also in a hidden spot.
5. Glue your Etrog slice to the front. You’ll notice that one side is much prettier than the other because the peel shows on that side. I recommend gluing it pretty side up!
Your DIY Etrog Slice napkin ring is done and ready to grace your Sukkah table!
Sukkot Napkin Rings from Dried Etrog!
Materials
Instructions
1. Cut a piece of burlap ribbon a few inches long. I recommend measuring around a napkin as you'd use it (or forming a circle to ballpark it). Add about a centimeter for overlap.
2. Add a bit of glue to the edge. I recommend working on a surface you don't mind ruining, and wearing something to protect your fingers from the hot glue, since the burlap ribbon has lots of holes!
3. Form your ribbon into a ring. Glue on the end of your leaf ribbon in a hidden spot. This can be smack in the front (where you'll be blocking it with the Etrog slice) or on the back seam where you closed the ribbon.
4. Wrap it around a few times, trim, and glue the other end in place also in a hidden spot.
5. Glue your Etrog slice to the front. You'll notice that one side is much prettier than the other because the peel shows on that side. I recommend gluing it pretty side up!
Your DIY Etrog Slice napkin ring is done and ready to grace your Sukkah table!
