The Sukkah Decorating Playbook: Simple Crafts with Big Impact

Some people count down to Sukkot for the arba minim.
Some people count down for the food.
And some of us? We’re just here for the decorating binge in the Sukkah.

If you’re tired of the same crinkled paper chains and that one faded pomegranate poster from 2009, let’s fix that. Grab your glue gun, your leftover etrog, and possibly a child or two to “help” (read: make a glorious mess).

We’re going to turn two simple ideas into a whole DIY Sukkah vibe:

1. Rustic Etrog Slice Napkin Rings for your table
   

2. Printable Lulav & Etrog Craft that doubles as a kid-friendly decoration

Both are easy, fun, and totally do-able even if your crafting level is “I own scissors, does that count?”

Why DIY Your Sukkah Décor at All?

Because Sukkot is literally the holiday where we move outside and pretend we’re in a Pinterest board.

Your Sukkah is meant to feel special, festive, and a bit magical. And while store-bought decorations are fine (no shade to the metallic grapes), there’s something amazing about:

• Using your own etrog after the chag instead of sadly watching it shrivel on the counter
  
  

• Letting the kids get hands-on with something that’s actually about Sukkot, not just generic “fall leaves”
  
  

• Creating pieces you can bring out year after year and say, “Oh, we made those that year when the glue gun almost took out Abba’s fingerprints.”

So let’s start with one of the most under-appreciated Sukkot upcycles: the post-chag etrog.

Project 1: Sukkot Napkin Rings from Dried Etrog Slices

The Glow-Up Your Etrog Deserves

You paid good money for that etrog. It survived pre-chag inspection, being waved in six directions, and at least one near-drop in shul. Let it retire in glory as part of your Sukkah décor.

Drying etrog slices and turning them into napkin rings is:

• Pretty – think soft yellow circles with that gorgeous peel showing

• On-theme – it’s literally part of the mitzvah set

• Waste-not-want-not energy – peak Jewish parent satisfaction

And if you didn’t dry last year’s etrog? No worries. You can start this year and feel extremely smug next Sukkot. Or use some clever substitutes (we’ll get there).

What You’ll Need

Think “rustic Sukkah table meets Pinterest farm chic”:

• Burlap ribbon – sturdy enough to hold its shape as a ring

• Leaf ribbon – faux greenery to wrap around and add texture

• Dried etrog slices – or other dried fruit / faux slices as stand-ins

• Hot glue gun – your new best friend

• Fabric scissors – because burlap laughs at regular scissors

Optional but highly recommended: finger guards for the hot glue. Burlap has holes. Hot glue finds them. Enough said.

How to Make Etrog Slice Napkin Rings (Without Losing Your Sanity)

You’re basically making mini wreaths for your napkins.

1. Cut your burlap “bracelet”
Cut a strip of burlap ribbon long enough to comfortably wrap around a rolled napkin, plus about a centimeter overlap so it can glue shut. Don’t stress about perfect measuring; Sukkot is not a precision sport.

2. Turn it into a ring
Add a line of hot glue to one end of the ribbon and wrap it into a circle. Overlap the edges and press them together. This will be the back seam. If it’s slightly lopsided, call it “handcrafted charm.”

3. Add the leafy wrap
Glue one end of your leaf ribbon over that seam or wherever you plan to hide things with your etrog slice. Wrap the leafy ribbon around the burlap ring a few times so it crisscrosses and adds some texture. Glue down the other end in another hidden spot.

4. Crown it with an etrog slice
Now for the star. Pick the prettiest side of your dried etrog slice (the one with the peel showing nicely). Add a dab of hot glue to the back and press it onto the front of your ring where the leaf ribbon looks best – or where it conveniently hides all your sins.

5. Repeat and admire
Make a set for however many people you’ll have around the table. Slide them onto rolled napkins and suddenly your table looks like it’s hosting a Sukkot photo shoot.

No Dried Etrog? No Problem

Maybe you forgot to dry your etrog. Maybe the kids “experimented” with it. You’ve still got options:

• Dried citrus slices from potpourri mixes

• Faux lemon/etrog slices (check sizes so you don’t end up with teeny-tiny dollhouse fruit)

• Polymer or air-dry clay slices if you’re crafty with paint

One note: if you’re using real dried fruit, consider lightly spritzing with vinegar before Sukkot to discourage bees from joining your seudah. Dried etrog slices often don’t attract them much, but better safe than swatting.

Project 2: Lulav & Etrog Craft for Kids (That Doubles as Decor)

Now that your table looks like it has its life together, let’s talk about the walls.

Kids love crafts. Kids love Sukkot. Kids also love waving things dangerously close to breakable items. This project combines all three in a safe, educational way: a printable Lulav and Etrog craft.

Why This Craft Is Genius

It’s not just cute – it’s actually a little mini Sukkot lesson. The printable is ideally designed in separate parts, so kids learn:

• The lulav holder in the center

• Three hadassim (myrtle) on the right

• Two aravot (willow) on the left

• Lulav in the right hand, etrog in the left

So they're not just coloring something vague and green. They’re learning the actual structure of the arba minim while crafting. Rabbi-approved vibes.

Two Versions: One for Them, One for When You’re Tired

You can use:

• A color-in version – kids get to color with crayons, markers, or our beloved bingo/Do-a-Dot markers. It doesn’t have to be neat. It just has to be enthusiastic.
  
  

• A full-color version – for when you want the craft without the mess. You print, cut, assemble, and boom: instant “toy lulav” plus décor.

Older kids can go full artistic genius with shading and details. Younger kids can just splatter color and feel very accomplished.

What You’ll Need

• Printable Lulav & Etrog template (color-in or full-color)

• Cardstock – regular printer paper works, but cardstock is sturdier

• Scissors – or a cutting machine like a Cricut if you want to get fancy

• Coloring tools for the outline version

How to Make the Lulav & Etrog Craft

1. Cut out the parts
Print the template onto cardstock and cut out the lulav base, hadassim, aravot, and etrog. There are slits in the lulav holder – make sure to cut those too, so everything can slide into place.

2. Color (if using the black-and-white version)
Let the kids go wild. Markers, crayons, watercolor, bingo markers – whatever you trust them with. No one said the hadassim can’t be neon green.

3. Assemble the lulav
Thread the branches through slits in the lulav holder:

• Three myrtles on the right side

• Two willows on the left side

• Lulav spine in the center

Adjust the slits if needed so everything fits snugly and the woven holder design is visible.

4. Add the etrog
The etrog piece can be held separately as a “play” etrog, or taped next to the lulav if you’re using it as a wall decoration.

Turn It Into Sukkah Decor

You can absolutely use this as a toy for kids to “practice” waving the lulav. But don’t stop there:

• Laminate the finished pieces, punch a hole at the top, and hang in the Sukkah

• Use a bit of string or twine to hang a whole “arba minim” garland

• Let each kid have their own version hung at their “spot” at the table

Instant personal connection to the mitzvah + colorful, custom wall art.

A Few Practical Tips Before You Craft

• Storage: Make sure any dried fruit is fully dry before you pack it away post-Sukkot. Air it out well, then store in a dry container.
  

• Bees & bugs: If your Sukkah tends to attract the local insect community, lean more on faux fruit for wall décor and use the real dried slices mainly indoors or on the table during meals.

Ready, Set, Decorate

With just some burlap, a few dried etrog slices, and a stack of printables, you can:

• Elevate your Sukkah table with handmade napkin rings

• Turn your kids’ energy into holiday-themed wall décor

• Give your etrog a second life as part of the mitzvah experience

And the best part? Next year, when you open the Sukkah box and find these creations waiting, you’ll remember not just the chag, but the laughing, gluing, coloring chaos that went into making it.