
Etrog, Resin & Righteousness: 3 DIY Sukkah Decorations That’ll Win Chag This Year
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So you survived Yom Kippur, and now it’s time to build a hut in your backyard and bedazzle it like it’s 1999. Welcome to Sukkot! The one Jewish holiday where eating outside under a leafy roof surrounded by dangling fruit and foam chains is not only encouraged – it’s halachically recommended.
But if your usual Sukkah decorations flair consists of a single sagging paper chain and a glittery pomegranate from preschool circa 2012, it’s time to up your game. This year, we're going full DIY – with Etrog slices, suncatchers, and resin magic.
And don’t worry. We’ll sprinkle in some halacha so you don’t accidentally disqualify your Sukkah by going too wild with the hot glue gun.
1. The Dried Etrog Wall Hanging: Haute Citrus for Holy Huts
Step Aside Macramé, the Etrog Is In Town
Ever finish Sukkot and think, “This etrog is way too pretty to rot in a compost bin”? Same. That’s where the Dried Etrog Wall Hanging comes in. Think boho farmhouse meets mitzvah.
You’ll need:
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Dried Etrog slices (here’s your post-Sukkot project!)
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An embroidery hoop
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Twine, hot glue, some wooden beads, and leafy ribbon
Design-wise, you’re essentially creating a mobile of mitzvah. The slices dangle like citrusy charms of holiness. Bonus points for adding gold-toned beads so your Sukkah looks like a Pinterest board got lost in Jerusalem.
Halacha Heads-Up: The 4 Tefachim Rule
If you hang this DIY-decoration wonder lower than four tefachim (12–16 inches) from the Schach (that leafy roof), it might start to function as its own mini “roof,” which could invalidate the Sukkah area below it.
So hang it high and proud. Think festive chandelier, not citrus room divider.
2. Resin Etrog Suncatchers: Because Crafting Is a Spiritual Sport
For Adults Who Own a Heat Gun and a First Aid Kit
This one’s for the grownups. If you’re into resin (or know someone who is), the Resin Etrog Suncatcher is your glow-up craft of the season. It’s elegant. It’s glossy. It says, “I may not have a glue stick, but I do own nitrile gloves and an understanding of polymer curing time.”
You’ll need:
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Dried Etrog slices (see a theme?)
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2-part clear resin
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Circle molds (coaster molds work!)
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Embellishments like gold flakes or baby’s breath
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A heat gun, gloves, respirator, and nerves of steel
Pour, set, decorate, and watch your creation cure into something museum-worthy. Drill a hole (gently), add a ribbon, and voilà – you’ve got yourself a Sukkah decoration that doubles as a conversation piece.
Halachic Note: It’s Not Just a Pretty Face
These are perfect to hang near your Schach but again, not too low. The 4-tefachim rule still applies. If it droops too low and covers a large area, you may be accidentally building a fancy resin roof. Stick to the halachically kosher zone: within 4 tefachim of the Schach and not covering too wide a space.
Safety First, Muktzeh Later
Planning to adjust that resin art mid-Chol HaMoed? Only if you made a tnai (verbal condition) before the holiday, stating that your Sukkah decorations aren’t off-limits (muktzeh). Otherwise, your resin masterpiece is spiritually glued in place.
3. Toddler-Friendly Suncatchers with Printable Templates: Because Even Two-Year-Olds Deserve Mitzvah Credit
Let the Kiddos Get Crafty (Without Ruining the Couch)
Enter: tissue paper suncatchers featuring Etrogim, Lulavim, and tiny Sukkahs – aka the Jewish answer to stained glass.
You’ll need:
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Black cardstock
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Tissue paper squares
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Clear contact paper
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Laminator (optional but makes you look like a pro)
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Free printable templates (yes, really!)
Cut the outline (Cricut for the win), stick it to contact paper, and let your tiny artists fill in the blanks with colorful tissue paper. Laminate and hang somewhere the sun can beam through – and your toddler can proudly say, “I made that.”
Halacha Hack: Laminating Is Basically a Mitzvah
These crafts are purely decorative, so as long as they’re not acting as actual walls or a roof, you’re in the clear halachically. But if you’re sticking them up before Yom Tov, declare your tnai: “These are beautiful and delightful and I reserve the right to move them if my toddler smears ketchup on them.”
And no, reading Kiddush off a suncatcher doesn’t count as improper benefit from the Sukkah wall. According to most poskim, using the Sukkah to do a mitzvah (like Kiddush) is exactly what the Sukkah is for.
Bonus Bling: Upcycle Your Sukkah the Smart Way
Not every decoration needs to be handmade. Here are a few extras to elevate your Sukkah from “Eh” to “Epic”:
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Hang string lights? Yes. Especially LEDs. Just don’t hang a lava lamp unless your rav specifically permits psychedelic ambiance.
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Tarp or mosquito net? Halachic gray area! If it’s for function, it might invalidate that part of the Sukkah. If it’s purely decorative, you’re likely fine – but keep it under 4 tefachim wide unless you enjoy late-night phone calls with your local rabbi.
The “Don’t Do This” List
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Hanging heavy fruit without reinforcement. There’s nothing quite like a rogue apple to the head during Kiddush.
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Skipping your tnai. Without it, your Sukkah decorations become muktzeh – aka untouchable until Simchat Torah cleanup.
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Over-decorating with non-decorative canopies. Remember: If it’s functional, it might ruin your Sukkah’s kosher status.
Wrap It Up Like a Lulav Bundle
Sukkot is the only time your decor can be sparkly, spiritual, and possibly citrus-scented – and everyone will applaud. So go ahead: hot glue your heart out. Hang those etrog slices like they're holy (because they kind of are). Let your toddler coat tissue paper with abandon.
Just remember:
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Measure your tefachim
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Declare your tnai
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And when in doubt, laminate it.
Because nothing says “Chag Sameach” like a waterproof wall hanging made from fruit you waved at shul.
Chag Sameach! May your Sukkah be cozy, kosher, and completely Pinterest-worthy.