Cinnamon-Apple Wreath

Adorn your door with this festive holiday wreath and welcome your guest with apples, cinnamon spice and everything nice. MORE + LESS -

small apples, 2 1/2 inches in diameter

Lemon juice or Lemon-lime soda pop

Wire rack

Spray varnish, if desired

cinnamon sticks, 10 inches long

Straw wreath, 10 inches in diameter

yards 3/4-inch ribbon or 8 (3 1/2-inch) cinnamon sticks

Glue gun and glue sticks

Silk leaves

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1

Heat oven to 200ºF. Cut apples lengthwise from stem end through core into 1/4-inch slices. Dip apples into lemon juice to prevent browning; place on wire racks. Carefully place wire racks on oven rack. Bake 4 hours.
2

Remove wire racks from oven and place on heatproof surface. Let apples stand about 2 hours or until completely dry. Place dried apples on waxed paper. Coat each side with 2 light coats of spray varnish, following manufacturer's directions.
3

Tie 10-inch cinnamon sticks together. Attach to front of wreath with 6 inches of the ribbon. Glue dried apple slices and 3 1/2-inch cinnamon sticks to front and side of wreath, using glue gun. Attach leaves to ribbon on 10-inch cinnamon sticks. Make a bow with the remaining ribbon, and attach to wreath. Attach wire hanger if desired.

Make the dried apples ahead of time. When it's time to make the wreath it will all come together in a snap.
Pick up Rome apples for this project. With their pretty red skin and white flesh they are particularly nice in this wreath, though other types of apples are also attractive.
Throw a holiday tea party when you make this wreath. Enjoy cinnamon-spiced tea and conversation while the apples are drying. Or dry the apples the day before, and start assembling wreaths as soon as guests arrive. Either way, guests will enjoy making these apple-and-cinnamon wreaths.