How To Turn A Batch Of Lemons Into An Elegant Centerpiece For Your Dining Table

We've all heard the saying, "When life gives you lemons, make lemonade," but why not take those lemons and make a stunning summery centerpiece for your table instead?  Lemons are a seriously versatile fruit that can be used in myriad ways to flavor your favorite dishes and drinks, as a natural cleaner and deodorizer, and for its health benefits, but they're also a bright and sunny fruit that gives your tablescape an instant glow-up. This trendy centerpiece is made from skewered citrus suspended over a vase that resembles a topiary.

Lemons are often associated with the breezy, sunny vibe of the Amalfi coast, where the fruit is found everywhere, especially paired with blue and white designs on dresses and ceramics (you can even find a Mediterranean-inspired line of kitchenwares from Dollar General's playful lemon-themed products).

The most common type of lemon at the grocery store is either the Lisbon or Eureka lemon or the thin-skinned mandarin orange/lemon hybrid Meyer lemon. This summer season, a new lemon-focused decorating trend is sweeping social media and all you need to create an eye-catching centerpiece is a dozen lemons, some bamboo skewers, a decorative vase, and some foliage.

You can create an elegant dining table centerpiece using a silver-plated ice or wine bucket, decorative ceramic vessel or urn, or a vase with a large mouth as your base. Put one lemon on each end of a  bamboo skewer (you'll need several skewers with lemons on both ends). Place the skewer across the top of the container opening (top to bottom). Place the second lemon skewer across the first one, balancing it in a left to right direction (so it makes a plus sign). 

Repeat with two more skewers making an "X" on the diagonal of the cross shape so that eight lemons sit on the edge of the container and create a base. Next, take shorter skewers, also with a lemon on each end, and repeat the stacking process. Depending on the amount of space left to fill in the empty space, keep adding skewered lemons or pile a few lemons in, ending with one lemon at the top. Fill in the gaps with flowers or greenery. Voila! With a few simple steps, you've used a batch of lemons to create an elegant centerpiece (and later, you can make the best lemon recipes with the fruit).