Are you looking for Christmas decorations that feel warm and natural without buying another ornament? Maybe you’re looking for something to diy this year? A dried orange garland is an easy Christmas craft that brings beautiful colors, rustic texture, and a lovely scent to your home.
The best part is that knowing how to make an orange garland is right here and simpler than you might think. All you need is an oven, a few oranges, some string and maybe a couple of other ingredients you already have in you home, you can create a beautiful decoration fro you tree, mantel or window.
This is one of the most visually impressive home decor ideas and diy that are not only affordable but easy to personalise and perfect for anyone who wants to start making there own holiday decorations.
If you enjoy making decorations from materials you already have or ones you can find outside. Explore these other Low-Waste Christmas Crafts for more simple, eco-friendly ways to decorate for the holidays.
What you need to make an orange garland
Gather these supplies before you start this ridiculously cute Christmas craft:
- 3-6 Oranges. Depending on the size of the garland you’re aiming for.
- A sharp knife or mandoline
- Reusable baking sheets (silicone pad) or parchment paper.
- Paper towels.
- Bakers twine, jute or thin ribbon.
- A large-eyed needle.
- Food Dehydrator (optional)
Fun optional extras.
You don’t need all these extras. Plain orange sleeves and twine look lovely on their own, especially in simple Scandinavian-style home and Christmas decor. It’s one of those Christmas crafts where a few inexpensive additions can make a big difference to the overall look.
- Cinnamon sticks, dried cranberries, bay leaves, star anise, rosemary, eucalyptus, wooden beads, or small pinecones.
How to make orange garland step by step.
Follow these simple steps to learn how ot make orange garland. The end result is a garland that looks beautiful and is ready to add to your Christmas decor.
- 1. Slice the oranges evenly.
- Before you even start cutting, preheat your oven to about 200°F (95°C.
- Slice the oranges into rounds about ⅛ – ¼ inch thick; remove any seeds you find.
- Try to keep the slices a similar thickness, so they dry at once. Thin slices dry faster than thicker ones, which often retain moisture in the center.
- 2. Dab away excess juice.
- Lay the orange slices between paper towels and gently press them to absorb any excess juice.
- This helps the slices dry more efficiently. Reducing the amount of moisture that needs to evaporate in the oven, which is very important for a longer-lasting orange garland.
- 3. Dry the slices slowly.
- Lay the slices in a single layer on parchment or Silpat-lined baking sheets, leaving a little bit of space between them. Bake for about 3- 5 hours, turning the slices halfway and rotating the trays.
- Ovens vary greatly, so think of the timing as an idea rather than a set time. The oranges should feel dry and firm, with no wet or soft spots; pay close attention to the middle.
- Allow the slices to cool completely before assembling
- 4. String your orange garland.
- Thread a large-eyed needle with twine and carefully pierce each slice near the upper edge close to the rind or throught the center, depending on how you want them to hang.
- Slide the slices along the string, spacing them out evenly. Because the holes are the same size as the thread, they won’t move.
- Leave around 6-10 inches of extra twine at both ends so you can hang the garland up.
- This is where you can add your extra decor. Alternate orange slices with cinnamon sticks, cranberries or small decorative additions.
- Make the garland suit your Christmas decor style.
How To Make Your Orange Garland Fuller & Smell Amazing.
Once you’ve learnt how to make orange garland, a few carefully chosen additions can change its entire look. These natural details are a great way to personalize your Christmas craft without buying a lot of extra decoration.
Raid your kitchen and craft supplies.
Cinnamon Sticks for a Classic Christmas Scent
Tie a couple of cinnamon sticks into tiny bundles and attach them between the orange slices.
The warmth of the brown is a great complement to the orange.
Making this an easy one for both traditional and rustic Christmas decorations.
Dried Cranberries, a Festive Pop of Red
Thread fresh or dried cranberries between orange slices. Dried will last longer and they have a deeper red color that is perfect for Christmas time.
The red and orange combination is absolutely festive perfection.
Bay Leaves for a Muted Green Addition
Bay leaves give an understated, old-fashioned look. This tightly packed short garland is a stunning addition to any space.
Dried bay leaves are easier to find, but fresh bay leaves are one of the only fresh options that still work. They will start bright green and, throughout the season, dry out and become more of a muted green.
Star Anise, A Festive Detail That Smells Amazing
The star shape of anise stands out wonderfully against the round orange slices. Add one every couple of slices to keep the pattern balanced but not overwhelmed.
Rosemary, Fir or Eucalyptus for Texture & Greenery
Small sprigs of rosemary, eucalyptus, fir, or pine give an orange garland a fuller, more natural look. Tuck them behind the slices or attach them with a knot to the twine.
Fresh greenery will dry out and shed over time, so use fully dried sprigs if you want to store the garland for later years.
Rosemary, fir, and pine are great free options; forage them from your garden or the forest. The fresh color is a wonderful darker green that really does pop with the slices.
Get a Minimal Look with Wooden Beads
Wooden beads are a great alternative or addition to fruit and spices. Alternate a couple of beads with your orange slices for a clean Scandinavian-inspired Christmas garland.
This is also the perfect option if you prefer less busy decorations. It’s also great if you’re collecting simple home decor DIY ideas for a neutral or minimal Christmas aesthetic.
For more of a pared-back look, these Minimalist Christmas Decorating Ideas Inspired by Scandi Homes show how natural textures and a few thoughtful decorations can make a space feel festive without looking cluttered.
Dried Apples, Lemons, or Pears for a Slice of Variety
Introduce more shapes and colors to your garland with different types of winter fruits.
Lemons add a pale yellow, almost gold accent while apples and pears are reminiscent of old-fashioned dried fruit garlands.
This look is very cottagecore or rustic, but it is also equally beautiful in a modern home.
Once again, make sure every slice is fully dried before stringing. The process is the same as for the orange slices.
Tiny Pinecones, Adorable & Rustic
Tie small (or large) pinecones onto the twine; this is great for mantels and staircases. The pinecones add a bit more weight to give your garland a great fall and swoop.
Orange Garland Combinations to Try
If you’re not sure which pieces to add to your orange garland? Try one of these combinations to give your cute Christmas craft a different look.
- Classic Christmas Style
- Bundle orange slices, cinnamon sticks, dried cranberries, and rosemary together and tie them to twine or ribbon.
- Rustic Farmhouse
- Orange slices, small pinecones, cinnamon and bay leaves.
- Minimal Scandinavian
- Orange slices, natural wooden beads, and the occasional touch of greenery.
- Old Fashioned Fruit Garland
- Dried oranges, apples, pears, cranberries and star anise.
- Warm Kitchen Style
- Dried oranges, apples, pears, cranberries and star anise.
Where to Hang Your Orange Garland
One of the best things about knowing how to make an orange garland is that now you can use it to decorate so many spaces in your home.
These simple display options add a lot to your seasonal decorating, whether your home is rustic, modern or a bit of everything.
You can carry the same natural, cozy look into the rest of your home with these Simple and Festive Christmas Living Room Ideas.
Drape it loosely across the mantel. Add a few simple Christmas decor items for a rustic minimal display.
Hang it along the top of a window where the light can shine through the dried citrus.
Wind the garland around the branches; this is a great display idea for a tightly packed garland. Really lets your orange garland shine.
Combine with evergreen branches and a couple of brass candlesticks. This is a lovely idea for smaller homes where a full mantel display isn’t really an option.
For more inspiration on styling your finished decoration, take a look at these Christmas Garland Ideas for Your Fireplace and see how different garlands can transform a mantel.
How to Store Your Dried Orange Garland
- The most important part of being able to keep your orange garland the following year or longer and reducing the risk of molding is making sure that they are completely dry before storing them. Over the season, they might take on moisture from the air; re-drying them is ideal before storing.
- Keep them somewhere dry and away from moisture by storing them in a breathable bag like a paper bag or pillowcase and placing them in a dry room. After Christmas, inspect each slice for signs of mold, dampness, or deterioration.
- These Christmas decorations are completely compostable; if they don’t last the season through, put them in your compost or local food scrap bin.
Make Your Own Natural Christmas Garland
Learning how ot make orange garland is a simple, affordable way to bring some natural colors and textures into your Christmas decorating. Keep them plain with simple twine or add cinnamon for a traditional look or mix in greeerny an dries fruits for a more detailed look.
If you enjoy affordable Christmas crafts and practical home decor ideas and diy ideas, this is a lovely project that helps bring your homemade Christmas decoration together into a cohesive look.
Start with simply dried orange slices and twine or ribbon, then add an extra element or two to create a cute Christmas craft that suits your home.
If you’re looking for more affordable ways to decorate, try these DIY Christmas Decorations on a Budget for more handmade ideas to try at home