How to Make Dried Orange Slice Garland
Bring cozy charm to your holidays with a DIY dried orange slice garland — natural, fragrant, and oh-so-pretty on your tree or mantle!
This dried orange garland is an easy project to create this year. These lovely garlands make gorgeous holiday decor!
This year, I decided to host the Twelve Days of Christmas Crafts on Instagram and we had so much fun! We’ve made a ton of crafts to go along with my DIY tree collar and holiday ribbon picks!
I love natural holiday crafts and this orange garland has officially stolen my heart! There’s something so magical about dried fruit, cinnamon sticks, and twine during the holiday season.
It makes the whole house smell like Christmas morning and gives your decor that old-fashioned charm that you just can’t buy at the store. I strung some up in the kitchen, hung a few longer strands on the Christmas tree, and even added them to wrapped gifts for that Pinterest-worthy look.
Too busy to make this right away? Pin it for later! Pin this post to your favorite board on Pinterest and it will be there when you’re ready!
Why You’ll Love This Project
Making a DIY dried orange slice garland is not only simple but also seriously satisfying. You’ll love the way the oranges glow when the lights hit them, the rustic beauty of the wood and twine, and the fresh, woodsy touch of herbs and spices tucked in between.
Plus, it’s a craft that everyone can help with, from kids and teens to adults. These garlands double as orange slice ornaments and can even be reused next year if you store them properly! Trust me — once you start making these, you won’t want to stop!
You are going to want to make a whole bunch of these this holiday season! They are perfect for decorating your space or embellishing a homemade gift.
Be sure to check out the twig star tree topper, holiday wooden cutting board signs, and scrap wood ornaments too.
How to Make Dried Orange Slice Garland
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Supplies
- Dried orange slices – Bright, citrusy little slices that make the garland pop.
- Dried cranberries – Add a burst of color between the oranges.
- Twine or clear fishing line – The backbone of your garland.
- Yarn needle – Makes threading way easier.
- Wooden beads – A natural touch that breaks up the colors.
- Cinnamon sticks – Smell amazing and look rustic.
- Pine boughs or rosemary – Greenery for texture and fragrance.
Start by drying the fruit for this Christmas craft. Oranges and cranberries are fairly easy to dry and make a beautiful addition to this simple garland.
I used my trusty food dehydrator, but it isn’t necessary to have one for this project. This is the perfect way to add natural elements to your Christmas decor.
Instructions
1. Slice oranges into 1/4″ rounds, blot with paper towel, and place them on a parchment paper-lined baking sheet.
2. Spread fresh cranberries around the oranges in a single layer so that they dry at the same time. Bake in the oven at 200°F for about 5 hours. Once done, let everything cool on a cooling rack.
3. Thread twine onto a yarn needle (or use a toothpick or skewer if you don’t have one). Tie a knot at the end.
4. Use a sharp knife or toothpick to make holes in the orange slices and string them, along with cranberries, wooden beads, pine boughs, and cinnamon sticks.
Tip: The easiest way to attach cinnamon sticks and rosemary or pine is to tie a knot around it using the twine.
5. Finish off each string of fruit garland with a loop of twine at the end.
Orange Slice Ornaments
We made a number of garlands and crafts with these supplies! The dehydrated fruit can be stored in an airtight container for a long time. I still have citrus slices from last year!
I hung five strands of dried orange slice garland from a branch to create this festive wall hanging.
The mixture of texture and color is absolutely gorgeous!
We also created a longer garland using just twine, oranges, and wooden beads. This would make a lovely natural garland for the Christmas tree.
This orange garland would also be lovely hanging from the cabinets in the kitchen or dining room.
Tips and Tricks
- Flip the orange slices halfway through baking so they dry evenly and to prevent one side from browning too much.
- For faster drying, crack the oven door open slightly and let the warm air circulate.
- Add a sprinkle of ground cinnamon to your orange slices before baking for extra fragrance.
- If you want a glossy look, brush slices with a tiny bit of honey before drying.
- Store extra slices in an airtight jar with a silica packet to keep them fresh.
- Alternate sizes of slices for a more natural, rustic garland.
Dried orange ornaments are very simple to make as well. They are basically just a shorter garland.
These are so pretty hanging from the Christmas tree or added to gifts!
And finally, we used leftover supplies to make stovetop potpourri to give to the neighbors this year! We added a variety of aromatic spices to a mason jar and attached a tag with instructions.
Our Stovetop Potpourri Recipe
- 2 dried orange slices
- 12 dried cranberries
- Cinnamon stick
- 2 Tbsp cloves
- 2″ pine bough
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More Essentials for Holiday Crafts
- We love using these Apple Barrel acrylic paints to add bright color to all of our projects.
- These paint brushes are ideal for most craft surfaces and a great price!
- This art supplies kit is our favorite because it has everything we needed to get started.
- This rolling storage cart helps to keep our craft supplies organized.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long do dried orange slice garlands last?
If stored in a cool, dry place, your garland can last up to 2 years. Keep it in an airtight container when not in use.
Do dried orange slices attract bugs?
Not usually! As long as they are fully dried and stored properly, they won’t attract pests.
Can I make dried orange slices without an oven?
Yes! You can use a dehydrator or even air-dry them, though the oven method is quicker and more reliable.
Why did my oranges turn brown?
This usually happens if your oven temperature is too high or if you left them in past the 5-hour mark. Stick to low heat and check periodically.
What else can I do with dried orange slices?
Besides garlands, use them as orange slice ornaments, in stovetop potpourri, or to garnish holiday cocktails.
If you love this easy dried orange slice garland, please give it a five-star review and help me share it on Facebook and Pinterest!
How to Make Dried Orange Slice Garland
Materials
- Dried orange slices
- Dried cranberries
- Twine or fishing line
- Yarn needle
- Wooden beads
- Cinnamon sticks
- Pine boughs or rosemary
Instructions
- Simply slice oranges into 1/4″ rounds, blot excess moisture with paper towel, layer on a parchment paper-lined baking sheet and bake in the oven for 5 hours at 200 degrees.
- Spread fresh cranberries around the oranges in a single layer to dry at the same time. Lay them out on a wire rack to cool.
- Thread twine onto a yarn needle, tie a knot at one end, and thread dried oranges, wood beads, cinnamon sticks, and pine boughs onto the twine.
- Use a sharp knife to carve a small hole into each of the dehydrated oranges and use the large needle to string with the cranberry garland.
- Finish off each string of fruit garland with a loop of twine at the end.
Video
Notes
- Flip the orange slices halfway through baking so they dry evenly and to prevent one side from browning too much.
- For faster drying, crack the oven door open slightly and let the warm air circulate.
- Add a sprinkle of ground cinnamon to your orange slices before baking for extra fragrance.
- If you want a glossy look, brush slices with a tiny bit of honey before drying.
- Store extra slices in an airtight jar with a silica packet to keep them fresh.
- Alternate sizes of slices for a more natural, rustic garland.
