Easy Homemade Christmas Dried Orange Garland Tutorial
How to Make a Beautiful Dried Orange Garland for the Holiday Season
What do you think of the rising popularity of the dried orange slice garland trend? For me, friends, it’s love! I first saw dried orange garlands last year and was immediately captivated by their beauty and simplicity. Turns out I’m late to the party – dried oranges have been used as decor since the Middle Ages! And no wonder—they’re a stunning way to bring natural elements into your holiday decor.
2024 Update* Since writing this post, I’ve started using a dehydrator, and I’m absolutely in love with it for drying oranges. The dehydrator makes the process so simple—set it and forget it! Drying the oranges at a low and steady temperature of 135°F for 9+ hours results in bright, vibrant orange slices without the browning that can sometimes happen with higher heat.
I use the Roots and Harvest BigBite Dehydrator, and it’s a game changer. It’s easy to use, straightforward to clean, and honestly, it earns a permanent spot on my counter because I find so many uses for it. To test the best way to preserve the color of the oranges, I tried three different methods: dipping one rack of orange slices in a sugar simple syrup, another in lemon juice, and leaving one rack plain. Surprisingly, they all turned out the same, leading me to believe that keeping the temperature low is the key to achieving those beautiful, bright orange hues.
If you don’t have a dehydrator, the oven works well too! Just keep in mind that most ovens don’t go as low as 135°F, so you may see some slight browning on your oranges. But they’ll still look lovely and work beautifully for garlands.
The Meaning Behind a Dried Orange Garland
Did you know that dried orange garlands have symbolic meaning? Orange slices symbolize the sun, which becomes more present after the winter solstice when the days begin to grow longer. This symbolism makes them the perfect addition to your holiday decor as they represent the return of light and warmth.
In many traditions, oranges are also believed to stimulate love, prosperity, and a sweet & happy life—all wonderful sentiments to bring into your home during the holiday season.
You can enhance the meaning of your garland by adding other botanical elements. For instance, cinnamon sticks symbolize warmth and healing, while pine cones represent growth and transformation. By combining these natural elements, you create not only a beautiful dried orange garland but one filled with intention and deeper significance.
Orange Garland the Right Way (No More 2 AM Surprises!)
My first attempt at drying orange slices didn’t go exactly as planned. I left them in the oven at the lowest temperature and went to bed—forgetting all about them until 2 AM! Thankfully, they didn’t burn, but let’s just say I learned my lesson. 😊
Now, after trying different ways, I’ve perfected the drying process. Keep in mind that ovens vary in temperature, so it might take a little bit of time to find what works best for you. Here’s how to do it right.
How to Dry Orange Slices for Garland
What you’ll need:
- Fresh oranges (whole oranges or blood oranges work well)
- Sharp serrated knife or mandoline slicer for even cuts
- Parchment-lined baking sheet or large cookie sheet
- Cooling rack (optional for faster drying)
- Paper towels for blotting moisture
- Clear fishing line, yarn needle, or string for threading
- Star anise, pine cones, or cinnamon sticks for decoration (optional)
Instructions:
- Slice the Oranges
Using a sharp knife or mandoline slicer, cut your oranges into thin slices. For a more minimal look, aim for thinner slices, but thicker slices work well too. Make sure they’re even so they dry consistently. - Pat Oranges Dry
Lay the sliced oranges in a single layer on a parchment-lined baking sheet. Pat each slice with a paper towel to remove excess moisture, which helps speed up the drying process. - Bake Low and Slow
Preheat your oven to 200°F. Place the oranges in the oven and bake for around 2 hours, flipping every 30 to 45 minutes. If you’re doing multiple sheets, rotate the pans each time you flip for even drying. The oranges will be ready when the rinds are dry and shiny. - Cool and Get Crafty
Once your oranges are fully dehydrated, let them cool on wire racks. You can store them in an airtight container until you’re ready to create your garland or ornaments.
Tips for Stringing a Perfect Dried Orange Garland
Here’s a quick tip I learned the hard way! Don’t punch holes in the center of your orange slices like I did at first. Instead, use a large needle to poke two small holes just below the rind. This ensures your oranges will hang correctly and not flip or twist.
You can also add holiday flair to your garland by mixing in cinnamon sticks, pine cones, wooden beads, or even whole cloves. Simply thread them alongside the dried orange slices for a beautiful addition to your natural Christmas decor.
Orange Slice Ornaments
You can use this same method to make orange slice ornaments! They’re a lovely garland alternative and a budget-friendly way to decorate your Christmas tree. After drying the citrus slices, glue on a few sprigs of greenery or a cinnamon stick for a festive touch. Use a large needle or thin wire to attach string or ribbon for hanging.
More Creative Ways to Use Dried Oranges in Holiday Decor
There are so many fun and creative ways to incorporate dried orange slices into your holiday crafts. Here are a few ideas:
- Dried Fruit Garland: Combine dried oranges with cranberries and pine boughs for a festive, rustic look.
- Holiday Gifts: Create handmade garlands or ornaments as thoughtful, low-cost holiday gifts.
- Simple DIY Projects: Use dried citrus fruits as table settings, or scatter them around your dining room for a warm, cozy vibe.
- Cranberry Garland: Mix your dried oranges with a cranberry garland for a stunning, color-rich display.
A Few Extra Tips
- If you want your oranges to dry even faster, you can use a dehydrator instead of the oven. Dehydrated oranges are a great option if you have a long string of DIY projects planned.
- Store any unused dried orange slices in an airtight container to keep them fresh for the following year’s holiday crafts.
- For a stronger garland, you can use clear fishing line or sturdy string.
- Looking for more ideas? Check out my Amazon affiliate links for tools and supplies to make your crafting easier (at no extra cost to you).
With just a little bit of time, you can create beautiful dried orange garland that will last for many holiday seasons to come. Whether you hang it on your Christmas tree, mantle, or doorway, it’s sure to become a holiday favorite.
How to Make a Dried Orange Garland
Equipment
- Sharp serrated knife or mandoline slicer
- Large baking sheet lined with parchment paper
- Cooling rack (optional)
- Paper towels
- Clear fishing line or yarn needle
Ingredients
- 4-6 fresh oranges blood oranges or regular
- Cinnamon sticks pine cones, or wooden beads (optional for decor)
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Set your oven to 200°F (93°C).
- Slice Oranges: Cut oranges into thin, even slices using a sharp serrated knife or mandoline slicer. Thinner slices will dry faster, while thicker slices create a bold, rustic look.
- Blot Excess Moisture: Pat both sides of the sliced oranges with paper towels to remove extra moisture, which will speed up the drying process.
- Arrange on Baking Sheet: Lay the slices in a single layer on a parchment-lined baking sheet. If you want to speed up the drying process, place a cooling rack on top of the parchment paper, then place the orange slices on the cooling rack.
- Bake and Flip: Place the baking sheet in the oven for 2-3 hours. Flip the orange slices every 30 to 45 minutes to ensure even drying. If you're drying two sheets at a time, rotate the pans for uniform heat distribution.
- Check for Doneness: The oranges are ready when the flesh of the orange is translucent, and the rinds are dry and shiny. If they still feel soft, continue drying in 15-minute increments.
- Cool and Store: Let the slices cool completely on a wire rack. You can store them in an airtight container if you're not assembling the garland right away.
- Thread the Garland: Use a yarn needle to poke two small holes near the top of each dried orange slice. Thread clear fishing line, string, or yarn through the holes, and space the slices evenly.
- Decorate: Optionally, thread in cinnamon sticks, pine cones, or wooden beads for extra holiday charm.
Notes
Honestly what I’ve shared is just the tip of the iceberg on what you can do with oranges! Get creative and make sure to share and tag me over on Instagram so I can reshape your creation in stories!
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