How to Make Dried Orange Garland

Decorating for the holiday season using natural and minimal decor, is an easy, frugal and elegant way to transform your home into a winter wonderland. Dried orange garland adds a bit of Scandinavian flair with a pop of color too! This budget friendly garland will make your house smell wonderful and look great without costing you much!

How to Put Together This Elegant Dried Orange, Cinnamon and Pine Garland

With just a few simple items, this beautiful garland comes together. The reason I love this garland so much is that it smells great and looks pretty. The dried citrus really adds color to your decor in an elegant way.

Making the Dried Oranges

Start with 4-5 navel oranges. 

For this DIY project, you will need dry your own orange slices. I did this by using a dehydrator. For this method, I sliced the oranges into 1/4 inch slices and set the dehydrator at 140 degrees Fahrenheit. I then placed the orange slices in the dehydrator for 12 hours. (It’s easiest to leave them in overnight and use them in crafts the following morning)

How Do You Dehydrate Fruit Without a Dehydrator?

If you don’t have a dehydrator, don’t worry! You can still dehydrate your orange slices in the oven. Preheat the oven to 250 degrees Fahrenheit. Place sliced oranges on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Once the oven is heated, cook your oranges for 5-6 hours. Remove the oranges and allow them to cool completely before using them for crafts.

You know the oranges are done when they turn slightly brown and look dry.

Gathering Your Materials

Once your oranges have been properly dried, it’s time to assemble the garland! For this project your will need:

• Dried Orange Slices
• Cinnamon Sticks
• Pine Twigs
• Twine or Jute Cord
• Whole Cloves (optional)

Each of the above items is suggested but everything is optional. If you don’t like the smell of pine, cinnamon or cloves, feel free to not use them. However, I feel they all compliment one another in smell and I love the different elements in the garland.

If you don’t have access to fresh pine twigs, feel free to substitute with rosemary sprigs. You can use either fresh sprigs or dried sprigs.

Assembling the Dried Orange Garland

Putting this beautiful garland together is easy! For this garland I simply threaded the jute cord through the center of each orange, and tied it off at the top. Threading twine with a large needle through the flesh of the orange is also an option. I chose to do it this way because it was easy.

You can stack the oranges up against each other, or space them like I did. It’s really up to you!

Next I tied a cinnamon stick and pine twig together with the jute cord. The combination of scents is amazing and exactly how I feel the home should smell during the holiday season.

From there I simply went back and forth between cinnamon with pine twigs and dried oranges.

Adding Whole Cloves to The Dried Oranges

For me, I adore the smell of clove and orange. So, I decided to add whole cloves to the dried oranges. Using whole cloves, I simply stuck them into the flesh of the oranges. I chose to use two whole cloves for each orange slice. Again, this is optional, but really adds a strong aroma to the garland.

Once completed, this beautiful dried orange garland, with pine, cinnamon and clove, offers the aroma of the holiday season, a pop of color and an elegant, rustic decor piece. Make it your own by adding as many elements as you desire.

Hang this rustic piece of home decor on a wood mantel, window pane or above a cabinet. It’s really pretty, versatile, and because you made it, can be as long or as short as you need it!

You can even use fishing wire if you want the elements to appear to “float.”

INTERESTED IN MORE HOLIDAY DIY CRAFTS? Be sure to check out:

• Beautiful Pine Cone Garland
• Handmade Acorn Napkin Ring Rings
• Cinnamon Scented Pine Cones
• 6 Natural Fall Decorating Tips

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