How To Make Dried Orange Slice Christmas Ornaments
How to Make Dried Orange Slice Christmas Ornaments
Dried orange slice Christmas ornaments are one of my favorite simple and natural decorations to make for the holidays. They are inexpensive, easy to make, and look beautiful mixed with greenery and other traditional Christmas decorations.
I also love that this Christmas craft doesn’t require many supplies. With just a few oranges and some twine, you can make ornaments for your Christmas tree, a dried orange garland, or even decorations for wreaths and holiday centerpieces.
The process does take a few hours because the oranges need plenty of time to dry in the oven, but most of that time is completely hands-off.
Here’s exactly how I make dried orange slices for Christmas, along with a few different ways you can use them around your home.
Supplies for Dried Orange Christmas Ornaments
You only need a few simple supplies:
- Oranges
- Sharp knife
- Baking sheet
- Parchment paper or an oven-safe cooling rack
- Paper towels or a clean kitchen towel
- Natural jute twine
- Large needle
- Cinnamon sticks (optional)
- Orange essential or fragrance oil (optional)
If you’re only making ornaments, you won’t need much twine. If you’re making a long orange garland, make sure you have plenty.
How to Dry Orange Slices for Christmas
Step 1: Slice the Oranges
Start by cutting your oranges into thin, even slices.
Try to keep the slices fairly consistent in thickness so they dry at approximately the same rate. If some slices are much thicker than others, the thinner ones may be finished while the thicker slices are still holding moisture.
Remove any seeds you see as you go.
I also like choosing oranges with a bright orange peel because the color looks especially pretty against the green branches of a Christmas tree or garland.
I don’t use the very ends of the oranges because they don’t create the same pretty round slices.
Step 2: Remove Excess Moisture
Lay your orange slices on a clean towel or paper towels and gently pat them dry.
You aren’t trying to completely dry the oranges at this point. You just want to remove as much excess juice and moisture as possible.
This can help speed up the drying process once they go into the oven.
Step 3: Arrange the Orange Slices
Place the orange slices in a single layer on a baking sheet.
I like using an oven-safe cooling rack placed over the baking sheet when possible. This allows air to circulate underneath the oranges and can help them dry more evenly.
If you don’t have a rack, parchment paper on a baking sheet works too.
Just make sure the slices aren’t overlapping.
Step 4: Dry the Orange Slices in the Oven
Set your oven to around 180°F to 200°F, or use the lowest temperature your oven allows.
Place the orange slices in the oven and let them slowly dry for approximately 3 to 4 hours.
Check them periodically and turn or rotate the slices about once every hour so they dry evenly.
The exact drying time will depend on your oven, the thickness of your slices, and how much moisture is in the oranges.
You’ll know they’re getting close when they look dry rather than juicy and the centers no longer feel wet.
If some slices dry faster than others, simply remove those and allow the remaining slices to continue drying.
Step 5: Let Them Cool Completely
Once the orange slices are dry, remove them from the oven and allow them to cool completely.
If they still have a little moisture in them, you can leave them out in a dry area for another day or two before turning them into decorations.
It’s important for the slices to be completely dry before storing or decorating with them.
How to Make Orange Slice Christmas Ornaments
Once your oranges are completely dry, turning them into Christmas ornaments is incredibly easy.
Cut a small piece of twine and carefully thread it through the orange near the rind. Tie the ends together to create a loop.
That’s it!
You can hang the simple orange slices directly on your Christmas tree or dress them up a little more.
One of my favorite ways to decorate them is by adding a small cinnamon stick. Tie the cinnamon stick to the top of the orange slice with twine and leave enough extra twine to create a loop for hanging.
The combination of dried oranges, cinnamon, and greenery creates such a simple, old-fashioned Christmas look.
How to Make a Dried Orange Garland
You can also use the same dried orange slices to make a beautiful homemade Christmas garland.
Thread a large needle with a long piece of natural twine and carefully push the needle through each dried orange slice.
Continue adding oranges until your garland reaches the length you want.
You can space the oranges apart for a simple look or place them closer together for a fuller garland.
Hang your finished orange garland:
- Across a fireplace mantel
- On your Christmas tree
- Around a window
- Across a shelf
- Along a staircase
- Over a doorway
- Mixed into an evergreen garland
I especially love the way the orange color stands out against fresh or faux greenery.
More Ways to Decorate With Dried Orange Slices
You don’t have to stop at ornaments and garlands. Once you have a batch of dried oranges, you can use them in so many ways for Christmas decorating.
Add Them to a Christmas Wreath
Attach dried orange slices to a simple evergreen wreath using floral wire.
Mix in pinecones, cinnamon sticks, berries, or ribbon for a natural Christmas wreath.
Decorate a Christmas Tree
Tie individual orange slices directly onto the branches with twine.
You can also use small clips to attach them throughout the tree.
They look especially pretty with simple white lights, wood ornaments, pinecones, and other natural decorations.
Add Them to a Christmas Centerpiece
Scatter a few dried orange slices through greenery on your dining table or tuck them into a Christmas centerpiece.
It’s an easy way to repeat the same natural elements throughout your holiday decorating.
Decorate Christmas Gifts
Instead of buying more gift decorations, tie a dried orange slice onto a wrapped present with twine.
This looks especially pretty with simple kraft paper.
Add Them to Evergreen Garland
If you already decorate with pine or faux evergreen garland, tuck dried oranges throughout it for a little extra color.
You can use floral wire to keep the slices securely in place.
Tips for Making the Best Dried Orange Slices
After making these, I’ve found that a few simple things make the process much easier.
Cut the slices evenly. This is probably the most important tip. Even slices will dry at roughly the same rate.
Don’t rush the drying process. Low and slow works best. Turning up the oven temperature can cause the oranges to brown or cook rather than slowly dehydrate.
Remove slices as they finish. Not every orange slice will be ready at exactly the same time.
Let them dry completely. Any remaining moisture can cause problems later, especially if you plan to store the oranges.
Make extra. Once I have the oven going, I like making enough orange slices to use in several different Christmas decorations.
Do Dried Orange Ornaments Smell?
They smell wonderful while they’re drying in the oven, but the natural orange scent will eventually fade.
If you want to bring some of that scent back, you can add a small amount of orange oil to your dried slices.
Pairing them with cinnamon sticks can also add another cozy holiday scent.
How Long Do Dried Orange Christmas Ornaments Last?
The most important factor is making sure your orange slices are thoroughly dried.
I tend to think of these as natural seasonal decorations rather than something I need to keep forever. At the end of Christmas, I usually get rid of mine along with other natural decorations and make a fresh batch the following year.
That’s actually one of the things I enjoy about decorating this way. Instead of storing another bin of Christmas decorations all year, I can make something simple from natural materials when the Christmas season arrives.
A Simple Natural Christmas Decoration
Making dried orange slice Christmas ornaments is such a simple way to add a handmade touch to your Christmas decorating.
You don’t need a lot of supplies or crafting experience, and one batch of dried oranges can be used in so many different ways—from ornaments and garlands to wreaths, centerpieces, and gift wrapping.
I especially love how beautiful the oranges look against Christmas greenery. The bright orange color, natural twine, cinnamon sticks, and evergreen branches create a cozy Christmas look without needing a lot of extra decorations.
And when Christmas is over, I don’t have another box of decor to find room for.
Sometimes the simplest Christmas decorations end up being my favorites.
