Dried Orange Garland

This past month has been full of cozying up and decorating for Christmas, my favorite holiday! Creating a dried orange garland was at the top of my DIY list. I may be biased, considering it is my birthday, but I have always found Christmastime to be so magical, even as an adult. Growing up, we typically put our Christmas decor in the same places every year, but considering we moved about every three years, we were always coming up with new creative ideas. Last Christmas, Chris and I had only been married and in our home for 4 months, but this year, it feels like we have finally had time to settle in and make it a place where we love spending time. I’m sure COVID is largely to blame (or credit?) for that.

Decking the Halls!

I ended up making two dried holiday orange garlands this year to give our Christmas magic an old fashioned, homey touch. One is over our fireplace, layered on a green cedar garland from Trader Joes, a $1.50 string of wooden beads from Salvation Army, and Wondershop Globe Dewdrop lights from Target. I’m loving it, but let me tell you, that cedar garland was beyond crispy within the first few days, thanks to the hot fire. No matter. We just don’t look too closely and it’s just fine.

Dried orange garland number two is in our kitchen and is definitely stealing the show. I wanted to try the cute little globe lights in the living room, but they just don’t even come close to the warm glow of the good ole fashioned (non-LED) Christmas lights. It only took a year of living here, but this built in shelving is finally starting to look less cluttered and more put together!

SO. Do you want to jump in with me to make a garland for your tree or some other space inside or outside your home? (This would look so good layered on a front porch green garland!) It is beyond easy, I promise. You just need a couple of hours where you are home to let these slices dehydrate in the oven. AKA, enjoy a couple of episodes of your latest Netflix binge.

Holiday Dried Orange Garland -What you will need:

• Oranges and/or mandarines (I used both for size variation)
• String of some sort (twine, fishing wire, baking string, etc.)
• A large threading needle (make sure your string can fit through the eye). Michaels has these for about $2.00.

Pre-heat your oven to 250^o. Line a baking sheet (or two) with parchment paper.

Thinly slice the oranges. The thinner you slice, the faster they will dehydrate.

Pat them dry on both sides and then place them in the oven.

Flip your oranges every half an hour for two to three hours. Let them cool completely before stringing. I recommend waiting overnight as I have found they are less sticky that way! Thread your string in one side of the orange and then back out the other so that your oranges lay flat.

Voila! The easiest Christmas craft ever. I’d love to see what you make! Tag me on social media @wherewegather_!

For more natural, fragrant, DIY projects, check out Fresh Eucalyptus Steaming – Bringing the Spa to You. We could all use an easy little self-care moment.