DIY Simple Dried Oranges for Christmas Decorating

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DIY dried orange slices, perfect for decorating your tree, making garland, adding to a wreath and more. 

Good morning friends! I’ve been like a little elf these past few weeks drying citrus, stringing cranberries and popcorn, and gathering pinecones, and sprigs of holly from my yard. The oranges turned out beautiful and when hung on the tree they look like stained glass, the cranberries and popcorn took forever to make and after a few days the cranberries shriveled up so I replaced them with cranberry colored wood beads. 

DIY Dried Oranges

Step 1: Preheat the oven to 250.

Step 2: Line baking pans with parchment paper.

Step 3: Slice the oranges with a serrated knife, about 1/8-1/4″ thick, then pat dry with a paper towel.

Step 4: After you dry the oranges place them on the baking sheet in a single layer.

Step 5: Place the oranges in the oven and bake for 3-4 hours or until the oranges start to turn slightly brown, a few of mine got very brown but that is ok.

Step 6: Let the oranges cool.

Step 7: Once the oranges are cooled you can use them for ornaments, garland, wreaths, to decorate gifts and more.

To make ornaments simply poke a hole in the top with a sharp object and string a length of twine thru the hole, tie a knot and hang on the tree. You can also poke two holes in the center and tie a cinnamon stick in the center then hang from the tree. 

Apples, limes, lemons and other citrus fruits can be dried as well. To make garland simply string the fruits and add cranberries, popcorn, nuts, pine cones, acorns or whatever else you like. 

The cranberries will shrivel up and dry the longer they are on the tree so just be aware of that, just in case that is not the look you were going for. 

 If you would like to use your oranges to make a wreath check out this tutorial from Better Homes & Gardens. To make a garland this is a great tutorial.

Tomorrow I will be sharing my cinnamon applesauce ornaments. 

Are you making any of your own ornaments this year? 

Have a great day!