The Rural Legend
- Nov 19, 2020

Dried Orange Garland

I'm always trying to find décor that transitions beautifully from one season to the next - specifically fall into winter. It cuts down on the expense of having 2 different seasons to style for and also saves on time because there is less to take down and redo. When I find something I can also make myself, that is a major bonus!

This week is my beautiful mama's birthday and I thought, what better way to celebrate with her than to do a little crafting together?! My mom has a real gift for décor and DIY. We don't always see eye to eye on style - she leans toward a country aesthetic, I'm more contemporary. But her talent is undeniable when it comes to creating a stunning centerpiece arrangement or a gorgeous front door wreath.

This delicate dried orange garland works well in both of our worlds and I'm so excited to include it in my holiday décor this year! And can I just tell you, the smell it absolutely incredible! You can easily make this garland in an afternoon. Having a hot cup of coffee and someone to chat with is a great way to pass the time while the oranges dry.

what you need

oranges - we used navel and mandarins
mandolin or sharp knife - I LOVE this mandolin
baking sheets - my mom and I both use this brand
parchment paper OR wire baking racks
oven
fishing line or twine - I bought this twine. I will use this all season!
large needle

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how to make it

Preheat oven to 200.

Cut your oranges 1/4 inch thick and lay out in a single layer on parchment lined baking sheets. UPDATE: I baked them on wire racks and this helped them to dry faster.

Pat oranges with a dry paper towel to absorb any moisture.

Bake for 2 hours or until the oranges turn slightly brown. I checked on them every half hour and rotated my baking sheets so that they dried evenly. Note, if your oranges are thinner they will brown faster, so keep an eye on them!

Let them cool on a baking rack and string with fishing line or twine. *note - I found that it helped to let them sit out overnight and string them the following day. They were less sticky.

I made 2 strands of garland for my home - one for my mantle and one to add to the greenery above my kitchen window. I love how they turned out! I love the combination of the 2 types of oranges. It gives the garland great contrast in size and color. Blood oranges would look stunning too!

For more garland inspiration, check out these posts!

frequently asked questions

do I need to spray my oranges?

I have never sprayed mine and they hold up just fine!

do they attract fruit flies?

I have also never had an issue with any type of bugs with my oranges. Just make sure your slices are thoroughly dried out.

How should I store my slices?

I store my garlands by hanging them over the end of one of our wire storage racks in the basement. For loose slices, store them in a container in a cool dry place. But make sure they've been dried and in the open air for quite a while before storing!

Will the oranges darken?

I have noticed that the oranges I made 2 years ago have darkened to a pretty brown tone, which I will still use. But I will definitely make some fresh ones for that gorgeous pop of color every year because they're so easy to make! The image directly below is of freshly dried slices. The photo below that has oranges that air dried for over a year.

What DIY projects do you have planned for the upcoming holiday season? If you're looking for more holiday inspiration make sure to start here! And, Happy Birthday Mom! Thank you for supporting me in everything I strive to do. I love you so much! Make sure to subscribe at the bottom of the page to receive email updates when new posts are published! And don't forget to follow along on Instagram for more easy DIY's, home styling tips, and a peek inside our every day life!

xoxo, L