42 Best Fresh & Dried Orange Decorations For Christmas

How to make dried orange slices & ideas for Thanksgiving and Christmas decorations, crafts & gifts like citrus ornaments, wreath, garland, potpourri etc!

November and December are magical times of the year. Not only do we have Thanksgiving and Christmas, we also have a glorious citrus season in winter! So it’s only natural that so many people love the festive look and sweet fragrance of Thanksgiving and Christmas decorations and gifts made from oranges and other citrus fruits. 

How to make dried orange slices & ideas for Thanksgiving Christmas decorations, crafts & gifts like citrus ornaments, wreath, garland, potpourri etc!

You know how much we LOVE natural decorations such as these 24 gorgeous fall leaf decor & crafts! Today we are going to look at some beautiful natural decor, crafts and gifts you can make using fresh and dried orange slices and citrus fruits to celebrate the holiday season.  

People say you can’t have your cake and eat it too. I am not sure I agree with that, but I do know when it comes to oranges, yes, you can have your oranges and eat them too! 🙂

Making and storing dried citrus slices

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Making and storing dried citrus slices

Let’s start with dried citrus slices. While oranges are the most popular type to make dried citrus spices for decorations and gifts, there are many citrus colorful varieties you can use, such as lemon, lime, grapefruit, and blood orange. Via Short Girl Tall Order

How to make dried orange slices in oven or dehydrator 

Cut citrus and orange slices to 1/4″ thick, and bake them at 170F – 200F for 3-6 hours depending on the size of the citrus. Lower temperature is better.

How to make dried orange slices in oven or dehydrator 

If you have a dehydrator, the gentle heat will really help to preserve the colors of the orange slices, although it can take 8-12 hours. Via Ella Clair

Store dried citrus & orange slices in a closed container or zip-loc bag in the fridge or dark cool space. If dried properly, they will last several years.

Dried orange Christmas tree ornaments farmhouse decor

Dried orange Christmas tree ornaments farmhouse decor

Natural orange slices are perfect Christmas tree ornaments in a vintage farmhouse galvanized tin bucket. Via Maison De Cinq

Easy DIY dried orange ornaments

Easy DIY dried orange ornaments

You can also gather some evergreen branches in a simple vase, and hang your dried orange Christmas ornaments on the greenery cuttings. Via HGTV

Dried orange slices Christmas tree ornaments

Christmas tree with dried orange garland

You can also string the dried orange slices into a garland to decorate a real or faux Christmas tree. Source

Christmas tree decorated with dried citrus slices

Christmas tree decorated with dried citrus slices

How about an entire Christmas tree decorated with dried citrus slices? This Xmas living room must smell amazing! Via Tidbits Cami

How to make dried orange ornaments 

How to make dried orange ornaments 

Dried orange slices are beautiful on its own as Christmas ornaments hanging from a piece of twine or string. You can also add other aromatic elements such as cinnamon, rosemary, pine, or eucalyptus to your citrus ornaments. Tutorial here.

Decorate with dried orange slice Christmas ornaments 

Decorate with dried orange slice Christmas ornaments 

You can hang these dried orange ornaments in so many places around the house, such as on Christmas trees, stockings, cabinet knobs, bedroom headboard etc! Tutorial here.

Dried orange potpourri 

Dried orange potpourri

One of the most wonderful things about Thanksgiving and Christmas is the smell of the holiday season. You can make your home smell like the holidays with a potpourri blend of dried orange slices, cinnamon, woodsy pine or rosemary, and cranberries. Tutorial here.

Fresh citrus simmer pot for Christmas & Thanksgiving

Fresh citrus simmer pot for Christmas & Thanksgiving

You can use dried or fresh citrus for a simmering potpourri at Thanksgiving and Christmas. The combination of fresh citrus, apples, cranberries, fresh pine, and cinnamon sticks create a delicious natural smell. Tutorial here.

Christmas potpourri gift ideas with dried orange slices

Christmas potpourri gift ideas with dried orange slices

Imagine how nice your home would smell during the holiday season? Dried citrus Christmas potpourri blends are also the perfect homemade gifts. They can be used as fragrant decorations in a bowl, or simmering in a pot to make the entire house smell happy and festive. Via Country Hill Cottage

Dried orange garland decorations for Thanksgiving and Christmas 

Dried orange garland decorations for Thanksgiving and Christmas

Add some LED string lights and eucalyptus to your dried orange garland for simple and beautiful Christmas decor. ( Original source lost. Please let me know if you find it!)

Christmas kitchen decorations with dried orange garland

Christmas kitchen decorations with dried orange garland

What better way to decorate a Christmas kitchen than a natural DIY dried orange garland hanging over the window frame? This garland would look beautiful whether your decorating style is modern, boho, farmhouse, or vintage! Via Rural Legend

Orange garland decorations for Fireplace mantel 

Citrus Orange garland decorations for Fireplace mantel 

This heirloom Christmas decoration garland over a fireplace mantel is made with dried orange slices. Such a beautiful mix of boho glam and rustice charm by House of Jade.

How to make dried orange garland 

How to make dried orange garland 

There are many ways to make a dried citrus garland. One of the easiest ways is to string all the dried citrus slices together. Via Rocky Hedge Farm

make dried citrus garland

Another ways to make dried citrus garland is to make individual ornament pieces then tie or glue each piece onto a longer string. Tutorial here.

Dried citrus wall hanging decorations 

Dried citrus wall hanging decorations 

Hang multiple citrus garlands on a branch to make festive wall decorations for Christmas and Thanksgiving. Via Tastemade

Dried orange slice garland are natural and inexpensive handmade Christmas decorations

Dried orange slice garland are natural and inexpensive handmade Christmas decorations.  They look beautiful as holiday mantel decor, Christmas tree ornaments, or hanging art on a door or wall.

Natural decorations for Thanksgiving and Christmas 

I love natural boho style Thanksgiving and Christmas decorations.

boho Natural decorations for Thanksgiving and Christmas

This beautiful table setting and chandelier is made with natural orange slices , star anise, evergreen leaves such as olive and bay tree. Source

Make dried citrus wreath for Thanksgiving and Christmas decorations 

Make dried citrus wreath for Thanksgiving and Christmas decorations 

This lovely winter citrus wreath is made with an aromatic blend of dried citrus slices, spices and herbs on a grapevine wreath form. Via Salt in My Coffee

DIY dried Orange wreath 

DIY dried Orange wreath 

Mix dried orange slices with pine cones and evergreen conifer branches to make this to make this natural orange wreath for Thanksgiving and Christmas. Via Hallstrom Home

Easy Christmas wreath with dried orange slices

Easy Christmas wreath with dried orange slices

To make a really simple orange wreath, use hot glue to attach dried orange slices an embroidery hoop. Via Claire K Creations

Use dried orange slices for natural Christmas gift wrapping 

Use dried orange slices for natural Christmas gift wrapping 

These cinnamon and dried orange slice gift tags look beautiful and festive on brown paper gift wrap. Via Maiden Creek.

dried orange slices with forest green ribbons to make elegant Christmas gift wrapping

Pair some dried orange slices with forest green ribbons to make elegant Christmas gift wrapping. Via Clean & Scentsible

Use oranges to make centerpieces for Thanksgiving and Christmas 

This orange table centerpiece is so easy, and you can eat the oranges after! Via Hey Let’s Make Stuff.

Use oranges to make centerpieces for Thanksgiving and Christmas

For more ideas like this, check out our 35 best Thanksgiving table decorations you can make easily!

Make a Christmas tree with oranges 

Make a Christmas tree with oranges 

This lovely Christmas tree table decor is made with oranges studded with spicy cloves and a woodsy burst of pine and spruce. The sweet smell of the holidays! Via Freutcake

Orange topiary Christmas tree table decorations

Orange topiary Christmas tree table decorations

Another variation of a DIY Christmas tree made with oranges! Note the various patterns you can create with cloves on oranges, and the addition of LED string lights and paper star tree-topper. Via sweetlilyou.com (site not available as of 10/2022)

How to make clove studded oranges 

How to make clove studded oranges 

Clove studded oranges are also know as orange pomander balls. You can create clove studded patterns directly on an orange. Via An Indigo Day

DIY orange pomander ball decorations

DIY orange pomander ball decorations

You can also use a garnishing tool like this to create patterns on the oranges then add cloves for accents. Display your fresh orange pomander balls during the day and refrigerate them at night to prolong their freshness. Via First Day of Home

Thanksgiving and Christmas centerpiece table decor with oranges

Thanksgiving and Christmas centerpiece table decor with oranges

Put your lovely clove studded oranges in a bowl , add some small pine cones and greenery to make an easy DIY Thanksgiving or Christmas centerpiece. Tutorials here and here.

clove studded oranges in a bowl

DIY fresh orange and eucalyptus wreath

Some of my favorite winter and Christmas wreaths are decorated with whole oranges!

DIY fresh orange and eucalyptus wreath for Thanksgiving and Christmas

Making your own live wreath is fun and rewarding. This fresh orange and eucalyptus wreath looks modern and stylish for Thanksgiving and Christmas. Via Louise Roe

 how to make a fresh Christmas wreath easily from natural greenery

Here’s a tutorial on how to make a fresh Christmas wreath easily from natural greenery!

Easy DIY orange wreath

Easy DIY orange wreath

You can also use faux mandarin oranges and artificial greens to make an orange wreath that lasts for many years. Via Handmade Home

How to dry whole oranges for decor and crafts

How to dry whole oranges for decor and crafts

In some European countries you can easily find dried whole oranges for Christmas decorations. Source: video tutorial below-

You can also make them easily at home. Cut a few slits on the side of the oranges, and dry them in the oven at very low temperature around 170F to 200F for 8 hours or more. 

DIY dried orange wreath for Christmas and Thanksgiving 

DIY dried orange wreath for Christmas and Thanksgiving 

If drying whole oranges sounds like too much time and effort, try this idea of drying half hallowed orange peels. Such a beautiful and creative fall and winter wreath by Lily Ardor.

stunning orange Christmas wreath is made with a festive mix of dried orange slices and dried whole oranges, cinnamon sticks, rosemary, spruce, and eucalyptus. 

This stunning orange Christmas wreath is made with a festive mix of dried orange slices and dried whole oranges, cinnamon sticks, rosemary, spruce, and eucalyptus. 

Make orange peel decorations for Christmas and Thanksgiving 

Make orange peel decorations for Christmas and Thanksgiving 

Last but not least, we can make beautiful holiday decorations with orange peels! All you need are a few cookie cutters and some fresh peels saved from the oranges you just ate! Source

make star garlands and ornaments from orange peels

You can make star garlands and ornaments from orange peels. Just add Christmas twine or natural hemp twine. Via This Healthy Table

DIY orange peel Christmas garland

joy to the world letters orange peel Christmas garland

Let’s get really creative with orange peel decorations! Via Maiden Creek

decorate kitchen window with DIY orange peel Christmas garland

These Christmas garlands are made with different shape and letter cutters. The orange peel garlands look stunning with deep green pine branches. 

inspiring pine cone decorations and crafts

Love natural decor for Christmas? Check out these 48 inspiring pine cone decorations and crafts!

Happy creating! See you soon!

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