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.
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
*Some resources in article are affiliate links. Full disclosure here.
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.
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
Natural orange slices are perfect Christmas tree ornaments in a vintage farmhouse galvanized tin bucket. Via Maison De Cinq
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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. 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.
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
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
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
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
These cinnamon and dried orange slice gift tags look beautiful and festive on brown paper gift wrap. Via Maiden Creek.
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.
For more ideas like this, check out our 35 best Thanksgiving table decorations you can make easily!
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
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
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
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
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.
DIY fresh orange and eucalyptus wreath
Some of my favorite winter and Christmas wreaths are decorated with whole oranges!
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
Here’s a tutorial on how to make a fresh Christmas wreath easily from natural greenery!
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
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
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.
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
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
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
Let’s get really creative with orange peel decorations! Via Maiden Creek
These Christmas garlands are made with different shape and letter cutters. The orange peel garlands look stunning with deep green pine branches.
Love natural decor for Christmas? Check out these 48 inspiring pine cone decorations and crafts!
Happy creating! See you soon!
