Easy Tutorial: How to Make DIY Dried Orange Garland

A step-by-step tutorial to make DIY dried orange garland as inexpensive yet charming Christmas decor on trees, wreaths, and garland greenery.

Tying up dried orange garland all over our house has become my new favorite past time. Someone really needs to stop me at this point because I’ve lost all will power.

It’s so charming, fun, easy, and inexpensive to make, and it’s the perfect activity to do with the kids while plopped around the kitchen table together watching a Christmas movie.

Doesn’t it just MAKE our dining room doorway?!

This is my second year in a row going dried orange garland crazy, so I’ll just chalk it up to our new tradition. If you’ve wanted to attempt it yourself, here’s how.

First, see my tutorial for how to dry orange slices here. All you need is a sharp knife, parchment paper lined baking sheets, an oven or air fryer, and a cooling rack.

After dehydrating orange slices, you can just call it done by sticking ornament hooks or floral wire through them and twisting them onto the branches of Christmas trees, wreaths, and garlands.

But this DIY dried orange garland adds a little somethin’ something’ to holiday decor.

DIY Dried Orange Garland

Supplies

• Dried orange slices (follow this tutorial to dehydrate oranges yourself making sure they’re completely dried or buy dried orange slices here)
• Polished hemp twine or any string you may already have
• A paper clip or toothpick
• Scissors
• Mini bells (optional but cute)

Step 1 – Cut and Dry Orange Slices

(If you want the quick and easy route, you can actually buy already dried orange slices for about the cost of whole oranges from the produce section.)

How to Dry Orange Slices in the Oven

1. Slice oranges into thin slices (approximately 1/4″ thick).

2. Place slices on parchment paper on a baking sheet.

3. Put orange slices in the oven at 200°F for 45 minutes.

4. Flip the slices over and continue baking for another 45 minutes. Keep flipping every 45 minutes until the slices feel relatively dry (usually around the 3 hour mark). The thicker your slices, the longer they’ll take to dry.

Step 1 – Cut Twine

Cut a strand of twine or string to the length you desire (cut it a tad longer than you’d like, just in case). Set aside.

Cut several additional pieces of twine in 3″ to 4″ lengths each. Set aside.

Step 2 – Poke Hole Through Orange Slice

Using the end of a straightened paper clip or toothpick, poke a hole through the flesh of the dried orange slice.

Push the end of a 3-4″ length twine strand through the hole to thread the dried orange slice.

Step 3 – Tie Twine to Orange Slice

Tie a knot to tightly secure the twine to the orange slice. Then, tie the orange slice tightly onto the long strand of twine. Cut the leftover hanging ends of the 3-4″ strand on the orange slice.

Step 4 – Repeat Threading and Tying Orange Slices to Twine Strand

Continue threading and tying dried orange slices to the long strand of twine, spacing the slices apart evenly.

Step 5 – Add Embellishments (Optional)

Optional: Add bells if desired. You can also add other embellishments like pine cones or faux holly berries. Decide how far apart you would like to space your orange slices and/or bells and tie into place as you did in Step 4.

Cut the longer ends of twine on the bells as well.

Step 6 – Hang Garland

Weave your dried orange slice garland through greenery on Command hooks or anywhere you want to add a little traditional charm to your Christmas decor.

I just wrap some of the twine around branches in greenery garland to secure it, or you can use a little bit of floral wire. Mix in cinnamon sticks, pine cones, fairy lights, whatever you’d like.

It’s so cute tucked anywhere and everywhere!

Have you ever made dried orange garland before? Or strung up popcorn and dried cranberries? It’s just a little detail from the “good ol’ days” that makes me feel connected to Christmases of the past.

More DIY Christmas Decor Ideas

• DIY Cinnamon Salt Dough Ornaments
• Christmas Village Snow Globe Centerpiece
• DIY Repurposed Canvas Christmas Art
• 18 Christmas Wall Decor Ideas and Holiday Art Printables

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