Use Dried Orange Slices to Create Timeless Holiday Decor

Dried orange slices will add the perfect, timeless touch to your home this holiday season.  They are ridiculously easy to make and are so reminiscent of years gone by.  Use them to transition seamlessly between your Thanksgiving and Christmas decor, without breaking the bank.

Keep the Holidays Simple

In a world where society urges us to buy more and to make our homes look like the pages of a magazine, I choose to foster simplicity.  In our decor, in our gifts, and in our energy.  That means that rather than stressing myself out with a mile long list of to-do’s, and gifts, and obligations, I’ve chosen to focus on making memories with my people.  

Memories of home cooked meals shared around the table, with beeswax candles lit just because it’s Tuesday. Of evenings spent around the fire reading a good book and sipping rich hot cocoa. Memories of little hands stringing dried orange slices onto twine, and the wonder on their faces as the light glimmers through them like stained glass as they drape in the kitchen window.

Handmade Holiday Decor

The DIY holiday decor project is so simple to make, and you likely already have the tools lying around your home! I prefer to use an oven method to dry the oranges over using a dehydrator. I find this to be the easiest way to make beautiful dried orange slices for holiday decor. If you have a dehydrator, feel free to use it, but below, you will find step-by-step instructions to make dried oranges in your oven. After you create your dried orange slices, you can use them in a variety of different ways around your home for holiday decor. My favorite part is that you can make them in the fall and use them all the way through Christmas! I think that they seamlessly transition between seasons. They are easy to make, so beautiful around your home, and are very budget-friendly too! 

Tools to make dried orange slices

Cutting board and sharp knife – The sharp knife will help you get thinner slices, or you can use a mandoline slicer if you have one too. 

Baking sheet – A cookie sheet in the oven is the easiest way to make your dried orange slices! I find the oven to be easier than a food dehydrator because you can make more at a time unless you have a larger dehydrator, of course! 

Wire rack – Using a wire rack or cooling rack helps the orange slices dry evenly and will give you a brighter color. I didn’t have one, so I just used a silicone mat on top of my baking sheet so that the oranges didn’t stick. You could also line it with parchment paper. 

Ingredients to make dried orange slices

The only ingredient you need to make dried orange slices is you guessed it… oranges! For this project, I used navel oranges for a classic look, but you can use any kind of oranges you would like. You can actually use any type of citrus you would like for this project too! Grapefruit or blood oranges mixed in with your regular dry oranges would give a gorgeous variety of colors and different sizes. Or try other citrus fruits such as lemon or lime.

How to make dried orange slices

First, preheat your oven to its lowest temperature setting. The low heat allows the orange slices to dry out and the moisture to evaporate. In my oven, I set the temperature to 200 degrees F. 

Slice the fresh oranges in thin slices, to about 1/4″ thick. Using a sharp knife will help you get even slices. If you cut the oranges unevenly or only slice off a small bit, don’t toss them! Go ahead and add them to your tray and dry them out. You can use the scrap pieces for making a simmer pot or homemade potpourri. 

Place the orange slices in a single layer on a baking rack.  Then, place them in the oven for 3-6 hours, or until they are no longer sticky. in my oven, this took about 4 hours. 

Remove from the baking sheet once they have cooled, and then use them for decor or any DIY projects. 

How to make dried orange garland 

This is my favorite part and a great way to get little hands involved! To make the garland, all you need is some thin twine. I poked little holes in the top of the oranges and then strung the twine through the holes. I recommend making knots around the oranges to keep them in place. You can make the garland as long as you’d like and then use it to add some beautiful natural decor to doorways, over windows, staircases, or mantles. 

How to store dry orange slices

Once the oranges are dried, you can use them in a variety of different ways around your home for decoration! Because they are dried, they will actually last for years! You can easily store them away and use them for the next holiday season. I recommend keeping them in an airtight container such as a plastic bag or glass jar to help them keep their color longer. 

Tips for Drying Orange Slices

• If properly dried and stored in an airtight container (like a good ol’ ziploc bag or mason jar), they will last for years!
• They darken with age, but they’re totally fine.  Save them for next year and add in some freshly dried slices for a stunning array of colors.
• You could also dry grapefruit slices to add variety to your citrusy decor.
• Rotate your pans throughout the drying process for more even color.
• I used a baking sheet because it was all that I had, so my slices dried a little darker.  I don’t mind at all, but you may want to opt for a baking rack instead.

You can use dried orange slices in so many different ways!

• What I love about dried orange slices is that you can easily use them for fall, or Thanksgiving decorations and then seamlessly transition them to Christmas decorations. The pop of orange color goes perfectly with the oranges and brown autumn decor for Thanksgiving, or in a natural Thanksgiving tablescape, and then it is a beautiful contrast with the reds and greens for Christmas! 
• Here are a few ideas to use your beautiful dried orange slices:
• For Thanksgiving decorations on a wreath, tablescape, or garland. 
• As a natural element in Christmas garlands
• As ornaments on a Christmas tree- To make an ornament out of the orange slices, poke a little hole on the top of the orange slice and then thread a piece of twine or ribbon through it.  
• For a pop of color in a Christmas wreath, or even in a fall or harvest-themed wreath. 
• Use as citrus crystals hanging from your chandelier
• As tokens in a rustic wall hanging
• Combined with cinnamon sticks and clove to make potpourri (and yes, I had to google that spelling) and make your house smell wonderful. This would also make a great homemade Christmas gift for loved ones! 

I think they pair beautifully with evergreen boughs or eucalyptus branches.

Did you know that you can grow your own eucalyptus?? I have a tree in my front yard that has the most gorgeous foliage. I love to channel my inner medicine woman and hang bundles of it all around the house to dry.

I’ve also read on the Google, that you can eat your dried orange slices! I’m thinking dipped in dark chocolate with a little sea salt sprinkled on top. I might need to go make more just for snacking!

Watch My Tutorial for Dried Oranges

However you choose to use your dried orange slices, there’s no arguing that they are one of the most versatile decor items known to man…or Mama.