Decorating With Dried Orange Slices for Christmas

Get inspired by these easy, natural, and beautiful ways to start decorating with dried orange slices this Christmas season.

One of the first things I do to kick of my Christmas decorating is by drying orange slices.

It’s like my unofficial signal that the holiday season has begun.

The oven’s on, the kitchen smells amazing, and pretty soon the house starts to feel a little more cozy.

There really is something so simple and satisfying about turning an orange into holiday decor.

I think they add the prettiest touch of natural color to garlands, wreaths, the Christmas tree, gift wrap, and so much more.

And one of the best things about dried orange slices, is that they are incredibly easy to make.

Skip the store-bought ones…homemade are so much better!

You don’t need any special crafting skills, all you need is a few oranges and a baking sheet while your kitchen fills with that warm, citrusy scent that smells like the Christmas season.

If you’ve never tried decorating with dried orange slices before, my hope is that this post inspires you. 

It’s one of those simple little projects that makes your home feel cozy, festive, and natural without spending much or adding to the holiday clutter.

I’ll show you how!

Why You’ll Love Decorating With Dried Orange Slices

If you’ve ever wanted your home to smell like Christmas and feel effortless at the same time, you’ll love using dried citrus fruit in your decorations.

They’re simple, affordable, and have a timelessness that never goes out of style. 

Plus, you can use them just about anywhere like hanging on the tree, strung along the mantel, tied to gifts, or tucked into greenery.

Here’s why you’ll love them as much as I do…

How to Make Dried Orange Slices

You can find my full, step-by-step tutorial for dehydrated orange slices in this post, but here’s a quick overview to get you started.

Supplies You’ll Need

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How to Dry Orange Slices

1. Preheat your oven to 170 degrees.
2. Slice the oranges into thin, even rounds.
3. Arrange the slices in a single layer on an oven tray lined with parchment paper.
4. Bake for about 3-4 hours, flipping every hour or so.
5. Cool completely before decorating or storing.

6 Beautiful Ideas on How to Decorate With Dried Orange Slices

Once your kitchen smells like Christmas (you’ll see what I mean), the decorating can begin!

Here are a few of my favorite ways to use them around our home…

One. String an Orange Garland

Once your dehydrated oranges are completely cooled, grab some twine, jute, or thin ribbon and thread it through the top of each slice using a large needle or by gently poking a small hole near the peel.

I like to layer my orange garlands over evergreen garlands and then hang them across our fireplace mantel, draped on an open shelf, or as a swag above a window.

You can also mix in cinnamon sticks, star anise, or wooden beads into your Christmas garland for a little texture.

Two. Make Orange Ornaments

Add a touch of nature to your Christmas tree by turning dried orange slices into old-fashioned ornaments.

Take an orange slice, tie a small loop of twine, jute, or ribbon through the top of each one.

Keep them simple or you can add a little something extra like a cinnamon stick, mini pine cone, a sprig of greenery, or a tiny bow.

When you hang them on the tree, the translucent orange slices almost look like tiny stained glass windows.

Three. Tuck Dried Oranges Into Wreaths or Centerpieces

Dried oranges are a great addition to wreaths and arrangements.

Their warm, golden color is beautiful paired with winter greenery.

Tuck a few slices into a fresh pine wreath or nestle them among cedar, eucalyptus, or juniper branches for a pop of color and that nostalgic Christmas scent.

For a holiday dinner, scatter a few dried slices along your table runner or tuck them around candles.

I’ve even tied dried orange slices around napkins with ribbon.

They make the easiest (and prettiest) natural napkin rings.

Four. Display Orange Slices in Jars

Stack them in a glass jar, apothecary jar, or mason jar and display them on an open shelf, kitchen counter, or tucked into a hutch.

It’s an easy way to bring warmth and texture into your kitchen without adding any clutter. 

And, they’re not just pretty, they’re practical too. 

You can always grab a few slices and toss them into a Christmas simmer pot when you want the house to smell extra festive.

Five. Put Out Bowls of Holiday Potpourri

We all want our homes to smell like Christmas just as much we want our homes to look like Christmas.

One of the easiest ways to make that happen is with a bowl of holiday potpourri.

Mix your orange slices with dried apples slices, cinnamon sticks, whole cloves, star anise, small pine cones, and essential oils.

Place the mixture in a wooden dough bowl, basket, or a vintage ironstone dish and set it on your coffee table, kitchen island, or entryway console.

You’ll be greeted with the warm, spicy scent of Christmas every time you walk by.

Six. Dress Up Christmas Gifts

Instead of reaching for store-bought bows, tie a slice on top of your packages with ribbon or twine for a simple, beautiful finishing touch.

The warm orange color looks great with nearly any wrapping paper from classic kraft paper to muted plaids and soft neutrals.

My Styling Tips When Decorating With Dried Orange Slices

There’s no wrong way to decorate with dried oranges.

However, after a few years of experimenting, I’ve found some simple tricks that make them look beautiful every single time.

• Mix textures. Pair dried oranges with natural materials like linen, twine, greenery, or wooden beads to keep the look warm and organic.
• Timeless color scheme. The golden orange color pairs beautifully with creamy whites, taupe, and deep greens for that timeless Christmas feel.
• Layer, don’t clutter. A few slices on a wreath or table go a long way. Less can be more when it comes to natural decor.
• Use what you already have. Dried orange slices look just as charming in a vintage bowl or old mason jar as they do in new pieces.
• Add light. The glow of candles or string lights makes dried citrus look like stained glass windows.

How to Store Dried Orange Slices

Once the holidays are over, you don’t have to toss your dried oranges.

If you store them properly, they can last for months and be reused next year.

The key is keeping them cool, dry, and protected from moisture.

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xoxo, Heidi