Dried Orange Garland

For awhile now I have been intrigued by the look of dried garland made from natural items such as oranges, lemons, cinnamon sticks, cranberries and more. There’s something so earthy and old tradition about this. I felt like I just had to give it a go in our home this year and see how I felt about it.

I made our garland one night on a whim and it has taken me some time to get used to. It’s definitely different and not as “modern” as a trendy, expensive garland for the store. Instead it’s a little more old and simple. I suppose this is why I adore it.

I have seen some beautiful displays of orange garland. From having it mixed in with greenery to displaying it in a crisp, white kitchen, there’s just something about it that I adore. It was very easy and I can easily see how this could become a fun tradition to do with your children each and every Christmas. I wish I could say that I found a meaning behind it, but after lots of searching all I could find was that this is simply an old Christmas tradition that dates back to long ago.

Sometimes using what you have rather than elaborate decor purchases can make a beautiful and cheerful statement during the holiday season. I would like to think this added a soft touch to our mantle and while my children may have thought I was a tad crazy at first, I think it may be something we will try together next year.

Dried Orange Garland DIY

Preheat oven to 220*
Slice oranges into thin slices (around 1/4 inch thin)
Bake on parchment paper in a single layer until dried — around 4-6 hours
Remove from oven and let cool off
Tie a knot around your twine or string with a needle
Use the needle to loop through each orange slice and create a garland, space the slices out or gather them closer together for a fuller look
You can also use these within your gift wrapping or as homemade ornaments

This is an easy and inexpensive tradition to begin that can involve the kiddos and will make your home smell dreamy in the process.

What is one of your favorite Christmas traditions?