Learn how to make dried oranges for all of your Christmas decorations this year like dried orange slices garland, wreath adornments, and more!
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When it comes to decorating for the seasons, I am a sucker for all things handmade and anything natural. Its usually inexpensive and more beautiful to snip a few branches to bring inside from your fall trees, or to make an evergreen wreath with clippings that you’ve found.
I think having a good mix of handmade and natural elements is the best way to go for seasonal and holiday decorating.
Making dried orange slices is a great way to add all natural and handmade decor to your home any time of year, not just for Christmas!
hi there, after you’ve dried your orange slices head over here to make some cutie-pie ornaments with them: DIY Dried Orange Ornaments
Since Christmas is just around the corner though, these dried orange slices would make for a beautiful Christmas garland, wreath adornments, and more. I’m planning on making both of those in the next couple weeks, so stay tuned if you’d like tutorials for them!
Learn how to make your own dried orange slices below, as well as a few tips on what to do with them!
You can follow me on Instagram HERE to see how I add these dried oranges all around our home for the holidays.
PSA: Did you know I have a FREE eBook on my 5 Secrets to SIMPLE, SEASONAL, OLD-FASHIONED, Homemaking?! Its an actionable guide that will help you to embrace this vintage lifestyle in your own home. I think you’d love it! Sign up for my email listHEREto get access to yours today!
How to Dry Orange Slices
To make dried orange slices all you will need is oranges, a knife, cooling racks, and your oven!
- Preheat your oven to 200 degrees.
- Cut your oranges into slices, about 1 cm thick.
- Use a paper towel or tea towel to dab the flesh of the oranges to get as much of the liquid soaked up as possible.
- Place your oranges either directly on the racks in your oven, or on a cooling rack placed in the oven.
- Dry your orange slices in the oven for up to 4 hours or until they are completely dry, flipping every thirty minutes or so and checking to see if they’re done.
- Once finished, leave out on your cooling rack to dry and set overnight.
*Note: they are easy to burn! If they start cooking too quickly and they are burning rather than drying (they’ll turn brown), drop your temperature by 5-10 degrees and check them more often.
What to Do With Dried Orange Slices
- Add your dried orange slices to a piece of twine for a pretty Christmas garland.
- Cut out small pieces of twine or ribbon and tie them through each dried orange slice, then hang on your Christmas tree as a handmade ornament.
- Attach a dried orange slice and a small evergreen branch or a cinnamon stick to your handmade Christmas presents with a DIY name tag.
- Combine dried orange slices with dried herbs, cloves and cinnamon sticks in a jar as a homemade potpourri gift.
- Attach a few dried oranges to your handmade wreath as a beautiful and natural adornment.
- Hang your dried orange slices all around your home for decorations.
How Long Do Dried Orange Slices Last?
Your dried orange slices should last for as long as you like, especially since this is a tutorial for using them as decorations and not for eating. Even if you were to dry and store dried oranges to be eaten they can last up to two years!
The key is to make sure you’ve dried your slices completely to prevent any mold. If you are planning on storing them away for the next season, store them between pieces of newspaper to collect any moisture.
Bring out your dried orange slices for decorations year after year. If they happen to go bad or get moldy from improper drying, the tutorial is simple enough to make them again!
Check out These Other Seasonal Posts
DIY Christmas Wreath Using Fresh Evergreen Clippings
Christmas Stove Top Potpourri
17 Amazing Handmade Gift Ideas Your Friends & Family Will Love
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FAQs
If you dry and store your oranges properly, the slices should be good for at least two years, and often much longer and they'll be ready for Christmas porch decor ideas and Christmas patio ideas. To store, place them in a completely dry airtight container until the next holiday season.
How to make dried orange slices for Christmas? ›
Drying citrus slices for Christmas is easier than ever. Simply slice fresh citrus fruits into even, thin slices, then dry them in a dehydrator for at least eight hours or until fully dried. Once dry, use them to enhance existing Christmas decorations like wreaths and garlands.
Are dried oranges a Christmas thing? ›
Dried fruit was a very traditional way to decorate for the holidays up until about the mid-1800's when glass ornaments became popular, and so using dried orange slices is a lovely and cost effective way to bring an old fashion feel into your Christmas decor.
How do you keep dried oranges from turning brown? ›
To avoid your dried orange slices from turning brown, it's best to dry them on the lowest temperature possible. They will turn brown if they're accidentally overcooked or burned. Dry orange slices may also turn more brown over time, as their natural colors fade over the years.
How do you dry orange slices cheap? ›
Heat oven to 140C/120C fan/gas 1 and line 2 baking sheets with baking parchment. Slice the oranges and apples very thinly, using a mandolin for the apples, if you have one. Arrange the slices on the trays, then bake for 45 mins-1 hr, turning halfway through cooking, until completely dried out.
Do dried orange slices go bad? ›
Dried oranges can last a long time, often more than a couple of years, if they have been completely dried and are stored in an air-tight container in a cool, dark place. If there is any sign of mold on them, then discard them and make more.
How long to dehydrate orange slices for garland? ›
Bake for 4-6 hours or until completely dry, opening the oven door every now and then to let out steam. Flip the slices several times during baking. Note that it may take longer than 6 hours, if you slice the oranges thicker, or if they are very juicy. Let the slices dry in room temperature overnight.
What do oranges symbolize at Christmas? ›
They're Said to Represent a Gift of Gold from Saint Nicholas
The father eventually found out who the gift giver was and was so moved he told everyone in town about Nicholas. This was not only the origin of Santa Claus but also one reason for oranges—which represent bags of gold—in our stockings.
What is the Christmas orange called? ›
Mandarins are a small, loose-skinned, sweeter, variety of the common orange. The mandarin family includes several different species and hybrids of which satsumas, tangerines, and clementines are the most popular around Christmas.
How do you dry orange slices without a dehydrator? ›
Arrange orange slices on a baking sheet with parchment paper and bake at 200 degrees F for several hours until dry. Flip every 30 minutes to prevent edges from curling excessively. It should take anywhere from 3-5 hours depending on how thick your slices are. Keep a close eye on them towards the second half.
It's important they are completely dehydrated so they don't rot or attract bugs.
How to make orange Christmas ornaments? ›
Arrange orange slices on a baking sheet and put into the oven for two hours. Reduce oven heat to 140 (or as low as yours goes) and remove the orange slices from the baking sheet and place directly on rack. Turn slices once after about an hour to keep them from curling or sticking. Turn off oven and leave overnight.
How do you preserve dried orange slices for decorations? ›
Once oranges are dried, they can be stored in an airtight container. Jars with tight-fitting lids work well. Store them in a cool, dry place away from sunlight. If you are going to use the dried slices for culinary purposes, oranges will last, if properly dried, a year or two years.
How long do dried citrus decorations last? ›
They will last two years or maybe longer if they are stored properly. They are best kept in a cool dry place. They will become pale in color and very brittle when it's ready to make a new one!
Can you keep dried orange decorations? ›
TIP: Did you know you can store these dried oranges slices in air tight containers or bags! You can use them for many years to come. I've had mine for 5 years now. Just make sure they are completely dehydrated before you store them in a cool dark place!
How long do orange decorations last? ›
If you've dehydrated them properly, your orange slices will last approximately two years. If you didn't remove enough moisture during the baking process, they may develop mold while in storage. When properly dried, mold will not develop, but they won't look as good past the two-year mark.
