This dried orange garland project made with bay leaves, and cinnamon sticks is easy to create and makes a beautiful statement in your fall, holiday, and winter decor.
Have you ever made a dried fruit garland? The drying process takes some time, but overall it's a pretty easy project.
My sister and I used to make these for our herbal shop with natural elements such as different dried fruits, and other botanicals, like dried red hot peppers. Very pretty in the fall and you can use it again during the holiday season. It could also be a beautiful addition to your Christmas tree.
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Supplies
- Dried Orange Slices
(see below for how to dry your own) - Whole Bay Leaves
- Cinnamon Sticks, 2.75 Cut, 1 lb
- Twine
How to Dry Orange Slices
You can buy dried orange slices but it's more fun to make your own. This process works great with lemons, grapefruit, and other citrus fruits.
- Start by slicing oranges about 1/4 inch thick with a sharp knife.
- Blot off all the excess juice and moisture with a paper towel.
- Place them in a single layer on a baking rack or straight on the oven rack.
- Bake at 200 degrees (F) for about 4 hours, turning every hour or so.
- I made them in two batches in the evening and after 4 hours turned off the oven and let them sit there overnight.
I tried something similar with whole oranges and little clementines but it did not work as well. You can read more about that in this dried citrus Christmas ornaments post.
The same process works for apples. You can string them too or just make a pretty bowl of potpourri.
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How to Make a Dried Orange Garland
Step 1. Gather your bay leaves in a bowl. I bought a big bag of bay leaves. Many were not big enough to string on the garland so it helped to weed through them ahead of time.
Step 2. Drill holes in the middle of the cinnamon sticks. You can also just wind the cinnamon sticks around the twine as you go. I did this for half of my garland then switched to drilling holes. Drilling takes more time, but the cinnamon stick stays in place better.
Step 3. Next, thread them all together. It is helpful if you have a large embroidery or yarn needle, but you can always use a paper clip or even a piece of wire.
Step 4. I started with a cinnamon stick, then an orange slice. Then I added 8 bay leaves, another orange slice, 8 more bay leaves, and a final orange slice, and repeated this combination until the end.
Of course, you can make it in different ways using any combination you like. To give you an idea, the garland above is about 4 feet long. For this, I used approximately 11 oranges, 18 cinnamon sticks (2.75 in), and 250 bay leaves.
FAQs
How Long Will This Orange Slice Garland Last?
If you store it in a well-sealed plastic bin in a dry place the garland should last a long time, perhaps for years. It will lose some of the fragrance and the orange slices may turn a little darker but otherwise, it will look great.
How Long Does the Orange Fragrance Last?
Depending on the space it's in maybe a week but it's so pretty you won't care.
How Do You Keep the Bay Leaves from Breaking?
Try soaking the leaves in some water for 30 minutes. Then dry them with some paper towels. This should help with the brittle nature of dried bay leaves.
Can You Dry the Oranges in a Dehydrator?
I haven't personally tried it but I don't see why you couldn't.
Can You Use Apples Instead of Oranges?
Absolutely. That would be beautiful and the apples would weigh less for those having trouble with the overall weight of the orange slices. You can see how dried apples look in my homemade potpourri post image above.
I think in the future I might add more cinnamon sticks and some apple slices. It makes a really nice fall garland for our family room mantel. I just might leave it up or use it on the tree as part of my natural Christmas decor.
Overall, this beautiful dried orange garland is a bit time consuming but totally worth it and I got to enjoy the smell of oranges, bay leaves, and cinnamon while I worked.
More Dried Fruit Craft Projects
Check out the DIY/Projects Page,
for more great project ideas.
DIY Dried Orange Garland for Your Holiday Decor
Equipment
- Drill (optional)
- Large needle (embroidery or yarn)
Materials
- Dried Oranges see below how for to dry your own
- Whole Bay Leaves
- Cinnamon Sticks 2.75 Cut, 1 lb
- Twine
Instructions
- Dry oranges. Start by slicing oranges about 1/4 inch thick, blotting excess moisture with paper towels, and place them straight on the oven rack or baking rack.
- Bake at 200 degrees (F) for about 4 hours, turning every hour or so. I made them in two batches in the evening and after 4 hours turned off the oven and let them sit there overnight.
- Gather your bay leaves in a bowl. Weed through them to find the best whole large leaves.
- Drill a small hole in the middle of the cinnamon sticks. You can also just wind the cinnamon sticks around the twine as you go.
- Next, string them all together using a large embroidery needle, a paper clip, or even a piece of wire.
- Create any pattern you want. This one starts with a cinnamon stick, then an orange slice. Followed by 8 bay leaves, another orange slice, 8 more bay leaves, a final orange slice
- Repeat until you reach your desired length.
Vyom Overseas - spice wholesalers
Woww !! wt a great idea !!
Deanna
I was wondering if you could save them year after year. Have you ever stored yours?
Patti Estep
Deanna, you definitely can. I made this 5 years ago and it still looks pretty good today. Here's a quick pic from my phone. I just keep it in plastic bins with other seasonal decorations in my basement.
Diane
This looks so interesting. How long does the orange fragrance last without being refreshed with essential oil?
Patti Estep
Diane, the scent does not last long that I recall, maybe a week. It's more of an ornamental than an aromatic piece.
Margie
How do you dry the red hot chilli peppers?
Patti Estep
Margie, pepper can be air dried by hanging them somewhere out of the way where it is dry and somewhat warm. They can be dried in the oven at the lowest temperature. You'll need to keep an eye on them, turning them and removing them before they turn color. You could also use a food dehydrator.
Jan Bielaczyc
Sounds like a fun craft, I can’t wait to try it out!
Patti Estep
It's one of my favorites Jan. Enjoy.
Eugenia Jaffe
Love your creativity!
Patti Estep
Thanks Eugenia!
Jennifer
Any suggestions on stringing the bay? They keep shattering when I try Thanks!
Jen
Patti Estep
Jennifer, try soaking them in a bit of warm water for a few minutes. Then dry them off and try again.
Jennifer
I wondered if that might work! Thanks so much!
Kathy Menold
Haven't made these dried oranges in years and forgot how pretty they are and how good they smell when drying. I also did apples and used both to add to a fresh evergreen garland and also as decorations on our tree. Thanks for reminding me of an easy but beautiful natural decor.
Patti Estep
Thanks for the great comment Kathy. Your garland sounds gorgeous!
Lily
I made these & love them but can’t seem to keep them hung up because they are so heavy! Any tips?
Patti Estep
Lily, they can be heavy. The only suggestions I have is to make sure you use enough nails or hooks to hang the garland.
Lisa
Where did you buy your Bay leaves? They are pricey so I’m sure buying in bulk helps. Thanks for sharing your lovely garland! 🌻🍁
Patti Estep
Lisa, I buy most of my supplies through Amazon. I'm a prime member and that gives me 2 day free shipping so I always look there first. Usually, their prices are comparable. However, another good one for herb and spices is https://www.atlanticspice.com/. Hope that helps and have fun creating your garland.
Sara Smith
Beautiful! I was just trying to think of a creative DIY garland. Will try this weekend. Thanks!
Natalia Emma
I have tried dry red hot peppers Garland! but never try Dried Orange Garland! Interesting Idea, I think I'm gonna try this one too.
Patti Estep
Hot pepper garlands are so pretty too. I hope you love the orange as much as we did.
Amna Shaheen
Thanks Patti for sharing such a wonderful information with us. Will try it definitely.
Patti Estep
Enjoy Amna!
Valenica Abbott
Beautiful! I was just trying to think of a creative DIY garland. Will try this weekend. Thanks!
Patti Estep
Thanks Valencia. I think you'll love it.
corrine
Could the oranges be done in a dehydrator? This looks so nice!
Patti Estep
Hi Corrine,
I would definitely think they could be dried in a dehydrator but have never tried it.
I think you could get good results with a little experimentation.
Good luck,
Patti
Marisa
this is a cute craft! Looks so original! thanks for sharing!
Jennifer A Stewart
This garland would be perfect for my mantle! Thanks for linking it up to Saucy Saturdays!
Erin Vincent
I am totally making this garland this holiday season! It's gorgeous!
Patti Estep
Hi Erin,
So glad you liked it. You could even use it later as a wreath by tying the ends together and hanging it in the kitchen.
Thanks for stopping by and have a great week!
Patti
Nicki Parrish
Love this! And the photographs are so pretty too! Thanks for sharing at Totally Terrific Tuesday Party, hope to see you back here this week! Pinned it!
JaneEllen
Used to have wonderful garland very similar to yours I bought when we lived in KY.There are so many wonderful antique/vintage shops there, still miss it. Mostly miss our house and land.
Have been here in western CO for over 12 yrs. now, miss MT where we lived before KY. Every place we've lived has something I miss, jury still out on western CO, lol. Favorite even over San Diego area is MT. Lived in San Diego areas for 21 yrs. before MT., before S.D. lived in Tucson for 20 yrs., was born in Cleveland, Oh, lived there til I was 10.
Sure am glad you featured your incredible orange garland, will be making this very soon.
Have wonderful Fall weekend
Patti Estep
Hi JaneEllen,
So many wonderful places to live. I've been to San Diego twice and really loved it. Just got back from Lexington, KY weekend trip with friends and had a great time. Living in Pittsburgh, PA, I've been all over Ohio and my kids live there. I haven't been to Colorado since I was a teen but I remember it also being beautiful. I'm sure you'll learn to love it too. Now, Montana is one place I've never been. I'll have to put it on my bucket list.
Thanks for stopping by. I hope you love your garland and enjoy the rest of this beautiful fall weekend.
Patti
Theresa@DearCreatives
This is so nice I bet it smells amazing. Maybe I need to add making one to my fall bucket list. Thanks for joining us at the Inspiration Spotlight party. Shared.
Jennifer
Oooh, this is beautiful! I love how festive it looks too!
Thanks for sharing (and for linking up to the #SHINEbloghop).
Wishing you a lovely weekend.
xoxo
Sharon@BlueWillowHouse
I've wanted to do a dried orange garland for a while now and your tutorial is wonderful. Thank you for sharing at Snickerdoodle Create~Bake~Make link party.
Sharon@BlueWillowHouse
Just a quick note to let you know I am featuring your dried orange garland at Snickerdoodle today.
Patti Estep
Hi Sharon,
Thank you for featuring the garland.
I hope everyone loves it.
Have a great week!
Patti
Beverly
Your garland looks so great. I have not dried oranges in years and you have given me the incentive to do it again.
Thanks,
Bev
Cristina at Ava's Alphabet
This garland is gorgeous. It reminds me of hot spiced cider and a crackling fire. LOVE it!!! Pinned and sharing. Thank you for linking up to Family Joy Blog Link-Up Party this week!
Christene Holder
This looks so pretty! I love the rich fall colors! And, I bet this smells amazing!!! Thanks for sharing with us on the Family Joy Blog Link Party!
>> Christene
Keys to Inspiration
creativejewishmom/sara
Lovely! thanks so much for sharing on craft schooling Sunday, and great to meet you!
Jessy @ The Life Jolie
What a gorgeous and festive idea- I bet it smells fantastic too!
Nettie
Hi, I am wondering if the oranges drip juice while in the oven. I understand that the orange slices go directly on the oven rack. Did I read this correctly? I have used a dehydrating machine before to dry out oranges and it gets sticky from the juice. Don't want a mess. Thank you for sharing.
Patti Estep
Hi Nettie,
I totally understand. What I did was dry the oranges on paper towels first. Blot them with as much as you can with paper towels too. They did not drip in the oven. I think maybe the rack did get a little sticky, but nothing that couldn't be cleaned afterwards. I don't know if a little vegetable spray would help? I did flip them several times so that they did not stick and dried evenly.
Hope it works for you and let me know if you come up with any different solutions.
Patti
Stephanie
These are gorgeous! I love natural decor, and these garlands are some of the nicest I've seen. I'll definitely be making my own, thanks for sharing!!
Patti Estep
Hi Stephanie,
So glad you liked the garland. It was a fun project to make. I haven't used apple slices but I have used dried chilis in the past for a nice southwest look. Just another thought.
Have a great week!
Patti
Dawn Price
I actually have a question. Can you do this with apples also? I love apple cinnamon for the winter time. I usually make my own brew in a crock pot, but would like to add this in the living room.
Patti Estep
Hi Dawn,
I have not tried this with apples but I suspect it would work. I'm not sure how much scent they would hold but they may look really nice. You could try sprinkling cinnamon on them when you put them in the oven. I bet your house will smell fantastic while they are drying. Have you ever sliced an apple from the top? There is a pretty star or flower patter in the middle where the seeds lie. This would be a good hole for stringing the apple. Give it a try with one or two apples and see how it goes.
Amanda myers
Do you think that it would work good with apples too instead of oranges? Could I dry out the apples the same way you dried out the oranges and have it work just as good as yours came out? Not that the oranges are not a great idea because it is a great idea but I was just wondering if my house would smell like apple cinnamon if I used apples instead of oranges.
Patti
Hi Amanda,
I haven't done apples for a while but as I recall they are not as fragrant and oranges. Still they would look beautiful and if you cut them in whole slices they have a pretty star effect where the seeds are. Certainly worth a try.
Rita Cristina
Me encantó la idea de hacer una guirnalda, estoy segura que el aroma será exquisito! Gracias
Patti
Thank you. So glad you liked it and yes it would make a wonderful wreath!
donnalee brown
how can I refresh the aroma when it looses the smell?
Patti
Hi Donnalee,
You can try placing few drops of essential oil or fragrance oils on the garland if you want the scent to last longer. Otherwise it still looks pretty even if the scent has faded.
Thanks for stopping by,
Patti
Carole West @ Garden Up Green
Love this - I'm thinking I may do this for the Christmas season. I'm wanting to go all handmade and natural this year. Natural scents are the best.
Patti
Thanks Carole,
I agree that natural smells best and this project would work great at Christmas. In fact, I like it as a kitchen ornament all year round.
Thanks for stopping by and enjoy your week.
Patti
Maureen Young
What a great idea and what a beautiful seasonal mantel! I love all the different scents of autumn.
Patti
Thanks Maureen,
Gotta love fall!
Deborah Polley
You are full of surprises. KEEP them comming. I love your energy.
Linda
Thanks a bunch. Being a crafty person I've been looking for non-gender gift for Christmas. Dried oranges combined with all the good smells of fall/Christmas will make a good smelly for adults as well college age grandchildren. I'm excited to get started!!
Denise Wright
I love this idea (and the pics are gorgeous). I was thinking about dried oranges the other day and now I think I have to try this. Great post!
Patti
Remember the ones with garlic and hot red peppers? They were all so fun and now I'm bringing them back!!