I don’t know about you, but I LOVE old timey traditions and decor, especially around Christmas time. I am not one to put up a lot of “Christmas” decor. Instead, I decorate for winter and add a few Christmas pieces that can easily be taken down after the holidays without disrupting my winter decor.
In all seasons I try to use natural florals, branches, and even rocks from around our house and pastures. One of my favorite things to use in decorating our home for winter is fresh cut cedar branches. I place them EVERYWHERE. Mason jars in the window sills, tucked behind photo frames, in a bowl with a few ornaments…they are everywhere! I usually leave them up until March and replace them as they dry out and begin to make a mess.
In watching some of the older Christmas movies, I noticed orange slice garlands on some Christmas trees in the backgrounds and immediately knew I needed to try to make my own. My initial plan was to place the oranges on the dehydrator for 2-3 hours and be done with it. Our dehydrator had other plans.
As you can see from the photos, all went well for the first 20 minutes or so and then the dehydrator decided to take a nap, turn back on for 30 seconds, nap again, and continued this cycle for the next 20 minutes until I gave up and decided to use the oven. I will be adding dehydrator instructions once we get a new one, but for now I will list how to dry oranges in the oven.
Supplies
- 6-7 large oranges
- ground cinnamon
- sharp paring knife
- 3 large baking sheets
- Twine or yarn
- Darning needle
- Hot glue gun
- 25 3″ cedar fronds
Start by preheating your oven to 200 degrees Fahrenheit. Slice oranges at 1/4″ thickness. Don’t worry if your slices aren’t perfectly even, variety makes the garland more interesting! Discard the ends of the oranges as the do not dry well or turn out very “pretty”. I coated only half of my oranges in cinnamon so I would have more color variety, but you can do what you want! To coat them, place the slices in a bowl and sprinkle with cinnamon. Using your hand, gently stir to coat all slices.
Place slices on a baking sheet, being sure they do not overlap. Bake for an hour and a half, checking periodically to be sure the slices are not cooking or browning too much. If so, turn your oven temp down to 175. After an hour and a half is up, turn the slices over to allow them to crisp evenly. Some slices may be ready to be removed from the oven. Check by feeling each slices as you flip them, they are done when they feel dry and crispy, but slightly spongey when squeezed between your fingertips.
Continue drying for another hour. After they have been in the oven for a total of two and a half hours, turn off the oven and allow them to finish drying for 5 hours or overnight.
Gather your cedar fronds, yarn or twine, needle, and glue gun. Decide on how long you want your garland and cut your twine 8″ longer. This will allow enough room to tie loops on each end. The loops work to hang the garland and keeps the oranges from coming off, but to start off, only tie one end. You will need the other end open in order to thread your slices on.
Now it’s time to start making your garland!
Start by threading your darning needle with twine. You will be “weaving” the twine in and out of each orange slice. As you can see in the photo, the twine will go in the front of your slice then back out on the opposite side through the back. This method will keep the slice from moving too much. Slide the slice into place and thread another on. Repeat the steps for each slice until you have the desired amount on your twine. I placed mine roughly 5″ apart.
Once your slices are in place, cut and align your cedar fronds. I found it easiest to put a dot of glue on the frond, then gently press the twine into the glue. I did end up getting glue on my counter. So, you may lay down wax paper to protect your countertops!
After your glue has set, you can tie off the other end of your twine and you’re ready to decorate with your new orange slice garland!
As always, thanks for stopping by the Ridge! I hope you enjoy making your own orange slice garland and have a very Merry Christmas!
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