Holidays & Entertaining Christmas Christmas Crafts How to Make an Orange Garland Perfect for Holiday Decorating Save time and money this holiday season by creating a homemade garland from dried citrus. By Claire Hoppe Claire Hoppe Claire Hoppe is an editorial apprentice for Better Homes and Gardens who has a passion for making others feel at home in their space. She is currently a senior at Iowa State University studying journalism with a minor in criminal justice. Learn about BHG's Editorial Process Published on November 29, 2023 Trending Videos Close this video player Photo: Brie Passano Project Overview Working Time: 1 hour Total Time: 5 hours Skill Level: Beginner Estimated Cost: $15 We all know how expensive the holidays can be. Gifts for the family, extra groceries for hosting dinner, and festive decor can all come with a hefty price tag. Save some cash this Christmas by making a DIY dried-orange garland to decorate your home. Dried orange slices are a popular option for holiday decorating due to their versatility and cost-effectiveness. From wreaths to centerpieces, dried citrus decor is a timeless (and cheaper!) way to decorate for the holiday season. What You'll Need Equipment / Tools Serrated knife Mandoline (optional) Baking sheet Parchment paper Yarn needle Materials Oranges Cutting board Twine or fishing line Instructions How to Make a Dried Orange Garland Preheat Oven Preheat your oven to 225°F. Allow it to heat up while you prep your ingredients. Prep Oranges Begin slicing two to three oranges with a serrated knife. Alternatively, you can use a mandoline to create even orange slices. Aim to keep the slices around 1/4 inch in thickness to ensure they dry all the way through. Place the slices in a single layer on a parchment-paper-lined baking sheet. Bake the Orange Slices Bake the slices for 3-4 hours or until the edges begin to brown, flipping them halfway through. Make sure to adjust the oven temperature and bake time to the strength of your oven. The slices can be baked at temperatures ranging from 170°F to 250°F. Once baked to your preference, set the slices aside to cool completely on a baking rack. Create the Garland Once cooled, it's time to assemble the garland. Using a yarn needle, thread fishing line or twine through each orange slice. Make sure to poke the needle through the slice's flesh near the outside rind of the orange. Using fishing line will make it seem as if your slices are floating, while using twine will give the garland a more rustic, natural feel. You can choose to spruce up your orange garland by creating a pattern with other shapes or materials, like stars created from fruit rind, felt pom-poms, or leaves. Once you've finished your dried orange garland, tie the ends of the fishing line or twine in loops to make it easy to hang the garland. Hang the Garland Dane Tashima Hang your homemade garland on your mantel or along a staircase with a classic evergreen garland. Or add some holiday cheer to more practical spaces in your home by hanging your dried orange garland along the tops of cabinetry or around bed frames. How to Make a Farmhouse Dried Orange Wreath