There’s a good chance that every year our Christmas decor will go more and more natural. As much as I am a fan of all the sparkle and twinkle the store bought things bring with them each Christmas season, I’m really discovering a love of using natural decor in nature to make this first Christmas at Sugar Maple Farmhouse special.
From using real evergreens garland, to dried out boxwood wreaths and even dried hydrangeas in our porch decor, natural can just be so beautiful all on its own.
Dried orange slices
One small bit of natural decor I’m loving this season is dried orange slices. We’ve never used them before, but I can safely say they will be a staple in our Christmas decor for the rest of my days.
Not only are they simple and festive but I love that after we are done using them, they can go back to the Earth – even if I can’t feed them to my chickens.
Dried orange slices provide a vintage, timeless look too that I honestly just adore. It’s simple, non-fussy decor that people would have used once upon a time in the days before Amazon and big box stores. And there’s something really special about that.
Home or abroad
They remind me of the farmhouse decor you might find in Europe or the Italian countryside – or maybe they would use lemons since they grow those like weeds in Italy?
And while oranges may not be oh so common here in Michigan – in December of all months – I do feel happy for those modern conveniences that allow us to ship them in from Florida and California. I’m sure they’re equally as happy about that in the summer when we ship blueberries and apples all over the country.
Simple Christmas statements
I’ve used dried orange slices in multiple places this year including on wreaths, on my staircase attached to garland and on one of my holiday tables. It looks gorgeous in all the places I’ve added it and is really a simple statement about using what we have to make life more festive.
In the spirit of Christmas, I wanted to share my recipe for creating these simple holiday touches in case you want to use them during the next holiday season. In all honesty, these could be kept up long after Christmas is over too since they aren’t the bright red and green of a traditional Christmas. Here in the middle of the frigid Michigan winters, a bit of California and Florida is a nice reminder that warmer weather is just around the bend.
Notes:
- You will need some time to make these. This is really about dehydrating the orange slices and NOT cooking them.
- You will need your oven for several hours to make this happen.
- If you have a dehydrator, you can use that.
Things you need to make dried orange slices:
- 4-5 oranges. I used multiple sizes and types of oranges during this project, including the large Navel oranges. You can really use whatever size you like but just keep in mind you might need fewer if you use the large ones and more if you use Cuties or something small.
- A cookie sheet
- A cooling rack that will fit on your cookie sheet. I use this one.
- Parchment paper (Not totally needed but I like using this always to avoid unnecessary messes)
Steps:
- Preheat your oven to 200 degrees
- Arrange your parchment paper on a cookie sheet
- Place your cooling rack on top of the cookie sheet. I have this one that I’ve been using.
- Slice your oranges about ¼-inch wide and lay them on the rack.
- Bake at 200 degree for 3 hours. Flip the oranges over each hour.
- Remove from oven and let sit overnight to further dry out.
- Use fishing wire or other cord to attach the oranges to garland, wreaths and more.
Thank you for visiting today! I hope you’ll come back again and see what else we’re up to.
For more farmhouse decor ideas, click here.
Loved your dried oranges. Most of the ones I see are darker so I imagine that they have been over cooked. I’ll try this next year!
I enjoy following you around on the farm. Keep up the good work.
Thank you! I will tell you that I did cook them a little under. That’s why I left them out overnight to dry more. I didn’t want them really dark and I saw that a lot of other people’s came out that way too.
That is such a unique idea and so festive. I love the look of these oranges and the different style they convey.
I have always wondered about this. I am definitely going to try making my own!
These are so pretty. Do the oranges have a nice scent to them?
I love this idea and I bet it smells amazing! I love the smell of oranges in the house.
How cool. What an unique decoration. I need to try this out. We have cats, so I bet the smell would be lovely.
They came out so beautiful and I enjoyed seeing the dried orange slices several ways on the wreath and garland. Such pretty coordination!
I love how your decor is so natural and beautiful! These dried orange slices are so pretty.
Well, I didn’t know I needed this recipe until today! DIY dried orange slices! Sweet 🙂 This is such a cool tutorial that I am definitely going to save on Pinterest. Thanks!!!
I’ve always wondered about this. Now I know how to do it. Thank you for sharing this. I can’t wait to try it out.
These are gorgeous! I totally need to make some orange slices so that I can make a fun wreath! Love the color and texture of the wreath you have!
What beautiful décor! I especially love the oranges in the wreaths and table scape:)
Love this, so pretty! Are they fragrant after being dehydrated!? I really wanted to make my own cinnamon decor this year, but never made the time.?
This is such a beautiful and decorative touch to the railway. I have got to make some of these for sure!
This is the best tutorial ever! I once tried to do this and failed miserably. The scent of the dried oranges really livens up the home. That citrus scent always puts me in a happy mood!
Such a gorgeous idea and unique decor accent! I’m saving it to try next fall! Can’t wait to have that sweet aroma all over the house!
I have made these in the past and loved them. They are so easy, I am wondering why I stopped! I used to tie the slices with cinnamon sticks and those cinnamon ornaments (shaped like gingerbread.) The house smelled amazing! Thanks for that walk down memory lane!
I have never thought about making my own dried orange slices until reading this! I will be making these this weekend!
These look so pretty and I bet they smell amazing! I can’t wait to make them for my house!!
This is cool and I love the way you decorated with the stairs …really pretty
These dried orange slice decor look so elegant but down to earth! I’ve always wondered how people make these I will have to try it! Thanks!
I love this!! Why have I never though of orange slices for decor!?
This is something I’ve never thought of but wow they are GORGEOUS!! So festive.
What a fun way to add a bit of healthy inspiration and decoration to our house. I am curious if dried limes would turn out as well.
I would have never thought to use the dried orange slices as a garland. That’s pretty neat.
This is such an awesome idea for decoration. I am going to try making this, too. I’m sure it will look perfect!
This is great idea for decoration. I would love to make it next holidays.
Simple, and beautiful home decoration ideas, I love it.
These are so pretty, and I love that they add a great natural scent too. It seems like so many things are plastic now, and there are so many chemicals out there. How cool to make decorations that are natural and safe – and compostable!
Oh I love how these look. I want to make these before Winter’s over
Our entire kitchen is farm house style and we live it! This blog post is full of great ideas!
I hadn’t thought about this but it’s a brilliant idea. I would love to try to go natural with the decors at home. I think this will also make the house smell really good. I can’t wait to try this soon. Thank you for sharing.
I’m with you 100%. Don’t get me wrong, the thought of ‘silver and gold’ decorating every Christmas tree around the holiday brings a sparkle to my eye; but there’s a certain homely feeling about natural and organic decor that acrylic and glitter can’t hope to duplicate. These orange slices for example are just like that; simple, yet do perfectly festive and SO easy to make! Thank you for share this with us!
Those came out beautiful! I will have to try this next year.
What a great idea! I hadn’t thought to do this before but I should!
What a great idea! I bet the house smelt so good. I know I have made dried oranges before to make natural homemade spray and it worked out great!
I have an abundance of oranges at home. I will be making this.
I absolutely love his look and the slices are beautiful! I would simmer them too with some cloves and cinnamon stosks…. so fabulous and apprized you sharing! Bookmarking this one!
They’re so pretty! How long do they last and do they retain their smell?
I had never really considered dried citrus fruit as decorative pieces before but now I just feel silly. The slices really are pretty and I’ll bet everything it smells wonderful!
I never EVER would have thought about making these, but now it’s a must. They’re such a vibe!!! And also, can I just say, you’re house is STUNNING!!! Straight out of a magazine!!!!
This is so useful. I bought some a while back but need more. I’d love to make my own.
This is totally a great idea! I can smell the orange goodness! Nice house set up too!
It does give a wonderful vintage feel. Perfect for farmhouse decorating
Love the orange slice accents!
I love orange slices for winter decorations. And I am so glad to make them at home!
I have never heard of making dried orange slice before, but I would absolutely love to try it. It’s very unique home decor.
Wow! This is such a really great idea! Can’t wait to try this out! Thanks for sharing this with us!
Wow! What a really awesome idea for a perfect decoration! I would really love to try this!
I saw somebody did this too and I really like it. It looks so pretty! Thanks for the tips.
This is actually brilliant and beautiful. It’s unique and a nice change for the traditional decors. Thank you for sharing this. Will definitely try this next year.
This is something that I never thought of, your decoration looks so lovely and so cute.
The great thing is that orange slices will make the house smell good even though they are dried out.