20+ Dried Orange Slice Christmas Decor Ideas
There’s something about dried orange slices at Christmas that instantly makes a home feel warm, cozy, and nostalgic.
Their rich orange color looks beautiful mixed with fresh greenery, pinecones, velvet ribbon, candles, and twinkle lights—and the best part is that they’re inexpensive and incredibly easy to use.
Whether you want to make a dried orange garland, decorate your Christmas tree, create a pretty holiday tablescape, or simply add a few natural touches around your home, there are so many ways to decorate with dried oranges.
Here are some of my favorite dried orange slice Christmas decor ideas to try this holiday season.
How to Make Dried Orange Slices
Making dried orange slices for Christmas decor is surprisingly simple.
What You’ll Need
- Fresh oranges
- Sharp knife or mandoline
- Baking sheet
- Parchment paper
- Paper towels
Directions
Preheat your oven to about 200°F.
Slice the oranges approximately ¼-inch thick. Try to keep your slices fairly even so they dry at about the same rate.
Gently pat each orange slice with a paper towel to remove some of the excess moisture.
Arrange the slices in a single layer on a parchment-lined baking sheet, making sure they aren’t overlapping.
Bake for approximately 3–5 hours, flipping the slices occasionally so they dry evenly.
The exact drying time will depend on your oven and how thick your slices are. They are ready when the centers no longer feel wet or juicy.
Allow them to cool completely before using them in your Christmas decor.
Don’t want to make your own? You can also buy dried orange slices and skip straight to the decorating!
DIY Dried Orange Wreaths and Garlands
One of the prettiest ways to use dried orange slices is in a Christmas wreath or garland.
The warm orange color looks especially beautiful against fresh or faux evergreen branches.
Try combining dried orange slices with:
- Pinecones
- Eucalyptus
- Cinnamon sticks
- Red or white berries
- Velvet ribbon
- Wooden beads
- Twinkle lights
You don’t have to completely cover your garland in oranges either. A few slices tucked throughout the greenery can make a big impact.
A dried orange garland looks beautiful draped across a fireplace mantel, staircase railing, doorway, kitchen window, or console table.
Decorate Your Christmas Tree With Dried Orange Slices
Dried orange slices also make beautiful natural Christmas ornaments.
Simply thread a piece of twine or ribbon through the top of the dried orange slice and hang it directly on the tree.
For a slightly more decorative look, pair the orange slices with:
- Wooden beads
- Small pinecones
- Cinnamon sticks
- Greenery
- Bells
- Ribbon
The light from your Christmas tree shines through the translucent orange slices and gives them the prettiest warm glow.
This is especially beautiful if you love a traditional, rustic, farmhouse, vintage, or natural Christmas decorating style.
Dried oranges also work beautifully with vintage Christmas decor, especially when paired with old bells, brass accents, greenery, and classic ornaments.
How to Decorate With Dried Orange Slices
You definitely don’t have to turn every orange slice into an ornament.
There are so many simple ways to work them into the Christmas decor you already have.
Try adding dried orange slices to:
- Christmas garlands
- Mantel decor
- Wreaths
- Bowls and trays
- Candle displays
- Christmas trees
- Table centerpieces
- Place settings
- Gift wrapping
Even a simple bowl filled with dried orange slices, pinecones, greenery, and ornaments can make an easy holiday centerpiece.
Dried Orange Slice Christmas Mantel Ideas
Dried oranges are perfect for decorating a Christmas mantel because they add a little color without overwhelming the rest of your decor.
Start with a full evergreen garland and tuck dried orange slices throughout.
Then layer in pinecones, berries, eucalyptus, ribbon, or small ornaments.
Add a few candles or twinkle lights and you have a Christmas mantel that feels cozy and collected without looking overly complicated.
I especially love dried oranges with deep green velvet ribbon, brass accents, and warm white lights.
Dried Orange Slices for Christmas Table Decor
Dried orange slices are also an easy way to make your Christmas table feel special.
Tuck them into an evergreen centerpiece or place one at each place setting.
You can also pair them with:
- Linen napkins
- Cinnamon sticks
- Rosemary
- Evergreen sprigs
- Candles
- Pinecones
Because the oranges add such a beautiful pop of color, you can keep everything else very simple.
A neutral table with white dishes, greenery, candles, and dried oranges can look incredibly elegant.
Dried Orange Slice Gift Wrapping Ideas
This might be one of my favorite ways to use leftover dried orange slices.
Wrap your gifts in kraft paper or simple Christmas wrapping paper, then finish them with ribbon or twine.
Tie on a dried orange slice along with a small piece of evergreen or rosemary.
It instantly makes even the simplest gift wrapping look thoughtful and beautiful.
You can also use a dried orange slice almost like a decorative gift tag.
Easy Ways to Use Dried Orange Slices for Christmas
If you have extra dried oranges and aren’t sure what to do with them, here are a few quick ideas:
- String them together for a dried orange garland
- Hang them on your Christmas tree
- Add them to an evergreen wreath
- Tuck them into mantel greenery
- Use them in Christmas centerpieces
- Add them to holiday place settings
- Decorate wrapped presents
- Fill a decorative bowl with oranges, pinecones, and greenery
- Add them to candle displays
- Mix them into Christmas shelf or console table decor
Sometimes just adding two or three dried orange slices to something you’re already decorating is enough.
How Long Do Dried Orange Slices Last?
Dried orange slices can last well beyond one Christmas season if they are dried thoroughly and stored properly.
Before storing them, make sure the slices are completely dry. Any remaining moisture can cause them to spoil.
After Christmas, place them in an airtight container and store them somewhere cool and dry.
If they still look and smell good the following year, you can use them again.
Final Thoughts
Dried orange slices are one of those Christmas decorations that look beautiful without costing much at all.
They add color, texture, and a cozy old-fashioned feeling to your holiday decor, and they work with so many decorating styles.
Use them on your Christmas tree, weave them into garlands and wreaths, add them to your table, or tie them onto gifts.
Whether you make your own or buy them ready to use, dried orange slices are an easy way to make your Christmas decor feel a little more special.
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