Dried Orange Wreath With Natural Decorations

dried-orange-wreath-featured-image

Discover a simple yet lovely crafting project a dried orange wreath with natural decorations. Along with this great project, I’ll also present various other easy DIY ideas to enhance your orange wreath. When it comes to holiday decor, nothing surpasses the charm of incorporating natural elements and making dried orange slices a perfect choice for our home.

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Inspiring My Readers

My ultimate goal is to inspire and spark creativity in my readers, offering them simple crafts and home decorating ideas that will prepare your home decor for the holiday season. With the festivities bringing loved ones together, it’s the perfect time to make inexpensive Christmas craft pieces that welcome guests into your home.

In this post, we’ll be sharing a great way to make a dried orange wreath, which is an easy project for your home throughout the cooler months and the holiday season. This dried orange wreath is not only a great addition to your fall and Christmas decorating but also serves as an excellent homemade gift for someone special. Imagine decorating your coffee table or front door with this lovely orange wreath, complete with a battery-operated flickering candle. It’s a wonderful way to celebrate togetherness and give heartfelt gifts that will be cherished.

The good news, this DIY Christmas wreath is a great activity for the whole family during the cozy months, accompanied by a crackling fire. The best part, this is an eco-friendly way to get a head start on your holiday decor.

This craft is one of our favorite ways to incorporate natural elements into our Christmas decorating. It embraces everything magical this time of year, dried oranges, cinnamon sticks, gilded walnuts, and star anise. What makes this easy project even more special, are the preserved acorns I’ve treasured for years. Adding all these natural elements to this finished wreath brings a charming touch to your holiday decorations.

Table Of Contents

Why Do We Decorate With Oranges?

  • Scent and fragrance: Dried oranges have a refreshing and pleasant aroma. With the beautiful addition of dried oranges into decorations, people can enjoy the natural scent that can uplift the feel of a room, especially during the fall or holiday season. Dried orange slices and dried oranges can retain their fragrance for a long time which makes this a sustainable and eco-friendly way to decorate for the holiday season.
  • Seasonal representation: Dried oranges are often associated with certain seasons, such as winter or autumn when they are in abundance. For example, during fall harvest festivals, oranges can be incorporated into decorative displays to celebrate the bountiful harvest and the transition to the holiday season.

Why We Hang Oranges at Christmas?

Hanging citrus slices at Christmas is a tradition that has roots in both historical and symbolic significance. Here are a few reasons why this practice developed:

  • Historical association: In the past, fresh fruits, including oranges, were a luxury and not readily available throughout the year. During the holiday season, when fresh produce was scarce, oranges became a special treat and were often given as gifts. Hanging citrus slices for Christmas decorating was a way to showcase these prized fruits and add a touch of indulgence during the holiday season.
  • Decorative appeal: Citrus slices, when dried, become visually appealing with their color and unique texture. By hanging them as a Christmas decoration, they add a touch of natural elements and beauty to holiday decor. The orange hues of the citrus slices can complement other traditional Christmas colors and contribute to the overall aesthetic appeal.
  • Traditional symbolism: Some believe that the circular shape of the citrus slices represents eternity or the continuous cycle of life. Additionally, the orange color is reminiscent of the sun and warmth, bringing a sense of joy and optimism during the holiday season.

How Long Do Dried Oranges Last?

Dry oranges generally last about two or three years. Meaning they’ll look their best for the first couple of years, and start to turn increasingly darker.  However, this doesn’t mean the citrus slices are bad or unusable! 

Do Dried Citrus Slices Attract Bugs?

Craft With Confidence: No Bugs In Your Dried Oranges

NO!  Bugs are attracted to the juice in citrus. So, as long as your dried orange slices are removed from excess moisture and completely dry after the drying process, they will not attract bugs.  Thank goodness for this fact.  What would we do without these dried citrus slices in our homes? 

Is The Drying Process Difficult?

Drying Oranges Like A Pro: Is The Drying Process As Simple As It Sounds?

I’m excited to share with you just how easy it is to dry oranges. At Cloches & Lavender, we strive to provide our readers with extensive answers and solutions.

To dry oranges, use your oven and follow a low-and-slow method. Slice oranges with a sharp knife into approximately 1/4-inch slices and dab them with a paper towel. Flip the citrus slices and dab them with a paper towel. This thickness is a great way to ensure the citrus slices dry evenly and thoroughly. 

Next, arrange the citrus slices in a single layer on a wire rack on top of a baking tray or cookie sheet and place them in a low temperature oven. Adding parchment paper to the baking can be done but we don’t find it to be a necessity.

 It only takes about 4-6 hours to make dried oranges, but it’s essential to rotate them periodically during the process. The rotation guarantees that all sides of the slices dry evenly, resulting in beautifully dried oranges.

Editor’s Tip: Transform Your Home with Timeless Elegance – Natural Christmas Decor  

  • Drying Process: Be sure to read about how to dry orange slices and how dried oranges are an eco-friendly way to decorate our homes for the holiday season.
  • Heat Oven: Read about setting the oven at a low temperature and why this is the dried oranges and natural elements are the perfect way to decorate without extra cost for the best way for dried citrus.
  • Best Oranges: Learn which oranges are the best for the drying process, such as blood oranges.
  • Easy Project: Drying oranges whole and fresh orange slices is the perfect way to make a beautiful and easy way to make a DIY dried orange garland. We share how to use a clear fishing line and other natural elements for this inexpensive Christmas craft idea. This is a great activity for the whole family while watching a favorite movie.
  • Natural Elements: Embrace nature and natural elements for the holiday season such as pine cones, evergreen branches, and cinnamon sticks when adding holiday decor. Most of these items are free from your own yard or parks.
  • Beautiful Addition: Learn how we couple dried oranges with star anise, pine cones, fresh greenery, and evergreen branches for the holiday season and how it works straight through the winter season.
  • Dried Lavender: See one of our favorite ways we combined dried oranges with dried lavender and other natural elements for an easy project.

Using this drying process, dried oranges can be used for various DIY projects. For Christmas decorating, make dried oranges to add to an orange slice garland, add them to a eucalyptus wreath, and beautiful garlands with a seeded eucalyptus garland. This would be so much fun and a great activity to do with the whole family.

Editor’s Tip: Make orange ornaments to hang on the Christmas tree. Add twine, jute, or ribbon through the small holes in the center.  A great way to add more natural elements is to add small pine cones, star anise, and a small piece from evergreen branches.

Incorporating dried oranges and citrus slices into this wreath not only enhances the natural elements for the cooler weather and holiday season. It also brings together elegant yet rustic elements, a combination that is one of my favorite ways to add decorations to our home decor during the holiday season

Opting for a grapevine base is the perfect choice for this wreath project. The grapevine base adds a touch of organic beauty complements the look of this simple DIY Christmas wreath and adds to the other natural elements. 

Other Wreath Base Options:

Set the hot glue gun on a low setting when using a foam wreath form.  If the hot glue is too hot, it will break down the Styrofoam.

I especially like the texture a grapevine round adds to this DIY Christmas wreath.

orange-wreath-closeup
orange-wreath-closeup

Supplies List:

  • 18″ wreath blank of your choice
  • dried oranges navel oranges work best
  • walnuts in the shell
  • paint
  • hot glue gun and glue sticks
  • cinnamon sticks
  • acorns
  • star Anise
  • paint brush
  • floral wire (optional)
  • glue pot (optional)

Gather Your Materials

Add Paint To Nuts

Step 1: Painting The Walnuts Adds Sparkle To The Orange Wreath

Start gilding walnuts using champagne craft paint. It’s best to make this orange slice wreath on a flat surface.

acorns-cinnamon-sticks-acorns-make-dried-orange-wreath-with-slices
acorns-cinnamon-sticks-acorns

Add Paint To Nuts

Step 1: Painting The Walnuts Adds Sparkle For The Holiday Season

Start gilding walnuts using champagne craft paint.

champagne-craft-paint
champagne-craft-paint
gilded-nuts
gilded-nuts

Build The Wreath With The Dry Orange Slices

Step 2: Hot Glue Gun: Hot Glue Slices In Smaller Sections

The first step, using a hot glue gun, hot glue the dried oranges on top of the wreath. Add the dried orange slices in smaller sections using hot glue.

Another great way to attach the dried citrus is to use a clear fishing line or a piece of floral wire to hold the citrus slices. Make sure to pull the clear fishing line tight to keep each orange slice tight and flat.

Overlap different sizes of the dried citrus slices when making this simple orange decoration for when it’s added to your holiday decor.

Next, glue each dried whole orange to the top of the orange slices with hot glue onto the farmhouse wreath.

Tip: Remember when using a hot glue gun and hot glue to make sure children and pets stay away to avoid burns.

make-dried-orange-wreath-with-slices-first-orange-slice-glued
first-orange-slice-glued
holding-dried-clementine
holding-dried-clementine

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All opinions are my own.

grapevines-wreath-covered-with-dried-citrus-slices
dried-citrus-slices

Using A Glue Pot 

Step 3: The Glue Pot: Attaching Dried Oranges To A Nature Inspired Wreath

Typically, I would utilize my hot glue gun to attach the dried oranges for this DIY Christmas wreath. However, I recently decided to experiment with a new product offered by Surebonder, and I must say, I am thoroughly impressed. This product has exceeded my expectations and I bought a larger size last year. It provides a secure and reliable hold, allowing me to effortlessly incorporate the dried oranges into this orange slice wreath.

glue-pot
glue-pot

Start Adding Pieces To The Wreath

Step 4: Adding The Natural Elements To The Dry Oranges

The paint of the walnuts and cinnamon sticks is a beautiful addition to the citrus slices and adds another natural element and texture to the entire wreath.

Next, hot glue the walnuts nestling them beside the dried oranges.

Here, carefully hot glue the cinnamon sticks next to the dried orange slices and add another beautiful aroma to this wreath as well as more texture to the Christmas decoration.

Editor’s Tip: Use caution when applying hot glue. Keep children and pets away from the wires and hot glue gun to avoid injury and burns. 

The fragrance of the cinnamon sticks fills the wreath with a warm and inviting fragrance that complements its charming appeal. Furthermore, the contrast of the dried orange slices and the rough, textured surface of the cinnamon sticks adds depth and interest to the wreath, making it a centerpiece for the holiday season.

one-cinnamon-stick
cinnamon-stick
cinnamon
cinnamon

Adding Star Anise

Step 5: Elevate The Entire Wreath with Rustic Charm – The Star Anise Magic 

Adding star anise adds a beautiful woodsy smell with its intricate design to the dried orange slices on the orange wreath for holiday decor.

make-dried-orange-wreath-with-slices-star-anise
star-anise

Acorns Are Dry Brushed 

Step 6: Finishing The Seasonal Wreath: Glue The Acorns 

The next step, enhancing the acorns with the same paint used on the walnuts is a great way to add an elegant touch to these natural elements. To achieve this, we’ll use a dry brush technique, and I’ve provided a detailed tutorial on how to achieve this simple process.

Not only is this technique quick, but it’s also incredibly easy to apply. The key is to use a small amount of paint on your brush. Dip only the tip of the brush into the paint and then wipe off any excess on a paper towel before applying it to the acorns.

Lightly brush over the surface of the acorns. This technique allows the natural look of the acorns to shine through while adding a touch of color. It’s a great way to maintain the organic look of the acorns and incorporate them alongside the citrus slices on the wreath.

gilded-acorns
gilded-acorns

Collecting Acorns

Collect Acorns From The Yard

The acorns used for this easy project are gathered from the yard. When working with real acorns collected from nature, it is important to clean and bake them before including them in crafts.

In the mentioned blog post, I provide a detailed guide on the process of saving, cleaning, and preserving real acorns, guaranteeing their longevity for years to come. In fact, my own collection of acorns is over 20 years old and still retains its original beauty. Additionally, I share creative ways to decorate our home with these tiny natural treasures alongside dehydrated fruit.

Now, let’s get back to this orange slice wreath. It’s time to grab your hot glue gun and attach the acorns and star anise to the top of the dried orange slices. This step adds a captivating touch to the wreath, bringing together different natural elements and creating a natural farmhouse wreath.

walnut
walnut

Add Ribbon And Hang

Step 7: Hang The Finished Wreath

When adding this to natural Christmas decor, don’t forget to add a ribbon of your choice to the top of the wreath. Think outside the box, instead of using a traditional red ribbon, or a piece of gray buffalo check ribbon, consider using lace as an option that contrasts with the rustic nature of the dried orange wreath. The delicate and intricate patterns of lace create a charming look when paired with the natural elements of this wreath. Simply attach the ribbon to the top of the wreath, allowing it to hang from the top of the door frame. Now, find the perfect spot in your home to display this dried orange wreath and let its natural beauty shine throughout the holiday season into the winter months.

 finished-dried-citrus-wreath
finished

Packing The Wreath 

Step 8: Preserving Perfection: Storing Your Rustic Natural Orange Wreath With Ease

The good news is that this dried orange wreath will last for two seasons allowing it to be used next Christmas, making this an eco-friendly way and a reason to craft dry orange Christmas decorations. To secure its longevity, store the wreath in a cool and dry place in your home. You can lay it on a flat surface or hang it from a shelf in a basement, attic, or closet whichever works best for your storage space. By taking proper care of this farmhouse wreath during the off-season, you can look forward to bringing it out again next Christmas and continue to enjoy its timeless beauty.

dried-orange-wreath-closeup
dried-orange-wreath-closeup

Reasons To Make This Easy Project!

  1. Create Your Own Natural Wonderland: Embrace the magic of the holiday season by crafting your own dried orange wreath with natural elements. Follow our easy steps to add a touch of rustic charm to your home decor. Share your creations with us and inspire others to add the beauty of nature to their homes.
  2. Explore Endless Possibilities: Dive into the world of DIY holiday decor and dried oranges. Discover how versatile they can be by making garlands, ornaments, and more. Experiment with different combinations of natural elements like cinnamon sticks, walnuts, and star anise. Unleash your creativity and make this holiday season special.
  3. Spread the Joy: Consider making dried orange wreaths or ornaments as handmade gifts for family members. Let this holiday season be a celebration of creativity and togetherness, and make an inexpensive Christmas craft.

I hope this inspires you to try a dried orange wreath, a DIY dried orange garland, or orange ornaments in your home for the holiday season and throughout the winter. We would love to know if you will try drying oranges, gilding nuts, or making your own orange slice garland for the cooler seasons. Feel free to send us an email with any questions or leave your questions in the comments section.

Please let me know your thoughts about your Christmas decorating plans.

Make sure to follow me on Pinterest, Facebook, and Instagram.

Have a Great Day
Have a Great Day
DRIED-ORANGE-WREATH-PIN
DRIED-ORANGE-WREATH-PIN

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DRIED ORANGE WREATH WITH NATURAL DECORATIONS

This dried orange wreath is a great addition to your fall and Christmas decorating it's also an excellent homemade gift for someone special.
Decorate your coffee table or front door with this lovely orange wreath, complete with a battery-operated flickering candle. It's a wonderful way to celebrate togetherness and give heartfelt gifts that will be cherished.
Prep Time4 hours
Active Time30 minutes
Total Time34 minutes
Keyword: cinnamon sticks, citrus slices, dried orange wreath, dried oranges, holiday decor, holiday season, hot glue gun, natural elements, paper towels, star anise
Yield: 1 wreath
Cost: 15

Equipment

  • 1 A hot glue gun and glue sticks
  • 1 Hot glue pot optional
  • 1 Baking Sheet drying oranges
  • 1 paper towel
  • 1 paint brush optional
  • 1 grapevine wreath blank or a wire wreath frame
  • 1 sharp knife optional
  • 1 roll floral wire

Materials

  • 1 whole dried orange
  • 12 pieces dry orange slices
  • 10 pieces walnuts
  • 12 pieces acorns
  • 1 bottle champagne craft paint or gold paint
  • 24 pieces cinnamon sticks
  • 1 jar Star anise

Instructions

  • Step 1: Painting The Walnuts Adds Sparkle For The Season
    '
    Start gilding walnuts using champagne craft paint.
  • Step 2: Hot Glue The Thin Slices To The Base
    The first step, using a hot glue gun, hot glue the dried oranges on top of the wreath.
    Add the dried orange slices in smaller sections using hot glue.
    Another great way to attach the dried citrus is to use a clear fishing line or a piece of florists wire to hold the citrus slices.
    Make sure to pull the clear fishing line tight to keep each orange slice tight and flat.
    Overlap different sizes of the dried citrus slices when making this simple orange decoration for when it's added to your holiday decor.
    Next, glue each dried whole orange to the top of the orange slices with hot glue onto the farmhouse wreath
  • Step 3: The Glue Pot: Attaching Dried Oranges To A Nature Inspired Wreath
    Typically, I would utilize my hot glue gun to attach the dried oranges for this DIY Christmas wreath.
    I used a glue pot I refer to above in this post.
  • Step 4: Adding The Natural Elements To The Citrus Slices
    The paint of the walnuts and cinnamon sticks is a beautiful addition to the citrus slices and adds another natural element and texture to the entire wreath.
    Next, hot glue the walnuts nestling them beside the dried oranges.
    Here, carefully hot glue the cinnamon sticks next to the dried orange slices and add another beautiful aroma to this wreath as well as more texture to the Christmas decoration.
  • Step 5: Elevate The Entire Wreath with Rustic Charm – The Star Anise
    Adding star anise adds a beautiful woodsy smell with its intricate design to the dried orange slices on the orange wreath for holiday decor.
  • Step 6: Finishing The Seasonal Wreath: Glue The Acorns
     
    The next step, enhancing the acorns with the same paint used on the walnuts is a great way to add an elegant touch to these natural elements.
    To achieve this, use a dry brush technique, and I’ve provided a detailed tutorial on how to achieve this simple process.
    Not only is this technique quick, but it’s also incredibly easy to apply.
    The key is to use a small amount of paint on your brush.
    Dip only the tip of the brush into the paint and then wipe off any excess on a paper towel before applying it to the acorns.
    Lightly brush over the surface of the acorns.
  • Step 7: Hang The Finished Wreath
    When adding this to natural Christmas decor, don’t forget to add a ribbon of your choice to the top of the wreath.
    Think outside the box, instead of using a traditional red ribbon, or a piece of gray buffalo check ribbon, consider using lace as an option that contrasts with the rustic nature of the dried orange wreath.
    The delicate and intricate patterns of lace create a charming look when paired with the natural elements of this wreath.
    Simply attach the ribbon to the top of the wreath, allowing it to hang from the top of the door frame.
    Now, find the perfect spot in your home to display this dried orange wreath and let its natural beauty shine throughout the holiday season into the winter months.

Notes

 

Dried Orange Wreath With Natural Decorations

 

Supplies List

  • 18″ wreath blank of your choice
  • dried oranges navel oranges
  • walnuts in the shell
  • paint
  • hot glue gun and hot glue sticks
  • cinnamon sticks
  • acorns
  • star Anise
  • paint brush
  • glue pot (optional)
 

Gather Materials

dried-orange-slices-make-dried-orange-wreath-with-slices
dried-orange-slices
 
acorns-cinnamon-sticks-acorns-make-dried-orange-wreath-with-slices
acorns-cinnamon-sticks-acorns
 

Step 1: Painting The Walnuts 

Start gilding walnuts using champagne craft paint.
 
champagne-craft-paint
champagne-craft-paint
 
make-dried-orange-wreath-with-slices-gilded-walnuts
gilded-nuts

Step 2: Hot Glue The Citrus Slices

 
Use a hot glue gun and hot glue the dried oranges on top of the wreath.
Add the dried orange slices in smaller sections using hot glue.
Another great way to attach the dried citrus is to use a clear fishing line or a piece of floral wire to hold the citrus slices.
Pull the clear fishing line tight to keep each orange slice tight and flat.
Overlap different sizes of the dried citrus slices when making this simple orange decoration for when it’s added to your holiday decor.
Next, glue each dried whole orange to the top of the orange slices with hot glue onto the farmhouse wreath.
 
 
make-dried-orange-wreath-with-slices-first-orange-slice-glued
first-orange-slice-glued
 
make-dried-orange-wreath-with-slices-holding-dried-clementine-to-set
holding-dried-clementine-to-set
 
grapevine-wreath-covered-with-dried-orange-slices
grapevine-wreath-covered-with-dried-orange-slices

Step 3: The Glue Pot: Attach Dried Oranges 

Typically, I would utilize my hot glue gun to attach the dried oranges for this DIY Christmas wreath.
I used a glue pot I refer to above in this post.
glue-pot
glue-pot

Step 4: Adding The Natural Elements To The Citrus Slices

 
The paint of the walnuts and cinnamon sticks is a beautiful addition to the citrus slices and adds another natural element and texture to the entire wreath.
Next, hot glue the walnuts beside the dried oranges.
Here, carefully hot glue the cinnamon sticks next to the dried orange slices and add another beautiful aroma to this wreath for more texture to the Christmas decoration.
make-dried-orange-wreath-with-slices-holding-dried-clementine-to-set-2-cinnamon-sticks-added
2-cinnamon-sticks

Step 5: Hot Glue – The Star Anise

 
Adding star anise adds a beautiful woodsy smell with its intricate design to the dried orange slices on the orange wreath for holiday decor.

.

make-dried-orange-wreath-with-slices-star-anise
star-anise

Step 6: Finishing The Wreath: Hot Glue The Acorns

 
The next step, enhancing the acorns with the same paint used on the walnuts is a great way to add an elegant touch to these natural elements.
To achieve this, use a dry brush technique, and I’ve provided a detailed tutorial on how to achieve this simple process.
Not only is this technique quick, but it’s also easy to apply.
The key is to use a small amount of paint on your brush.
Dip only the tip of the brush into the paint and then wipe off any excess on a paper towel before applying it to the acorns.
Lightly brush over the surface of the acorns.
acorns
acorns
 
dried-orange-wreath-closeup
dried-orange-wreath-closeup

Step 7: Hang The Finished Wreath

When adding this wreath add a ribbon of your choice to the top.
Think outside the box, instead of using a traditional red, or a piece of gray buffalo check ribbon, consider using lace as an option that contrasts with the rustic nature of the dried orange wreath.
The delicate lace creates a charming look when paired with the natural elements of this wreath.
Attach the ribbon to the top of the wreath, allowing it to hang from the top of the door frame.
Now, find the perfect spot in your home to display this dried orange wreath and let its natural beauty shine throughout the holiday season into the winter months.
Don’t forget to check all my tips that are in the post for this easy project.
Happy crafting!

closeup-of-finished-star-anise-craft-project
finished-wreath

Star Anise Wreath

eucalyptus flowerpot wreath
eucalyptus flowerpot wreath

Easy DIY Eucalyptus Wreath

https://rstyle.me/+W5eMjG8KvwZq0r4HV5GRZg https://rstyle.me/+h4hT-iWYlBfFzvyJh8jMeg https://rstyle.me/+WgOc_MsuikQ3OvAEj0G_Fg https://rstyle.me/+bfLg1awp_LueaHyhwjIuwg

88 thoughts on “Dried Orange Wreath With Natural Decorations

  1. It’s absolutely beautiful!! I love the addition of the whole clementine. I don’t think I’ve seen that before. It really makes the wreath look extra special!

  2. Thank you for this post, I have always wanted to make one, and now I have the instructions to do so! Looks great and I bet it smells pretty good too!

  3. Really love the way it turned out. Usually they are so flat looking, but yours has so much dimension to it. Great job!

  4. This wreath is seriously so stunning! I always appreciate all the layers of texture you add to your wreaths and vignettes. They’re really pretty! Can’t wait to try your wreath making technique. I swear you make it look so easy! Hugs, CoCo

  5. This is wonderful. And thanks for the tip about storing it in a paper bag. Wouldn’t have thought of that.

  6. I just adore your wreath!!! The devil is definitely in the details here as you have created so much texture!
    I love it and just may need to make one myself:)

  7. Darn, I just passed up a bunch of acorns on my walk this morning. I had so wanted them, but I had a pup who was being mischievous and I could not get acorns and hold him on his leash at the same time. Thanks for the inspiration. I will have to go back less one pup to pick them up!

  8. Oh Cindy! What a gorgeous way to bring natural elements to a seasonal wreath. Thanks for the tutorial so I can make my own. This would make a lovely gift, as well.

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