Welcome to this blog post, we’ll explore bringing natural elements into your home that will infuse a rustic look with inviting scents of star anise and orange slices. Anise stars are a culinary delight that makes a beautiful addition and adds a rustic festive touch to our homes. Get ready to begin an easy DIY project as we share a simple tutorial to create a stunning star anise garland with orange slices.

Amazing Creators Holiday

Welcome to the Amazing Creators Holiday Blog Hop!  As a special treat today, I am joining a group of my blogging friends to share Holiday ideas!  From recipes to decorating, tablescapes, and more. You will find tons of inspiration for the holiday season!  Once you are finished visiting everyone, you will have many holiday ideas! 

Follow along to see all of the tons of Holiday Inspiration. All the links to my creative friends’ posts are at the end of the blog.

Jump to DIY

In addition to sharing this star anise garland with orange slices, I will share a star anise garland. This easy craft takes moments to make. Minimal supplies are needed. This star anise garland has a more minimal look, it will be beautiful with Christmas decorations.

Most Asked Questions

What does an orange garland symbolize?

Oranges represent prosperity and good luck. When finished using your orange garlands, store them in a brown bag. It’s best to store them in a dry dark place and a well ventilated area. They can be taken apart and stored the same way and will last a long time. They can used next year and added to a decorative bowl with cinnamon sticks, anise stars, and pine cones.

How long do orange garlands last?

They will be at their best for two years. After two years the orange slices may darken in color. This doesn’t mean the oranges are bad. I usually make new dried orange slices after two seasons.

Why Dry Oranges Slices?

I have dried orange slices many times, and my favorite feature about these natural beauties is they last a long time. There are many ways to incorporate these into our home for a festive touch. 

And a BONUS, they work from fall through the winter months. 

I have a simple tutorial you can follow if this is your first time drying oranges. Get all the details from laying the orange slices in a single layer on a cooling rack on a baking sheet to oven temperature and drying time. 

Additionally, I have some easy craft and DIY projects for you to explore, including a dried orange rustic star anise Christmas wreath. I will also share details on how to make dried orange slice ornaments to add to your Christmas tree.

Crafting Orange Slice Garland

Adding Natural Elements

The beauty of crafting this star anise garland with orange slices is it only takes a little bit of time to put together. Whether you are an experienced crafter like myself or this is your first time making dried orange garlands. Additionally, all the items can be found in the grocery store. The most time-consuming part of this easy DIY is the drying process of the orange slices.  

Besides anise stars, I will share alternative pieces to add to your dried orange slices.

However, I will share a secret star anise, one of my favorite pieces to add to oranges. I use anise stars in our home during the holiday season and winter months. These are perfect to add to simmering pots with cinnamon sticks and fresh cloves.

I adore their star shape and their spicy middle notes of cinnamon. 

Combine anise stars with pine cones, dried orange slices, and cinnamon sticks in a decorative bowl, and the result is gorgeous.

When I walk by, the aroma brings a smile and makes me say, Ahh.

Star Anise Garland With Orange Slices

Step 1: Easy DIY Select Oranges

When drying orange slices, navel oranges and the blood orange work best. This is due to their uniform round shape and thick skin. That being said, I have also dried mandarins. I enjoy drying mandarin because they are the perfect size to enhance centerpieces throughout our home. These provide another natural way to decorate and work through the winter months. 

Tip: Because mandarins have a thin rind, they will last one holiday season. Because this is an easy DIY, I don’t mind drying them each year.

Craft Supplies Needed:

• orange slices
• anise stars
• sharp knife
• paper towel
• baking sheet or cookie sheet
• cooling rack
• parchment paper
• twine 
• large sewing needle
• hot glue gun
• hot glue sticks
• scissors

Step 2: Slice Oranges

Use a sharp knife to cut orange slices 1/4 inch thick slice. Each dried orange slice will serve as a canvas for our star anise garland with orange slices.

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Step 3: Dry The Sliced Orange

Heat the oven to its lowest temperature or use a food dehydrator, then add the oranges to a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Bake for 4-6 hours until completely dry.  Ensure the orange slices don’t touch one another, and flip the slices halfway through the drying process. 

Tip: Due to oven variations, after flipping each orange slice. Check on them often during the last hour to make sure they are not getting burned. I also recommend rotating the baking sheet for uniform drying.

Step 4: Look Through Star Anise

If you purchase anise stars at the grocery store, the pieces will be smaller than on my star anise garland. If you would like anise stars the same size as my orange garland, I recommend purchasing them from Amazon.

Do I have an easy DIY to use the leftover anise stars? Why, yes I do, I created this easy craft last year for a star anise wreath. This is an easy DIY for your leftover anise stars. This adds a rustic look with natural elements to the backs of chairs, to your home for the holiday season. 

Heat your hot glue gun and add a dab of hot glue around the small holes on the orange slice. Place star anise in the center of the orange and hold for a second to set.

I forgot to take a picture of this step for my post. Here I’m sharing how to hot glue anise stars to orange slices I had left from my DIY.

As always use extra caution when using a hot glue gun. Make sure children and pets can’t get tangled in the cord to avoid burns. Never leave a hot glue gun unattended.

Step 5: Thread The Garland

Trim the twine to the desired length for stringing your star anise garland with orange slices. Thread the sewing needle and make small holes on either side of the sliced orange using a toothpick or skewer. Pull the thread through each slice from the back, ensuring a taut fit. It’s optimal if there’s no slack between the twine and the orange.

Star Anise Garland Satin Ribbon

Step 1: Cut Ribbon

This DIY garland is easy and beautiful, adding another natural way to enhance our Christmas decorations. This will infuse our homes with their beauty and natural elements through the winter months.

Craft Supplies:

• anise stars or small cinnamon sticks
• satin ribbon or velvet ribbon
• scissors
• hot glue gun
• hot glue sticks
• tacks, command hooks, or double-sided tape

Tip: Before adding hot glue, lay the anise stars on the ribbon. This will enable perfect spacing when making this easy craft to add to your home during the holiday season.

Cut satin or velvet ribbon to the desired length, and add a dab of hot glue to the ribbon. I positioned the anise stars on the ribbon before applying hot glue with the hot glue gun. This ensured that the spacing of each piece was consistently even.

Attaching Garland

To secure the garland, I opted for a Florentine corn-on-the-cob holder. We gently tapped it with a hammer, just enough to hold the star anise garland in place.

After securing the holder, I incorporated velvet ribbon to conceal the sticks to make it pretty.

Options To Hold Ribbon:

To hold the ribbon I place it on a shutter or a tall decorative item use:

• double-sided tape
• command hooks
• staples
• tacks

Always consider the material and finish of the item you are going to hang a piece like this in your home. Test your chosen method in a discreet area first so it won’t cause any harm or damage.

Combining my star anise garland with my pinecone wreath combines elegance and natural elements. It’s a great way to add a rustic look for the holiday season. This wreath is an easy DIY I made this a few years ago. It is one of my favorite projects and looks as good as the day it was made.

Options you may want to consider for orange garlands:

Cinnamon Sticks:

• Add a dab of hot glue to small cinnamon sticks. Add to the center of the orange slices for a rustic look.

Bay Leaves: 

• Add a subtle earthy aroma, adding bay leaves with a dab of hot glue gun. Add bay leaves over the small holes on each dried orange slice. 
• Bay leaves add more natural elements and are the perfect way to add a festive touch to orange garlands.

Small Pine Cones: 

• As I mentioned in other blog posts pine cones are a favorite way to add a touch of nature. I enjoy adding these to our home from fall through the holiday season. 
• Add these to the orange garland by wrapping floral wire around the base of the pine cones and lower scales and twisting the wire tight.
• Add the pine cones and wrap floral wire through the small holes in the center of the orange. Tighten it to keep them stable on orange garlands. 
• If you feel more comfortable, add a dab of hot glue to the orang slice and the pine cones. Hold to set.

Cloves: 

• Add fresh cloves to your orange slices. 
• When adding cloves, I recommend adding these to the orange slices before the drying process. 
• Lay each slice of orange on a cutting board and push the clove with your finger. Be sure the star on the clove is facing up. 
• These look beautiful in the center of the orange slice around the small holes in the center of the orange.
• Before the drying process add cloves to the outer edge through the orange flesh. Adding cloves is another way to incorporate natural elements to decorate your Christmas tree or to add to your Christmas decorations.
• Making the orange slices into ornaments is an easy craft idea. String a piece of twine through the small holes in the center of the orange. Tie a knot, and hang the perfect ornaments on the Christmas tree.

Fresh Pine: 

• Trim small pieces of fresh pine to add to your orange slices. This will add a pine scent the natural way to your orange garlands.
• If you add fresh pine, be sure to mist it daily with water. This will keep the fresh pine looking its best through the winter months. Hang these on a Christmas tree and a garland.

Rosemary Sprigs: 

• If you can’t use fresh pine, add sprigs of Rosemary to the orange slices. 
• This will have a similar earthy scent to fresh pine. You will need a mist Rosemary with water daily to keep them looking their best during the holiday season and winter months.

Make This Easy DIY!

1. Get Crafty Today: Dive into this easy craft by creating your own Star Anise Garland with Orange Slices. Follow our simple tutorial and infuse your home the natural way.
2. Share Your Creations: Crafted your orange garlands? Share a snapshot on social media and tag us @clochesandlavender! We’d love to see how you’ve added a festive touch to your space.
3. Explore More Festive Ideas: Looking for more holiday season DIY projects? Check out our blog for additional easy crafts and ideas to make your holiday season merry and bright!

Conclusion:

In conclusion, crafting this star anise garland with orange slices is not only an easy DIY. It infuses natural elements and adds a rustic look into your home the natural way for the holiday season.

Whether you are a seasoned crafter or making orange garlands for the first time, the simplicity of materials makes this an easy craft project that doesn’t take a long time. Dried oranges extend beyond this garland, offering a festive touch to our homes from fall through winter. 

Enjoy dried oranges in centerpieces, make a smaller wreath with orange slices, or add them to your Christmas tree. The possibilities are endless

Share your finished star anise garland with us.

Happy crafting!

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For More Holiday Inspiration, Please Visit My Friends’ Posts! 

• Snow Place Like Home for the Holidays  from Kimberly at From Farmhouse to Florida
• Star Anise Garland with Orange Slices by Cindy from Cloches & Lavender
• DIY Dried Orange Slice Ornaments by Sue from Shop at Blu
• DIY Christmas Countdown Calendar by Kristin from 5th Sparrow No More
• Repurposed Cookie Sheet Christmas Sign by Kim from Exquisitely Unremarkable
• Elegant Winter Wreath by Crystal at Sweet Valley Acres
• The Best Christmas Decor Ideas for Decorating Your Home by Rachel from Tea and Forget Me Nots
• The Perfect Gifts for Couples to Give Each Other by Sharon from Now Choose Life
• Nature Inspired Wood Slice & Pinecone Christmas Ornaments from Donna at An Organized Season
• Peppermint Christmas Bowl with Popcorn by Maria from Pure Happy Home
• Homemade Christmas Thin Mint Cookies by Kristy from At Home With Kristy
• Crochet Christmas Tree Pattern from Sara at Birdz of a Feather
• The Best Kitchen Christmas Decorating Ideas for a Cozy Home by Kim at Perfecting Places
• A Holiday Farmhouse Kitchen Table from Linda at Bushel and a Pickle
• Christmas Tree Brownies from Rosemary from My Home and Travels
• DIY Charger Plates for Christmas from Carol at Blue Sky at Home
• A Holiday Gingerbread House Party by Mary Anne from House of Mar

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