I don´t know about you, but for me, the smell of oranges is one of the loveliest smells I have ever known. When you add the scent of needles, vanilla, cinnamon … this is the real Christmas mix for me 🙂 In this post, I will show you a simple step-by-step tutorial how to make an unconventional Christmas wreath decorated with dried oranges slices. 

You will need*

For drying oranges

• Oranges (firm, quality fruitabout 3-4 pieces)
• Knife
• Chopping board
• Paper kitchen towels
• Baking paper
• Baking tray

Wreath

• Dried orange slices (made or bought)
• Straw wreath form
• Branches of Thuja
• Thin Garden Wire
• Hot glue gun and silicone sticks
• Scissors
• Metal candle spikes
• 4 candles
• Decorations (sparkly holiday balls)

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Tutorial

Step 1: Drying oranges

Dried orange slices are really easy to make. Grab a knife and cut the oranges into about 0,5cm thick slices. Lay your slices on a few paper towels. And then place them in a baking sheet.

The tutorials I found on the internet were quite different in the way of drying oranges. I found drying at 100 degrees, but also at 200 degrees. I first had the oven turned on 200° C, but when I saw the orange peel getting browns without drying the flesh, I lowered the temperature. So I dried the orange slices in the oven at 130ºC for 2,5 hours.

Be careful when slicing oranges so that the slices are even. This will help the slices to dry out evenly. You can see what happened to me: that the slices began to get burnt on the thinner side.

Of course, you can buy dried slices of oranges. But they don´t smell so good and are not flexible (which will be useful when sticking to the wreath).

Step 2

Cut out roughly 20cm long twigs from thuja. Use a thin garden wire to even wrap around the straw wreath.

Do not worry about seeing the wire. It will then be covered with slices of oranges and ornaments.

Step 3

Then place the candle spikes on the wreath.

Step 4

Use a hot glue gun to attach slices of oranges and other decorations to your wreath according to your imagination.

You see, making this unconventional Christmas wreath is not all that complicated at all. If you are looking for inspiration for the next Christmas creation, here you will find my tutorials for Christmas burlap wreath and Pinecones Christmas wreath.

If you like my tutorial, I will be happy if you share it 🙂 I wish you a beautiful Christmas time!