The holidays are such a fun and nostalgic time. It's my favorite time of the year to get creative and craft. There isn't anything revolutionary about this project, but it's just fun and SO inexpensive! This orange and cranberry garland will cost less than $10 and it makes me think of Christmas at my grandmas house (in the best way possible 😉)
All you need is a few oranges (4-6, depending on the length you're wanting to make your garland), one bag of cranberries, parchment paper, a threading needle, and some string! Let's get started!
First, preheat your oven to 225ºF so it will be ready to go when we're done with our oranges.
Now, we're going to cut our oranges into thin (1/8 to 1/4 inch) slices. Place them in rows on your baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Do not stack them or let them overlap. I like to blot the slices with a paper towel to absorb all excess moisture. This will help speed up the drying process.
Once your oven is pre-heated, your oranges are sliced and blotted, you're ready to pop them in the oven to dry!
They will need to dry in the oven for about 3 hours. I know, that sounds like a long time! It's much better for them to dry for longer at a lower temperature rather than quickly at high temperature to avoid burning your oranges. There is a little bit of an art to this!
Fast forward a few hours - your orange slices have dried and cooled. And your kitchen should smell amazing right about now 😉
Peel up your oranges and toss any that feel mushy.
Decide what pattern you like... I did 1 orange to 2 cranberries, but you can create whatever pattern you like! Once you feel good about your pattern, thread your needle with your string (you can also use fishing line) and poke your needle through the side of the peel and go across to the other side on peel to poke back through. String on your cranberries, and repeat! Keep stringing your pattern until you've reach your desired length.
Make sure you knot off both of your ends, and you're ready to hang your garland!
This is cute to hang on your mantel, weave in with your other garland, wrap your tree - your options are endless!
I love getting to make this every year. It's such a simple little craft that makes such a sweet statement in my home decor. Have you ever made an orange garland before? If so, tell me in the comments!
Thanks for reading along - here is to the most wonderful time of the year ❤️
