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Warm spice, winter sunlight and returning warmth

Dried Orange & Cinnamon Garland

Make a warm, fragrant garland from dried orange slices, cinnamon and simple materials already waiting around the cottage.

Time 2–3 hours plus drying
Difficulty Gentle beginner
Makes One 1–1.5 metre garland
Afterwards Reuse, compost or repurpose

What You Need

Quantities are flexible. Add more or less depending on how long and full you want your garland to be.

  • 2–3 oranges
  • 4–8 cinnamon sticks
  • Strong cotton thread, embroidery thread or thin twine
  • A large sewing or darning needle
  • Scissors
  • Baking trays and baking paper
  • Optional wooden beads
  • Optional evergreen sprigs, bay leaves or dried peel
  • Optional saved ribbon or narrow fabric strips

Use what you have: cinnamon sticks can be replaced with tied bundles of small twigs, wooden beads with knots or rolled paper beads, and ribbon with strips cut from old fabric.

Before You Begin

The orange slices must be fully dry before threading. Any trapped moisture can cause mould during storage.

  1. Decide roughly where the garland will hang so you know how long to make it.
  2. Cut a length of thread at least 30–40 cm longer than the finished garland.
  3. Keep the decorations away from open flames, stoves, radiators and hot bulbs.
  4. Avoid adding plants or berries unless you know they are safe, especially in homes with pets or children.
  5. Wash and dry your oranges before slicing them.

Every Step

1

Slice the Oranges

Slice the oranges across the middle into rounds about 4–6 mm thick. Try to keep the slices fairly even so that they dry at a similar rate, but do not worry if a few are imperfect.

A very thin slice may tear when threaded, while a thick slice can remain damp in the centre.

2

Blot Away the Juice

Lay the slices between clean tea towels or sheets of kitchen paper and press gently. Removing excess surface juice helps the slices dry more evenly and reduces the time needed in the oven.

Do not squeeze or crush the slices. A gentle press is enough.

3

Dry Them Slowly

Arrange the slices in a single layer on lined baking trays. Dry them in a very low oven at approximately 90–100°C, turning them every 30–45 minutes.

Depending on their thickness and moisture, they may take 2–4 hours. Remove any slices that become dry before the others.

Oven temperatures vary. Check regularly so that the slices dry rather than scorch. Leave them to cool completely afterwards.

4

Plan the Pattern

Place the dried slices, cinnamon sticks, beads and any other additions on the table before threading. Try a loose repeated pattern, or arrange them more naturally with uneven spacing.

Leave enough bare thread at both ends for hanging loops or ties.

5

Thread the Orange Slices

Thread the needle and tie a firm loop or knot at one end. Pass the needle through the orange flesh just beneath the rind, then bring it back through on the opposite side. This helps the slice hang facing forward.

Do not place the holes too close to the outer edge, as the dried rind may split.

6

Add Cinnamon and Other Pieces

Tie cinnamon sticks directly onto the main thread with a short separate piece of twine, or bind two small sticks together first and attach the bundle. Add beads, dried peel, fabric strips or small greenery sprigs between the orange slices.

Fresh greenery will dry over time. Use only small sprigs and expect the garland to change gently as the season passes.

7

Finish the Ends

When the garland reaches the length you want, tie a secure loop at the second end. Lift it carefully from the worktable and check how the decorations fall before hanging it.

Slide or retie any pieces that bunch together, then trim loose thread ends if needed.

8

Hang and Adjust

Hang the garland from two secure hooks, ties or removable supports. Avoid stretching it tightly; a gentle curve helps the orange slices and cinnamon hang naturally.

Keep it away from heat, damp, steam and curious paws.

A Note on Drying and Fire Safety

Never leave an oven unattended while drying fruit. Dried orange, cinnamon, thread, paper, ribbon and greenery are all combustible, so the finished garland must remain well away from candles, fireplaces, cooking appliances, radiators and hot lights.

Store and Use Again

At the end of Yule, remove any fresh greenery and make sure the remaining pieces are completely dry. Wrap the garland loosely in acid-free tissue or clean paper and store it in a breathable box somewhere dry. Check it before using it again.

Return or Repurpose

Untreated orange slices, twigs and greenery can usually be composted once thread, wire and decorations have been removed. Cinnamon sticks can be reused in another decoration, and beads, ribbon and thread can return to the worktable.