Turn Orange Peels into a Charming DIY Holiday Garland

As the holiday season approaches, many people look for new ways to add the sights and sounds of the season to their home. For some, that means annual traditions like creating homemade meals or decorations.

For one Facebook user, that means creating a festive garland from fresh oranges. The Facebook user @rachlvalente shared a tutorial on how to make the garland, showing her followers exactly how she turns the freshly sliced fruit into something special.

After she finished her project, she shared how she styled the holiday decor, hanging it on her shelf along with some pretty greenery and a few seasonal touches like Christmas trees and whimsical framed prints. 

Anyone looking to copy the project will be in luck, because it not only helps add a fresh scent to your home while you’re making the craft, but you only need a few very inexpensive materials to bring the DIY to life. Here’s what you need to know.

Oranges, Twine, and Cookie Cutters Are Must-Haves

The project begins with the Facebook user peeling some oranges for the rinds, while slicing up a few extra for a different craft. She then uses a small star-shaped cookie cutter to cut shapes from the peels, using a needle to add a few small holes to the shapes before placing the cutout pieces on a parchment-lined baking sheet. 

Next, she put the orange slices on a tray and put both sets into the oven to bake. Once she was done, she pulled them out, threaded some twine through the star shapes, and then hung the fresh garland from a shelf.

Commenters Had a Lot to Say About the DIY

With the holidays almost here, several commenters said they were excited to try the garland. “Don’t tempt me with a good time,” a commenter joked. 

Meanwhile, others wanted to know if it smelled as good as it seemed like it would. “Can you smell it once it’s baked and strung up,” one person asked. Other commenters who had made similar decorations shared their experiences. “It’s harder to smell once it’s baked,” one person wrote.

“They don’t smell once baked because they are dehydrated, which is what you want so they don’t spoil,” another added. 

You Can Try This With a Variety of Fruits

According to another commenter, people can branch out a bit if they wish to try this at home. “Could you do this with lemons or grapefruit,” someone asked. 

The Facebook user commented on the question, saying she hadn’t tried it in the past but that it would probably work. “I’d love to try blood oranges at some point,” she added.

“I’ve done it with lemons and limes,” another added. 

Although the garland makes a festive holiday decoration, the craft can be adapted for different seasons by using other types of citrus.