Super Easy DIY Dried Orange Garland

        This classic decor items has made its way into my heart and home! I made a strand for my Halloween mantle and I just love how it transitioned through the end of Autumn, and on through the holidays. 

        This was one of those DIYs that seemed much more difficult than it actually was. Check out my tutorial and how I use them in my decor!

••••••••

I added this dried orange garland to my Halloween mantle and I loved the touch of color and texture. They transitioned perfectly into my Thanksgiving/November mantle.

What you'll need:

• Naval oranges
• Knife
• Parchment paper
• Cookie sheet
• Skewer
• Twine or string of your choice

Step 1: Slice naval oranges in 1/4" pieces.

Step 2: Arrange the orange slices on a parchment paper lined cookie sheet

Step 3: Use the "Dehydrate" setting on your oven, or approx 175°-200°F

Step 4: Flip orange slices every 2 hours until they have a plasticy texture. The centers should not be sticky or gummy. My oranges took about 7 hours. I pulled some of the smaller pieces out a little earlier and left some of the "meatier" slices in for a little extra time. 

Step 5: Cut your twine to your desired length, leaving an extra 10" or so for tying. {you can always shorten this later, be sure to have a little more than you think to create a loop if needed.} Use a skewer {I used a metal chopstick} and pierce a hole or two, to lace the twine through.

Voila! Insto-chango... you now have some cute garland to string up wherever you'd like!

Tips:

• Don't throw the ends or extra pieces of orange peel out! Simmer them in a few cups of water with some cinnamon sticks to fill your home with the perfect holiday scent!
• Experiment with other citrus like lemons and grapefruit for size and color variations.
• Pat the slices dry with a paper towel as you go to remove extra moisture. This will speed up the dehydration process.
• If you opted for a higher temperature, be sure to flip more often. If you're noticing the slices curling, flip more often.
• If you feel like the dehydrating process is taking a long time, up the temperature {but be sure to keep an eye on it to avoid burning.} The goal is to remove moisture, not cook them. 
• These make great potpourri filler too! Combine in a dish with scented pinecones, cinnamon sticks, etc! 

 There you have it! I hope this helps you create some beautiful garlands or glass filler. I'd love to know how you decorated with them in the comments below, or tag me in your photos on Instagram {@littlemamawandering} I'll share my favorites!