Easy Dried Orange Wreath

Creating A Nostalgic Farmhouse Dried Orange Wreath

How to create a nostalgic dried orange wreath with a double-layered design and tips for drying oranges!

For generations, citrus has held a special place in our homes, not just as a treat but as a symbol of warmth, celebration, and prosperity. It wasn’t that long ago, that citrus was considered a luxury in North America. 

You see, before modern refrigeration and shipping standards, fresh oranges were quite rare in many parts of the country. During the 19th century, receiving an orange in your Christmas stocking was a cherished tradition, a sign of generosity and abundance during the holiday season.

Beyond being a prized gift, the practice of drying oranges quickly became a beautiful way to make the most of such rare fruit. 

Today, the tradition continues, not just for its beauty but also for its nostalgic connection to simpler times. After drying oranges to make this swag I just had to use them again, because I love how they create a simple and affordable decorative touch with a nod to yesteryear. 

The beauty of a dried orange wreath captured my attention with the timeless appeal of handmade decor. Whether hung on a door, displayed above a mantel, or used as a centerpiece, it’s a reminder that some of the best decorations come straight from nature.

Learning to make this classic decoration was much easier than I thought it would be! 

So, whether you’re decorating your home for the season or are looking for a weekend craft to create, DIY ORANGE WREATHS HAVE IT ALL. Beauty, warmth, and natural charm – you can’t go wrong with dried orange slices in a wreath!

I’ll show you how to create a nostalgic dried orange wreath with a double-layered design and tips for drying oranges.

This post contains some affiliate links, Thank you for your support, please read the full disclosure policy.

How To Dry Oranges For Wreaths?

Orange’s golden hues and natural charm have made them an essential part of rustic farmhouse decor, bringing warmth and citrus scents indoors through the colder months.

When you learn how to slice and dry oranges to preserve their vibrant color and fragrance, you can use them in everything from garlands to pomanders, candles, wreaths, and even potpourri. 

There are two ways to go about creating dried orange slices for wreaths:

#1 Oven Dry Oranges 

Learn how to dry orange slices for decoration the way generations before you did. It’s a simple method anyone can do with these steps. 

#2 Dehydrate Oranges

With a little know-how,  and a dehydrator you can capture the vibrant hue and refreshing scent of oranges with this technique.

What are the best oranges to dry?

You can create lasting vibrant dried oranges with a variety of orange types. 

I dehydrated navel oranges to create this DIY farmhouse wreath!

DIY Dried Orange Wreath Tips

You know what they say, “Why Buy When You Can DIY”! 

Natural, nostalgic, and perfect for any season – it’s fairly easy to create a beautiful dried orange wreath. But, there are a few extra tips you should know.

Avoiding Mold & Insects

Take care to dry the oranges completely before starting this project. Dried orange slices attract bugs DO NOT attract insects. Homes & Gardens Magazine even recommends using orange peels as a natural deterrent to pests such as mosquitoes, flies, and ants. 

HOWEVER, if any moisture is left in your orange slices they could attract bugs and risk growing mold. So, use one of the drying techniques shared above to ensure this doesn’t happen. 

Don’t Toss Unperfect Slices 

There’s no need to toss orange slices that didn’t turn out perfectly. Instead, separate your dried oranges into two piles. Place the best-looking slices in one row and the others in a separate row. 

Use the second row of not-so-perfect slices as your first layer in the design. Only peeks of the 1st layer are seen in the final wreath design. 

Hang Before You Finish

Before you finish you’re dried orange wreath hang it up to complete those finishing touches.

Study the wreath from different perspectives, checking for orange slices that need more glue to stick to the wreath base. Or look for those hard-to-see translucent hot glue ribbons you can discard. 

With these extra tips and the following instructions, you can easily create a nostalgic dried orange wreath!

Bring Warmth & Tradition Into Your Farmhouse With A Homemade Dried Orange Wreath

Homemade wreaths are a traditional way to add warmth and nostalgia to your farmhouse. Packed with color this dried citrus wreath is quick and easy to create with step-by-step instructions.

How To Make A Dried Orange Wreath With Double Layers

1. When you’re orange slices are dried (scroll above for instructions), prepare your workspace on a flat surface. 
2. The best way to attach dried oranges to wreaths is with a low-temperature mini hot glue gun. We don’t want to risk burning the orange slices with super hot glue and we don’t need a lot of glue to make the orange slices stick. 
   • So, start with heating a single mini clear glue stick in your glue gun. 
3. Then separate your dried orange slices into two piles. One pile for the top layer and one pile for the bottom.
   • Tip – Use your best-looking slices in the top layer. 
4. Now using minimal glue start attaching the first layer of dried oranges to a 9-inch bamboo wooden embroidery hoop. 
5. Next, overlap the first layers of orange slices with a second layer. See the photo for example. I used 22 navel oranges to form the wreath.
6. Once complete, slowly lift it up and carefully inspect that all the oranges are secure. Adjust and apply more glue as needed. 
   • I suggest hanging the wreath at this point to look for any needed finishing touches. 
7. To hang your wreath gently, loop ribbon around the wreath and create a loop above the oranges. You may use hot glue to adhere the ribbon if you like.

Bring the nostalgia home with farmhouse charm and timeless citrus decor in a double-layered dried orange wreath!

• Wooden Egg Craft
• Easy Dried Orange Wreath
• Farmhouse Fireplace Mantel Decor Ideas
• DIY Lavender Candle Melts
• Cranberry Floating Candle Centerpiece