Dried Oranges & Cranberries Christmas Decor

This is such a fun and simple yet classic way to decorate for Christmas! Plus it’s handmade and heartwarmingly therapeutic to make your own decorations for the season, right? 😉 My mother-in-law gave us a bag of cranberries and I had some leftover oranges and cuties we needed to use up, so we already had the other things we needed! I found several recipes online and ended up putting a few ideas together to create my own decorations! Here’s what I used and how I did it!

oranges (I had 5 or so medium oranges and cuties)

cranberries (I ended up using about 1pound for about four, three foot strands…you can also string just the cranberries without oranges for decoration)

string (I used regular sewing thread doubled over, but you could also use fishing string, dental floss, yarn, or twine, although the thicker it is the harder it would be to get through the cranberries)

large sewing needle

ground cloves (optional)

ground cinnamon (optional)

For cranberries: If they came refrigerated, layer a baking sheet with paper towels or a regular towel (one that you don’t mind getting stained!), and single layer cranberries on baking sheet. Let cranberries sit on counter until they get to room temp. The paper towels will help absorb extra moisture. Pick through and toss the squishy cranberries. They are now ready for stringing!

For oranges: Preheat oven to 200 degrees. Place 2 cookie cooling racks on top of baking sheets. Slice oranges about 1/4 inch thick and place on top of cookie cooling racks on top of baking sheets. (I think you can also just line a baking sheet with parchment paper or foil, but the cooling racks worked well to allow for more air flow since I don’t have a dehydrator). Optional, sprinkle one side with ground cloves and cinnamon for a little extra smell. Bake for 4 hours total, turning oranges over once halfway through.

Directions: Slide sewing needle onto thread, double over (if using common sewing thread) and cut about 3-4 feet long doubled over (6-8 feet total with doubling it over). Knot together then tie around a cranberry or orange to start the strand. String to your heart’s content! I strung 1 dried orange per every 5 cranberries. Knot/tie off around last cranberry or orange.

Notes: I didn’t want my strands too long for fear they’d be to heavy on the thread and break, but the 3-4 feet worked just fine! You can also use twine and string oranges individually for a nice natural ornament look!

What are your tips? What are your favorite handmade Christmas decorations or things to string? Comment below!