Dried Orange Slice Ornaments

Orange slice ornaments are a traditional winter holiday craft for kids and adults of all ages. Follow the step-by-step instructions below to create your own natural sun wheel ornaments and DIY Christmas decorations!

Dried orange slice ornaments are a traditional winter holiday craft that kids and adults can make. Also known as sun wheel ornaments or sun wheels–orange slice ornaments are naturally beautiful, give off a delightfully sweet and joyful fragrance, and add a natural rustic touch to any winter holiday decorations.

Dehydrated orange slice ornaments are a traditional holiday craft often made to decorate for the winter solstice and Christmas. Because they symbolize the Sun and the returning light, dried orange slices are used to create ornaments for the Christmas tree, handmade wreaths, and strung together to make garlands. They are also placed in the boughs of evergreens and sprinkled throughout various Christmas decorations and other winter holiday displays.

Dried orange slice Christmas ornaments are easy to make, but they do require some time to dry. Be sure to read through the instructions for drying oranges and making sun wheel ornaments to understand the steps involved and what to expect before you begin. First published on December 21, 2021, this post is regularly updated to improve the content. You might also enjoy this list of homemade Christmas Ornaments kids can help make.

How to Make Orange Slice Christmas Ornaments:

Oranges and other citrus fruits are traditionally dried or dehydrated and used in several ways to make orange slice solstice decorations and dried orange Christmas ornaments. Because there are so many variables involved, this tutorial consists of two parts: 1) How to dry orange slices, and 2) How to make dried orange slice ornaments, with a complete step-by-step tutorial at the end.

First, I explain how to dry oranges in the oven, along with our best tips on baking orange slices. Next, I will show you how to make dried orange slice ornaments with freshly dehydrated oranges and other citrus fruits. The step-by-step ornament craft tutorial and orange drying tips below make it easy.

Related Post: Squeeze Fresh Orange Juice: Montessori Practical Life Activity

Orange Slice Ornaments Baking and Craft Supplies:

• Oranges or other citrus fruits
  • Drying times may vary; please refer to the step-by-step instructions below.
• Sharp kitchen knife
• Cutting board
• Oven (or convection oven with a dehydrator setting).
• Cookie sheet and parchment paper
  • These won’t be needed if you are using a convection oven with a dehydrator to dry the oranges, because you can use the wire rack that comes with it instead.
• Ribbon, baker’s twine, natural jute twine, monofilament (fishing) line, or craft wire
• Small multicolored craft bows or red satin bows (optional)
• Depending on how you make your dried orange slices into ornaments and other decorations, you might also need a sewing needle with a large eye. Read through the instructions below for more information.

How to Dry Oranges for Ornaments:

You must first dehydrate or dry out the oranges to make DIY orange slice ornaments. Follow the simple instructions below to learn how to dry oranges to make Christmas ornaments and other holiday decorations. However, please be aware that dehydrating oranges for ornaments is not an exact science. There can be significant differences in the time required to dry various varieties, shapes, and sizes of oranges and other citrus fruits. For best results, please scroll down to read through our tips on drying oranges for ornaments.

Related post: Citrus Printing Process Art

How to Dry Orange Slices for Ornaments:

• To dry oranges to make ornaments, you must first cut them into slices.
  • Use a kitchen knife to cut oranges or other citrus fruit into slices that are about a quarter-inch thick.
  • Gently pat the citrus slices dry with a dish towel to remove excess juice
  • Leave orange slices out to air dry for 12 to 48 hours before baking in the oven (optional but recommended).
    • In my experience, this optional step can help decrease cooking time and allow the citrus slices to retain their sunny golden and bright orange colors.
    • While putting them directly into the range (or convection oven) to cook and dehydrate can decrease total preparation time, the orange slice ornaments will often appear darker when finished.
• Please place them in a single layer on a cookie sheet lined with parchment paper (or directly on a wire rack in a dehydrator) and dry them in a low-heat oven at 200°F (93°C or on the dehydrate setting in a convection oven) for several hours.
• Please read through the list of orange drying tips and the complete step-by-step dried orange slice craft tutorial below for best results!

Related: DIY Christmas Ornaments

Drying Oranges for Ornaments: Best Tips and Tricks for Citrus Slices

My daughter and I have spent a lot of time drying oranges to make citrus slice ornaments over the years. As a result, we’ve learned a great deal about what to do and what not to do when drying oranges. Our best advice? Don’t forget that they are in the oven! Set a timer to check them every 30 minutes for best results.

It may seem simple, but drying oranges for ornaments can be a long, slow process, and it’s easier than you think to forget about them. I have forgotten them in the oven more than once over the years. The best part about drying oranges in the oven (or dehydrator) is the deliciously sweet smell that wafts through the house as they bake and dehydrate. Discover the best way to dry oranges for ornaments with the step-by-step DIY tutorial below:

1. The drying times of citrus slices can vary:

• Because citrus fruits vary in size and moisture content, drying and cooking times can vary radically.
• The humidity level at which they are dried can also affect the time it takes to dry, dehydrate, or cook.
• Experiment with oranges, mandarins, grapefruits, lemons, limes, and other citrus fruits.

2. Pat citrus slices dry with a towel:

• Lay the orange slices on a towel or cutting board and gently pat them with a dish towel (or paper towel) to remove excess moisture before dehydrating in the oven or allowing them to air-dry.
• Flip them over to get as much moisture as possible from both sides.

3. Allow orange slices to air dry before baking (optional but recommended):

• Leave the citrus or orange slices on a wire rack (or a towel) to air-dry in a warm, dry place, such as your kitchen counter.
• This will help remove excess moisture from the slices before baking them (optional).
  • When orange slices are left out to dry before baking, they require less cooking time.
  • Set citrus fruit slices aside and allow them to dehydrate for 12 to 48 hours before cooking them in a low-heat oven.
• These drying methods will increase the total drying time, but they will help decrease the time required for drying citrus or orange slices in the oven.
• This optional step can also help prevent them from burning and retain their bright, radiant colors.
• Citrus slices can be completely dehydrated by air-drying for several days (or longer) without cooking, baking, or oven-drying, provided the humidity is low.
  • I live in a dry climate, where I can hang the ornaments on the tree after air drying alone, and the orange slices never grow mold.
  • If you live in a humid climate, you will most likely need to bake or dehydrate them in an oven to dry them completely.
• Please discard any orange slices that grow mold.

4. Cook orange slices in a low-heat oven (or convection oven with a dehydrator):

• Place the orange slices in a single layer on a baking sheet or tray lined with parchment paper, or place them directly on a wire rack in a convection oven.
• Bake orange slices in a low-heat oven at 200°F (93°C) for 2 to 6 hours.
• Or cook them in a convection oven on the “dehydrate” setting to dry them out.

5. Set a timer to check and turn slices every 30 minutes:

• Set a timer to turn them every 30 minutes, and bake them until they are a dark golden yellow-orange.
• The orange slices don’t need to be entirely dehydrated when you take them out of the oven because they will continue to dry out over time.
• If you leave citrus slices in the oven too long, they can turn dark brown, which is not entirely terrible, but is also not ideal.

6. Remove the citrus slices from the oven if they get too brown or burnt:

• Remove the citrus slices from the oven immediately if you notice them burning or getting too dark
• Allow the orange slices to continue air-drying outside the oven or dehydrator on a wire rack or towel in a warm, dry place.

7. Allow orange slices to continue to air dry for a day or two:

• Baked orange slices often require more time than it takes to cook them to dehydrate completely.
• Once you take the sliced oranges out of the oven, they usually need a few more days to completely dry.
• However, they can be made into orange slice ornaments and crafts as soon as they are firm enough to thread a ribbon or wire through and hung on the tree to continue drying.

8. Use dried orange or citrus slices for ornaments, winter crafts, and other DIY Christmas decor:

• Once the orange slices are dried or dehydrated, string them into garlands, attach them to Christmas wreaths, or create sun wheel ornaments using the step-by-step craft instructions in the next section.

How to Make Dried Orange Slice Ornaments:

Next, it’s time to turn the dried citrus slices into rustic orange slice Christmas ornaments. The instructions below include the steps mentioned in “How to Dry Oranges” from the section above.

1. Cut oranges into slices:

• Use a shape knife to cut oranges into slices about 1/4 inch thick.

2. Dehydrate orange slices:

• Please refer to the tips and instructions in the section above to learn how to dry orange slices for use as ornaments. A basic outline of the steps to dry or dehydrate citrus slices follows:
  • Place the sliced oranges in a single layer on a towel or cutting board. Gently pat them dry with a dish towel and allow the orange slices to air dry for 12 to 48 hours.
    • This optional first step can help initiate the drying process and reduce total cooking time once the item is placed in the oven to bake and dehydrate.
    • In dry climates, citrus slices can be completely dehydrated through air drying alone, eliminating the need for baking or cooking.
  • Next, place orange slices in a single layer on baking sheets lined with parchment paper or directly onto the wire rack in a convection oven.
  • Bake or cook in a dehydrator, a convection oven, or a low-heat oven at 200°F (93°C) for 2 to 6 hours.
  • Set a timer to check and flip the orange slices every 30 minutes as they bake in the oven to prevent burning.
  • If the orange slices become too brown or burnt, remove them from the oven and let them air dry, or allow them to continue air-drying for a few days.

3. Turn dried orange slices into ornaments and other Christmas crafts:

• You can use dried orange slices to make ornaments to hang on your Christmas tree, as well as other kinds of winter crafts. For example:
  • To hang dehydrated oranges, string them onto twine, wire, monofilament fishing string, or ribbon by poking holes in each slice and threading the string through.
  • Then hang the finished garland or tie individual slices with a loop at the end.
  • For a garland, leave space between each slice and create a loop at each end for hanging.
  • Use twine, monofilament line, or craft wire to attach dried orange slices to wreaths and other winter solstice or Christmas crafts.
  • Read through the step-by-step instructions below for more detailed instructions:

How to Make Orange Slice Ornament Hangers:

• Cut a 4 to 12-inch piece of ribbon, baker’s or jute twine, monofilament (fishing line), craft wire, etc.
• Thread one end of the ribbon, twine, string, or wire through each dried orange slice (or other citrus fruit) to create an ornament hanger for each orange slice using the following instructions:
  • Use a knife to poke a small hole below the peel and thread the ribbon through it.
  • Alternatively, you can use a large-eyed sewing needle with these step-by-step instructions:
    • First, thread the 4-12-inch section of ribbon or twine through the large eye of the sewing needle.
    • Next, punch the needle through the flesh sack of the orange slice (or other citrus fruit) just under the peel.
    • Then, pull the ribbon through the dried orange.
    • If desired, string cinnamon sticks, pine cones, cranberries, apple slices, bay leaves, wooden beads, and other natural elements onto the ribbon, wire, string, twine, or fishing line to add to the ornament.
    • Finally, remove the sewing needle if you haven’t already.
  • Tie the ends of the ribbon or twine together to create a simple loop to hang the orange slice ornament.
  • Or fold the twine or ribbon in half before you push the folded end through the orange.
    • Tying the ornament hanger with this method, using the instructions below, helps the dried orange slice ornament hang flat:
      • Thread the two ends of the string, ribbon, or twine through the hanger loop that has been punched through the orange slice.
      • Add optional natural elements to the ornament hanger, such as cinnamon sticks, pine cones, acorns, apples, cranberries, bay leaves, and wooden beads.
      • Tie the two ends of twine or ribbon together to complete the loop.

Related: How to Color or Dye Wooden Beads

How to Add a Small Bow to Orange Slice Ornaments (optional):

• Adding a small bow can give the orange slices the appearance of a small Christmas wreath with a bow, but it is optional.
• Follow the simple instructions below to add a bow to each orange slice ornament, or leave them as is for a natural, rustic look.
  • Use craft wire to tie a lightweight Christmas bow and secure it in place at the bottom or top of the orange slice.
  • Or attach the bow with a dollop of hot glue to the dried orange ornaments.
  • Miniature bows are easy to assemble, convenient to store, and simple to remove from the orange slices after Christmas and store for reuse next year.
    • Alternatively, you can use them to make Valentine’s Day and Saint Patrick’s Day crafts.

DIY Orange Slice Ornaments FAQ’s:

Orange slice sun wheel ornaments are a traditional Christmas and winter craft. Learn more about these sunny citrus crafts with the frequently asked questions (FAQs) below!

What do dried orange slices symbolize?

• Oranges symbolize abundance and are believed to bring good fortune, peace, prosperity, and a sweet and happy life.
• Dried orange slices in winter holiday decorations symbolize hope for a prosperous year.
• Orange slices are also considered a symbol of the Sun and the returning light.

Can you air-dry oranges?

• If you live in a dry climate, it is possible to air-dry oranges naturally without baking or dehydrating them.
• To dry sliced oranges naturally, place them on a wire rack (or towel) in a warm, dry place, such as your kitchen counter.
• Turn them at least once per day.
• If drying on a towel instead of a wire rack, replace the towel with a dry one if it becomes damp.
• Orange slices will take several days, or longer, to dry using this method.

What kind of citrus fruits can be made into ornaments?

• While oranges are the most traditional citrus fruit ornaments, several other kinds of citrus fruits can be used to make dried citrus slice ornaments and other crafts:
  • Valencia oranges, navel oranges, blood oranges, mandarins, grapefruits, lemons, and limes, as well as other citrus fruits, can all be transformed into citrus ornaments to decorate the Christmas tree or add to DIY holiday home decor.

How Long Do Dried Oranges Last?

• When dried and stored correctly, orange slices last approximately two to three years.
• If any moisture remains, the orange slices can develop mold and rot, so please ensure they are completely dehydrated before storing them away until next winter.
• Citrus slice ornaments can darken in storage, but the orange slices my daughter and I made last year smell as sweet and fragrant as the day we created them.
  • When I opened the box we put them in last year, a joyful scent–sation wafted through the entire house!

Why do people hang dried orange slices?

• Because they symbolize the sun and the returning light, dried orange slices are often strung together to make garlands, placed into evergreen wreaths, and hung upon the Christmas Tree to decorate for the winter holidays.

Why do people put dried oranges on Christmas trees?

• People place dried oranges on Christmas trees to represent the sun’s return after the winter solstice.
• Oranges are a traditional gift for Yule (the winter solstice) and have been used to make winter holiday crafts since ancient times, as well as in modern times for Christmas DIY decor.
• This tradition explains their use in Yule and Christmas crafts and decorations, including ornaments.
• The bright colors and warm, sweet aroma of these citrus fruits also enhance the festive ambiance of the holiday season.

What do Oranges Have to do with the Solstice and Christmas?

• Oranges are seen as an ancient symbol of the Sun.
• After the winter solstice, the sun becomes more present as each day grows longer. Oranges were brought into homes (along with evergreen boughs and holly berries) because these natural items are symbols of eternal life and light, and people believed that they would bring the light of the Sun indoors during the darkest time of the year.
• Many believe oranges stimulate merrymaking during the darkest time of the year and bring love, prosperity, and a sweet and happy life.
  • For example, orange essential oil is said to lift the mood and reduce stress, so many people use the scent of citrus to help increase feelings of joy and happiness.
• In ancient times, orange slice ornaments and crafts made with them offered the same benefits, so they were created to help lift spirits during the dark days of winter, and used as decorations for the winter solstice, Yule, or Christmas.

Why are Orange Slice Ornaments Called Sun Wheels?

• A Sun Wheel is a circle with an equal-armed cross within it.
  • Also known as the Sun Cross, Solar Cross, Wheel Cross, Pagan Cross, Woden’s Cross, and Odin’s Cross, it is a widely recognized ancient spiritual symbol in many prehistoric cultures worldwide.
• The cross inside the Sun Wheel divides the circle into four equal parts, representing the solar calendar marked by the solstices and equinoxes, as well as its four annual seasons (winter, spring, summer, and fall or autumn).
• The sun wheel is also said to symbolize the four elements (fire, earth, water, air, or ether) and the four cardinal directions (East, West, North, and South).
• Learn more about the sun wheel symbol, what it stands for, and its early origins HERE–> Ancient Symbols.

DIY Orange Slice Sun Wheel Ornaments:

Drying oranges for ornaments takes time, but it is a really easy craft project for kids or adults. The good news is that you can do other things while waiting for them to dry, but don’t forget about them in the oven.

First, gather the necessary materials from the baking and craft supply list above. Next, follow the simple instructions to turn them into dehydrated orange slice ornaments. And finally, string these sunny little rustic ornaments together to make a garland, add them to evergreen wreaths, use them to decorate your Christmas tree, or give them away as gifts to family and friends.

We hope you enjoy the sweet smell of oranges wafting through the house during the short, dark days of winter as they bake in the oven as much as we do. You may also enjoy using oranges and other citrus fruits to create art prints and personalized gifts. Learn more here: Citrus Printing Process Art.

Be sure to also check out winter solstice traditions and Christmas celebration ideas for even more festive holiday ideas. Happy holidays!

Learn more about Nell Regan Kartychok, author and photographer of this dried orange slice ornament craft HERE, and Rhythms of Play HERE!

Homemade Ornament Crafts:

• Homemade Christmas Ornaments Kids Can Make
• Rustic Acorn Marble Ornaments
• Beaded Snowflake Ornaments
• Snowman Ornaments
• Angel Ornaments
• Baby Jesus Ornaments
• Snowman Head Ornaments
• Christmas Tree Twig Ornaments

Christmas Ideas:

• Fun Family Christmas Traditions for a Magical Holiday
• Gifts for Mom and Grandma That Will Put You in the Good Book
• DIY Gifts for Dad or Grandpa
• Homemade Gifts Kids Can Make
• Handmade Christmas Card Ideas
• Fingerprint Lights Christmas Tree Cards

Winter Ideas:

• Gorgeous Winter Art Projects and Painting Ideas
• Colorful Winter Tree Silhouette Art
• Winter Bucket List of Fun Activities
• Printable Winter Scavenger Hunt
• Winter Solstice Traditions and Celebration Ideas