How to Make Dried Orange Garland (With Star Anise)

Making a dried orange garland with star anise is a simple way to add natural, old-fashioned charm to your Christmas decor. Using dried orange slices, brown floral wire, and whole star anise, thread and twist the orange slices onto the wire, leaving space between each one. Attach the star anise with hot glue, then weave in battery-operated twinkle lights for a warm, festive glow. Hang your finished garland across a window or mantel, or drape it over Christmas greenery on staircases and doorways.

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Want to make your own dried orange garland? I've gathered the supplies I used, including dried orange slices, whole star anise, and natural-looking floral wire, along with a few helpful finds to make recreating this charming garland easy. Shop the supplies for this dried orange garland.

There's something so charming about decorating with dried oranges, especially when they're strung together with star anise to create a beautiful, natural garland. The warm amber tones, rustic textures, and delicate shapes make this one of those simple decorating projects that feels both timeless and a little nostalgic.

One of my favorite things about this dried fruit garland is how easily it transitions from fall into Christmas. Right now, it looks beautiful hanging across my kitchen window, where the sunlight shines through the orange slices, giving them an almost stained-glass appearance. As the holidays approach, it can be layered over fresh or faux Christmas garland for a festive, old-fashioned look.

And the best part? It's surprisingly easy to make! I'll walk you through how to make a dried orange garland with star anise using my simple floral wire technique. We'll also cover how to dry your own orange slices, where to buy them already dried, and a few of my favorite ways to display your finished garland.

Watch: How to make dried orange garland

Supplies for making dried orange garland

You only need a handful of simple supplies to make this beautiful dried orange garland. I purchased my dried orange slices and whole star anise online, but you can also dry your own oranges if you prefer.

What you'll need:

• Dried orange slices: Homemade or store-bought slices both work beautifully.
• Whole star anise: Adds a pretty, star-shaped detail between the orange slices.
• Brown paper-wrapped floral wire: Creates the base of the garland and holds the oranges in place.
• Toothpick: For making small holes in the dried orange slices before threading the wire through.
• Hot glue gun and glue sticks: To attach the star anise to the wire.
• Wire cutters: For cutting the floral wire to your desired length.
• Battery-operated twinkle lights (optional): Add a soft, warm glow to the finished garland.

A note about the wire: I use this brown paper-wrapped floral wire for so many of my decorating projects! It's one of my favorite supplies because it has a natural, twig-like appearance that blends beautifully with dried fruit and evergreen branches. Unlike traditional string or twine, the wire also allows me to position each orange slice exactly where I want it and helps the garland hold its shape.

Note: All supplies for this dried orange garland are linked below

How to dry orange slices for garland

Drying your own orange slices is an easy and inexpensive way to make this garland. The key is removing as much moisture as possible while preserving the beautiful orange color and translucent centers that give the slices their stained-glass appearance.

Supplies needed to dry orange slices

• 3-4 fresh oranges: Navel oranges work well for their size and beautiful round slices.
• Sharp knife: For cutting the oranges into even, thin slices.
• Cutting board: To prepare the oranges.
• Paper towels: To blot excess juice and moisture from the slices.
• Baking sheets: Large enough to arrange the orange slices in a single layer.
• Parchment paper or oven-safe wire rack: To prevent sticking and allow the slices to dry evenly.

Preparing the oranges

1. Using a sharp knife, cut fresh oranges into even slices, approximately ⅛ to ¼ inch thick.
2. Gently blot both sides of each slice with paper towels to absorb excess juice.
3. Arrange the slices in a single layer on a parchment-lined baking sheet or an oven-safe wire rack, making sure they don't overlap.

Drying orange slices in the oven

1. Preheat your oven to 175-200°F (or its lowest setting).
2. Place the orange slices in the oven and allow them to dry slowly, approximately 3-6 hours, depending on their thickness and your oven temperature.
3. Flip the slices every 30-60 minutes to encourage even drying.
4. Check them periodically, removing any slices that finish drying before the others. They're ready when they feel dry and leathery, with no wet or sticky areas.
5. Allow the slices to cool completely before using them in your garland.

Tip: Take your time with this process! Lower temperatures help prevent excessive browning, preserving those beautiful amber tones. Make sure the slices are thoroughly dried before storing or using them in decorations.

Can you buy dried orange slices instead?

Absolutely! I purchased my dried orange slices on Amazon, and they're a wonderful time-saving option if you'd rather skip the drying process and get straight to making your garland.

Look for whole, evenly dried orange slices with pretty, translucent centers. Ready-made slices work just as well for this project, and you won't have to spend hours tending to the oven.

Shop the dried orange slices I used

How to make dried orange garland with star anise

Making your own dried orange garland is surprisingly easy, and the brown floral wire makes it simple to secure each orange slice exactly where you want it. Once the oranges are in place, you'll add whole star anise for a beautiful natural detail and finish with delicate twinkle lights.

Supplies needed to make dried orange garland

• Dried orange slices
• Whole star anise
• Brown paper-wrapped floral wire
• Toothpick
• Hot glue gun and glue sticks
• Wire cutters
• Battery-operated LED twinkle lights (optional)

Step-by-step Instructions

1. Step 1: Gather your supplies and prepare the wire

Gather your dried orange slices, whole star anise, brown floral wire, toothpick, hot glue gun, and wire cutters. Cut a length of wire slightly longer than your intended garland to allow extra room for hanging.

2. Step 2: Pierce the dried orange slices

Using a toothpick, gently make a small hole near the top of a dried orange slice, just inside the rind. Be careful not to press too hard, as dried orange slices can be delicate and may crack.

3. Step 3: Thread and secure the oranges onto the wire

Feed the brown floral wire through the hole in the orange slice. Position the orange where you'd like it, then give the wire a twist to hold it securely in place. Continue adding orange slices, leaving enough space between each one for the star anise you'll attach later.

4. Step 4: Attach the star anise with hot glue

Once all your orange slices are in place, add a small amount of hot glue to the back of a whole star anise. Position it against the floral wire between two orange slices and hold it gently for a few seconds until the glue sets. Repeat along the garland, filling the spaces between the oranges.

5. Hang your garland and add twinkle lights

Hang your finished garland wherever you'd like to display it. I secured mine across my kitchen window using two small nails in the upper corners, wrapping the ends of the floral wire around them. Once it was hanging, I loosely wove battery-operated twinkle lights in and around the oranges and star anise. I especially love how the sunlight shines through the orange slices during the day, giving them a beautiful stained-glass appearance, while the little lights add a warm, cozy glow in the evening.

Tips for making the prettiest dried orange garland

After years of working with flowers and natural materials, I've learned that it's often the little details that make a handmade project feel special. Here are a few of my favorite tips for creating a beautiful dried orange garland.

• Choose pretty orange slices. Look for slices with well-defined segments, warm amber tones, and intact rinds. I especially love the way the translucent centers catch the light.
• Try dried blood oranges for a different look. Blood orange slices have gorgeous deep red, rusty cranberry, and amber tones that give the garland a rich, vintage-inspired feel. You can purchase them already dried, just like regular orange slices. I think they'd be especially beautiful for Christmas!
• Plan your spacing. Before securing the oranges, think about where you'll place the star anise. Leaving a little breathing room between each slice allows those delicate star shapes to stand out.
• Use natural-looking floral wire. My favorite brown paper-wrapped wire has a rustic, twig-like appearance that complements the dried fruit. It also blends beautifully into Christmas greenery if you decide to layer your garland over evergreen branches.
• Handle the orange slices gently. Dried oranges can be fragile, especially around the edges. Use a toothpick to carefully create your holes, and avoid twisting the wire too tightly against the fruit.
• Don't worry about perfect spacing. A little variation in the placement of your oranges and star anise gives the garland that relaxed, collected look that makes natural holiday decorations so charming.
• Let the sunlight work its magic. If possible, hang your garland in a sunny window. When the light shines through the dried orange slices, they take on a gorgeous stained-glass appearance that's especially pretty during the day.

Get creative with natural accents. While I used whole star anise between my orange slices, there are so many ways to customize a dried orange garland! Try adding small bundles of cinnamon sticks, bay leaves, dried flowers, wooden beads, miniature brass bells, sprigs of evergreen greenery, pinecones, or even a few velvet ribbon bows. These little details can completely change the look of your garland, from rustic and natural to something a little more festive and elegant.

How to decorate with dried orange garland

One of the things I love most about dried orange garland is how versatile it is. The warm colors and natural textures look beautiful on their own, but they're just as pretty layered with Christmas greenery. Here are a few ways to display your finished garland throughout the fall and holiday seasons.

Hang it across a window

This is how I chose to display mine, and I absolutely love the effect! When sunlight shines through the dried orange slices, their translucent centers glow in beautiful shades of amber and gold, almost like stained glass. The star anise adds a delicate detail, and the twinkle lights make it just as pretty in the evening.

Layer it over Christmas greenery

Dried orange garland looks especially beautiful draped over fresh or faux evergreen garlands. Try layering it across a Christmas mantel, weaving it through staircase greenery, or draping it over a doorway. You can even tuck it into greenery displayed on shelves or hutches.

The brown floral wire is perfect for this because it blends naturally into the evergreen branches, allowing the orange slices and star anise to stand out. Let the garland drape loosely for a relaxed, collected look, securing it to the greenery in a few places as needed.

Transition from fall to Christmas

One of my favorite things about this project is that it doesn't have to be just a Christmas decoration. The warm orange tones and rustic star anise feel right at home with fall decorating, making this a beautiful garland to display well before the holidays arrive.

As Christmas approaches, simply layer it over evergreen branches and add a strand of warm white twinkle lights. It's such an easy way to transition your seasonal decor without starting over, and I love decorations that can be enjoyed for more than just a few weeks!

What to do with leftover dried orange slices

Have a few dried orange slices left over? Don't let them go to waste! These pretty little slices are wonderful for adding a natural, old-fashioned touch to all kinds of holiday decorations.

• Make Christmas tree ornaments. Thread a piece of twine or ribbon through a dried orange slice and hang it on your tree for a simple, natural ornament.
• Dress up wrapped gifts. Tie a dried orange slice onto a package with velvet ribbon, twine, or a sprig of fresh greenery for a beautiful finishing touch.
• Decorate holiday wreaths. Tuck dried orange slices into evergreen wreaths alongside pinecones, cinnamon sticks, and berries for a warm, rustic look.
• Add charm to holiday place settings. Tie a dried orange slice to a linen napkin with ribbon or tuck one into a small bundle of greenery at each place setting.

I especially love how these simple natural accents bring warmth and texture to Christmas decorating without feeling overly fussy or complicated.

How to make dried orange garland last longer

With a little care, your dried orange garland can last well beyond one holiday season! The secret is starting with thoroughly dehydrated orange slices and protecting them from moisture during display and storage.

Here are a few simple ways to keep your garland looking beautiful:

• Start with completely dried oranges. Whether you dry your own slices or purchase them already dehydrated, make sure they're dry throughout. Any remaining moisture can lead to softening or mold.
• Avoid excessive heat and humidity. Keep your garland away from heating vents, active fireplaces, and areas with cooking steam. Strong, direct sunlight can also cause the oranges to fade or become brittle over time.
• Store it carefully between seasons. Gently remove your garland and place it in a clean, airtight container, using tissue paper to protect the delicate slices. Store it in a cool, dark, dry location rather than a damp basement or attic.
• Check it before reusing. Dried orange slices may naturally darken, curl, or become more brittle with age. That's perfectly normal! However, if you notice mold, unusual softness, or insects, it's best to discard the affected decorations.

Should you seal dried orange slices? I prefer leaving mine uncoated because I love their natural, translucent appearance. Thorough drying and careful storage are my first choices for helping them last.

With proper care, dried orange garlands may be reusable for several Christmas seasons, making them an especially lovely handmade decoration to bring out year after year.

For more detailed preservation advice, storage tips, and everything I've learned about caring for dried fruit decorations, visit my guide on how long does a dried fruit garland last. Instructions for this dried apple garland is included.

Frequently asked questions about dried orange garland

More holiday DIY's for a handmade Christmas home

There's something so special about decorating with natural materials, and this dried orange garland with star anise is one of those simple projects that makes a big impact. I especially love seeing the sunlight shine through the orange slices in my kitchen window, giving them that beautiful stained-glass glow.

Whether you hang yours in a window, drape it across a mantel, or weave it through Christmas greenery, I hope this easy DIY inspires you to bring a little natural beauty into your home this season.

Happy decorating, friends!