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DIY Christmas Garland with Dried Oranges and Cranberries

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Make a DIY Christmas garland made with dried oranges and cranberries.

I’ve already shared my dried orange slice ornaments and I loved them so much that I added a matching garland.

A DIY Christmas garland hanging on a Christmas tree with gifts underneath

When our oldest daughter was 3 years old we sold our first house and moved into my in-laws weekend home until our new townhouse was built. We just happened to move right around Christmas so, instead of taking our holiday decor out of the boxes we just packed, we put the top half of our tree up and handmade our decorations. I sat with my daughter and we drew, colored and cut out all of our ornaments for that little tree. She was so excited about that tree and was so proud to point out her ornaments to everyone that visited. I’m not sure if she remembers any of it but it’s a wonderful memory that has always stayed with me. 

I’ve been thinking about that tree a lot lately, while I’ve been decorating the nature-inspired Christmas tree that sits in our dining room. All of the ornaments aren’t handmade but the dried orange slice ornaments are, as well as the DIY Christmas garland I made with dried oranges and cranberries. 

dried orange slice ornament with star anise

Just like the ornaments this was so easy to make.

If you’ve never dried oranges before you can see how I did it, here. 

dried orange slices, star anise and jute string laying on a butcher block

Supplies to make a DIY Christmas garland with dried oranges and cranberries

  • dried orange slices
  • fresh cranberries
  • length of fishing line or string
  • large sewing needle 

You can use fishing line or string for this project. I had some fishing line lying around so that’s what I used.

dried orange slices, cranberries and a needle with fishing line on a marble cutting board

Just look at all of that fabulous color. I just can’t get enough. Obviously…I’ve put them all over our house.

Ok…let’s make some garland!

First I tied a loop in one end of my fishing line and then treaded my needle. 

fishing line with a loop tied on the end

You can really do whatever you want with this but I kept it simple. For every 10 cranberries I strung, I added an orange slice.

I just stuck the needle through the middle of the cranberry and through two segments of the dried orange slice. It’s really that simple.

making a DIY Christmas garland with dried orange slices, cranberries and a needle and fishing line

Once I felt the garland was long enough I tied off the end and hung it on my tree. Easy peasy, and very thrifty.

After the holidays are over I’ll take it outside and let the birds enjoy it. 

A closeup of a DIY Christmas garland made with dried orange slices and cranberries hanging on a tree

It may not be just like the tree we had all those years ago but it’s definitely up there as one of my faves. 

A DIY Christmas garland made with dried orange slices and cranberries and wooden ornament hanging on a tree

A DIY Christmas garland made with dried orange slices and cranberries hanging on a tree with wrapped gifts under the tree

How do you feel about homemade Christmas ornaments and garland? Better than store-bought?

The Thrifty Style Team is sharing their best thrifty ideas for our last get-together of the year. Check out what they’ve been working on.thrifty style team graphic


pin this for later graphicA DIY Christmas garland made with dried orange slices and cranberries hanging on a nature-inspired Christmas tree

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Comments

  1. I loved those orange slices as ornaments, but with the cranberries they make a very pretty garland. I’m collecting ideas for next years Christmas and this is on the list.
    Thanks, Pat

    Reply

    • Thanks so much, Pat! I just love the pretty colors of the dried oranges with the fresh cranberries, and they’ve changed into a darker yet prettier color after drying. I’ll definitely be doing this again. Hope you give it a try! 🙂

      Reply

  3. Your tree is beautiful, and I love the DIY Christmas garland. What a lovely memory you created with your daughter. Sometimes, those simpler times are filled with the most joy. Have a wonderful Christmas and a very happy New Year!

    Reply

  5. Oh my goodness. Your home must smell delicious with your garland. Homemade ornaments and family mementos are the best way for decorating for Christmas. Such gorgeous photography, Kristi.

    Reply

    • You are so sweet, thanks so much, Meegan! I agree, homemade decorations and family mementos are the best kind of Christmas decorations to have. Happy holiday to you!

      Reply

    • There’s nothing like homemade, especially when they’re made by children. I still treasure the ornaments our girls made for us growing up.

      I hope you give this a try, Marlene. It’s so easy to do and they look lovely on the tree.

      Reply

    • I love all ornaments, too! 🙂 I actually bought cinnamon sticks to use but kept it simple this time. I know the smell would be amazing. Thanks for sharing that tip.

      Reply

  9. I recall decorating an outside tree every year when my children were small with popcorn, pieces of apple and cranberries. The birds and squirrels loved it and made for many entertaining window-watching days for them.
    I do believe, though, that your dried orange slices are the DIY tree decoration winner of 2018. I can only imagine the number of trees out there that are wearing dried orange slices this year.

    Reply

  10. Great Idea with the garland. I remmember when my son and daughter were small we decorated with cranberries, popcorn and other bird friendly ornaments. After Christmas my husband took the tree to the woods behind the house for the birds and other criters. Great memories we build with our children. Thanks for reminding me of wonderful Christmases past.

    Reply

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