The days are getting shorter, the cold is setting in, street lamps are adorned with twinkling decorations, and Mariah Carey is once again singing her legendary (if not slightly relentless) hit: "All I Want For Christmas Is You"... No doubt about it, Christmas is just around the corner! Bring out the baubles, make way for garlands! And this year, why not create natural decorations from orange peel? Not only are they trendy, economical, and eco-friendly, but they can also be made as a family activity, delighting both young and old alike—plus, they'll fill your home with a delicate fragrance.

Discover our step-by-step guide to easily crafting an orange peel garland with your family for a natural, scented decoration.

orange peel garland

1- What You'll Need

  • Oranges or citrus trees (clementines, grapefruits, tangerines, etc.);
  • Cookie cutters or a pencil;
  • Scissors;
  • A toothpick;
  • Natural string, linen or jute thread, or raffia;
  • Facultative: natural decorations like pine cones, cinnamon for its delicious spicy scent, star anise, hips, Cotoneaster berries, or holly berries.

2- How to Make an Orange Peel Garland

1- Peel your orange carefully to get large pieces of peel.

2- Use small cookie cutters or a pencil to trace festive shapes—stars, Christmas trees, snowmen, hearts, and more—onto the orange peel. Then, cut out the shapes with scissors.

orange peel garland

3- Poke a small hole at the top of each decoration with a toothpick to thread your string through.

4- Lay the orange peel shapes flat on absorbent paper or a clean cloth to dry for a few days. If they start to curl, place a weight on top for a few hours to flatten them.

orange peel garland

5- Tie a loop at one end of your string for hanging.

6- Make a knot a few centimetres from the end, then thread the string through the hole in your decoration. The orange peel should rest against this knot.

7- Tie another knot just after the decoration to hold it in place.

8- Repeat with the remaining decorations.

orange peel garland

Whether as simple decorations or garlands hung in windows, orange peels bring colour and cheer to the festive season

3- Tips and Tricks

  • You can also use peels from juiced oranges to create beautiful decorations while enjoying fresh orange juice. Just remove the pulp before crafting.
  • Hang your orange garland in windows, on the Christmas tree, a shelf, or the wall.
  • For extra charm, add small red-orange berries, abundant in gardens this season: Cotoneaster or hip berries, or crabapples. Keep out of reach of young children.
  • Add a bohemian touch with dried flowers collected in summer or autumn: baby’s breath, honesty, statice, hydrangea blooms, or even the fluffy plumes of ornamental grasses.
  • Pair orange peel with pine cones or cinnamon for a delicious spicy scent.

Further Inspiration