Dried Orange and Cinnamon Stick Garland: The Cozy Fall Decoration You Can Make in an Afternoon
There’s something about the smell of orange peels and cinnamon that instantly makes a house feel like fall. This dried orange and cinnamon stick garland is one of those projects that looks like it belongs in a farmhouse catalog, but it’s genuinely simple to make, and most of the work happens in the oven while you do something else entirely.
I love this project because it is low pressure. There is no perfect way to slice an orange, no wrong way to string a cinnamon stick, and the finished garland looks better with a little imperfection anyway. Drape it along a mantel, wind it up a staircase railing, or hang it across a window, and you have got a piece of fall decor that costs a fraction of what you would pay for something similar at a home goods store.
Best of all, it uses simple, mostly natural materials, so it is a nice project to do with a cup of coffee on a slow weekend afternoon.
This post contains affiliate links, and some products may have been gifted by the brand to test. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases at no extra cost to you. The content on this site is created with the help of AI.
What You Will Need
- Oranges: Thin, evenly sliced navel oranges are what dry down into those classic translucent circles.
- A mandoline slicer: Getting your orange slices thin and even is the difference between crisp dried circles and slices that stay soggy in the middle. mandoline slicer
- A wire cooling rack: Drying your slices on a rack instead of directly on a baking sheet lets air circulate underneath so they dry evenly. wire cooling rack
- Parchment paper: Line your baking sheet under the rack to catch drips and make cleanup easy. parchment paper
- Whole cinnamon sticks: These string right onto the garland alongside the orange slices and add texture as well as scent. cinnamon sticks
- Natural jute twine: This is what the whole garland hangs from. Jute has a rustic, natural look that fits right in with the orange and cinnamon. jute twine
- A large eye craft needle: A wide, blunt needle makes it easy to thread twine through dried orange slices without splitting them. large eye needle
- A hot glue gun: Handy for securing cinnamon sticks and eucalyptus sprigs in place so nothing slides once the garland is hung. hot glue gun
- Dried eucalyptus sprigs: Tucking a few sprigs in between the orange slices adds greenery and extra texture. dried eucalyptus
- Natural wood beads: Threading a bead between each orange slice keeps them from bunching together and gives the garland a finished look. wood beads
- Craft scissors: For trimming twine and getting clean cuts as you work. craft scissors
How to Make Your Orange and Cinnamon Garland, Step by Step
1. Slice your oranges
Using a mandoline slicer set to about a quarter inch, slice your oranges into thin, even rounds. Pat them dry with a paper towel to remove excess juice before moving on.
2. Dry them in a low oven
Arrange the orange slices in a single layer on a wire cooling rack set over a parchment lined baking sheet. Bake at 200 degrees for 3 to 4 hours, flipping halfway through, until the slices are dry to the touch and slightly leathery, not sticky. Let them cool completely and dry out fully overnight.
3. Cut your twine
Measure the length you want your garland to be. A mantel usually needs 4 to 6 feet, a staircase railing more. Cut your jute twine with a few extra inches on each end for tying and hanging.
4. Thread your needle and start stringing
Thread one end of the twine through a large eye craft needle. Push the needle through the center of a dried orange slice, slide it down, then add a wood bead, then a cinnamon stick, then another wood bead, then another orange slice. Repeat this pattern down the length of your twine.
5. Tuck in the eucalyptus
Once your main pattern is strung, weave a few sprigs of dried eucalyptus in and out of the twine between elements. A small dab of hot glue at the base of each sprig keeps it from shifting.
6. Secure everything in place
Use your hot glue gun to add a small dot of glue behind each orange slice and cinnamon stick where it meets the twine. This keeps everything from sliding around once the garland is hung vertically.
7. Hang and style
Drape your garland along a mantel, wind it around a staircase railing, or hang it across a window frame. Let a little natural sag show between the tacked points. It should look loose and organic, not perfectly taut.
Tips for a Garland That Lasts All Season
- If your kitchen has a food dehydrator, it is a faster and more consistent way to dry the orange slices than the oven. Set it to around 135 degrees and check every hour until the slices are firm and leathery.
- Store any extra dried orange slices in an airtight container away from humidity. They will keep for weeks, which is handy if you want to add more length to your garland later.
- If a slice or cinnamon stick ever falls off, a fresh dot of hot glue is all you need to fix it back in place.
- Avoid hanging your garland somewhere it will get direct sun for long periods, since it can fade the orange color over time.
Ready for More Cozy Fall Decor?
Once your garland is up, it is the perfect excuse to give the rest of the room the same treatment. If you have not already, take a look at Farmhouse Fall, Done Right for ideas on layering in the rest of your seasonal decor, or how to host a cozy Friendsgiving if you are already thinking ahead to your next gathering.
