Is there anything quite like walking into a home that smells like the holidays? You know that scent I’m talking about—that warm, spicy mix of citrus and cinnamon that instantly makes you want to curl up with a blanket. For years, I spent a small fortune on expensive candles trying to replicate that vibe. But honestly? Nothing beats the real thing.
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That’s why I completely fell in love with making a Dried orange and cinnamon Christmas wreath. Not only does it look incredibly high-end and rustic, but it also acts as a natural air freshener for your space. I remember my first attempt at this; I accidentally burned the oranges to a crisp because I was too impatient! But don’t worry, I’ve made all the mistakes so you don’t have to.
In this guide, we are going to walk through the entire process together. Whether you are looking for DIY holiday wreath ideas or just want a fun weekend project, this is for you. So, grab a cup of coffee (or mulled wine), and let’s get crafty!
Why You Need a Natural Wreath This Season
Before we dive into the sticky stuff, let’s talk about why this project is such a winner. Aside from the obvious aesthetic appeal, opting for natural Christmas wreath with dried oranges is a sustainable choice. You aren’t buying plastic decorations that will sit in a landfill for centuries.
Plus, it is incredibly cost-effective. Store-bought wreaths can cost upwards of $50 to $100. This project? You can likely pull it off for a fraction of that price, especially if you buy your fruit in bulk.
Finally, the customization is endless. While we are focusing on a DIY citrus and cinnamon holiday wreath, you can easily tweak this to fit your style. You can add pinecones, star anise, or even dried apple slices. It’s your masterpiece, after all!
Gathering Your Supplies
You can’t build a house without a blueprint, and you can’t make a wreath without the right tools. Luckily, easy wreath craft ideas like this don’t require heavy machinery. Most of these items might already be in your kitchen or craft drawer.
Here is exactly what you need to get started:
- Oranges: Buy a large bag. Navel oranges work great, but blood oranges add a lovely dark color.
- Cinnamon Sticks: Get the long ones (about 3-6 inches) if you can find them. They make a bigger visual impact.
- Wreath Base: A grapevine wreath is my personal favorite for that rustic look, but a foam ring wrapped in burlap works too.
- Greenery: Fresh pine, eucalyptus, or bay leaves. You can forage these from your yard or buy a cheap bundle at the grocery store.
- Floral Wire & Wire Cutters: Essential for securing heavy items.
- Hot Glue Gun: The glue sticks are the unsung heroes of handmade wreath ideas.
- Ribbon or Raffia: For hanging and making bows.
- Paper Towels & Baking Sheet: For the drying process.
Do you have everything? Great. Let’s move on to the most time-consuming (but best smelling) part of the process.
The Art of Drying Oranges
This is the step that scares people off, but simple wreath DIYs rely on good prep work. The goal here is to dehydrate the fruit without cooking it. If you do this right, your slices will look like stained glass when the light hits them.
Slicing and Dicing
First, preheat your oven to 200°F (about 95°C). While it heats up, slice your oranges. You want them to be about 1/8 to 1/4 inch thick.
Consistency is key here. If some slices are thick and others are paper-thin, they won’t dry evenly. I usually discard the ends (or eat them!) because they contain too much rind and not enough pretty fruit flesh.
The Blotting Technique
Here is a pro tip that saves hours of oven time: blot your slices. Lay the slices on a layer of paper towels and press another paper towel on top.
You want to remove as much surface moisture as possible. The drier they are going into the oven, the faster they will finish. Trust me, skipping this step makes the process drag on forever.
The Oven Method
Arrange your slices on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper or a wire rack. Make sure they aren’t touching each other. Pop them in the oven and let the magic happen.
You will need to bake them for about 3 to 4 hours. However, you must flip them every 30 to 45 minutes. This ensures they dry flat and don’t curl up at the edges. Keep a close eye on them during the last hour—sugar content varies by fruit, so some might brown faster than others. FYI, your house is going to smell incredible during this part!
Prepping Your Cinnamon Bundles
While your oranges are slowly dehydrating, let’s work on the spice element. A rustic orange slice and cinnamon stick wreath isn’t complete without those woody textures.
We aren’t just gluing single sticks to the wreath; we are creating bundles. This creates a luxurious, full look that you see in high-end decor magazines.
- Take three cinnamon sticks of roughly the same length.
- Hold them together in a tight cluster.
- Wrap a piece of floral wire or rustic twine around the center.
- Tie it off tightly, leaving a long tail of wire or twine at the back.
Make about 5 to 7 of these bundles, depending on the size of your wreath. You can also tuck a sprig of rosemary or a piece of star anise into the binding for extra texture. These little details are what elevate handmade dried orange Christmas wreath projects from “crafty” to “professional.
Designing the Greenery Base
Now we get to the fun part—assembly! If you are using a grapevine wreath, you already have a beautiful, natural base. However, adding a layer of fresh greenery softens the look and adds volume.
Start by taking small bunches of your chosen greenery (pine, eucalyptus, or boxwood). Tuck the stems into the grapevine branches. You want to follow the natural curve of the wreath.
Secure the stems with a little floral wire if they feel loose. You don’t need to cover the whole thing; even an asymmetrical design where the greenery is focused on one side looks modern and chic. This is one of those creative wreath-making tutorials where imperfection is actually a good thing.
Does the greenery look balanced to you? If it looks a bit wild, that’s perfect. We want that gathered-from-the-forest vibe.
Assembling the Main Attractions
Your oranges are dried and cooled. Your cinnamon is bundled. Your base is green. It is time to bring your natural dried orange wreath tutorial to life.
Placement Strategy
Before you glue anything, lay your wreath flat on a table. arrange your elements loosely on top. This lets you play with the composition without commitment.
I recommend using the rule of odd numbers. Groups of three or five tend to be more visually pleasing to the human eye than even numbers. Try clustering three orange slices together, slightly overlapping, with a cinnamon bundle next to them.
Attaching the Oranges
There are two ways to do this. You can run a piece of floral wire through the flesh of the orange (near the rind) and twist it onto the wreath. Or, you can use hot glue.
IMO, hot glue is faster, but wire is more durable. If you plan on hanging this outside, definitely use wire. If it’s staying indoors, glue is fine. Apply a generous dab to the back of the slice and hold it in place for 10 seconds.
Adding the Cinnamon
Take those bundles you made earlier. Use the long tails of wire or twine to tie them securely onto the wreath frame. If you used twine, the knot adds a nice rustic touch.
Nestle them in with the greenery and oranges. Make sure they are spaced out evenly so the wreath doesn’t look lopsided.
Finishing Touches and Styling
You are in the home stretch now! Take a step back and look at your creation. Does it need a little something extra?
Fill the Gaps
Look for any empty spots where the mechanics (wire or glue) might be showing. This is where you can glue in smaller items. Whole nuts (like walnuts or pecans), star anise, or small pinecones are perfect fillers for a DIY orange slice wreath for the holidays.
The Bow
A wreath isn’t finished without a bow, right? For this natural style, I love using a velvet ribbon in a deep forest green or a burnt orange. Alternatively, a simple burlap or raffia bow keeps things earthy.
Attach the bow either at the very top or slightly off-center at the bottom. Secure it with wire so it doesn’t flop over.
Where to Display
Now, where should this beauty live? Since this is a natural wreath, it does best in a cool, dry environment. The heat from a fireplace might cause the greenery to crisp up too fast.
I love hanging mine in the kitchen or the entryway. Every time you walk by, you get a whiff of citrus and spice. If you hang it on the front door, just make sure it’s protected from direct rain or snow.
Tips for Preservation and Storage
I know you worked hard on this, so you probably want to know how long it will last. The dried oranges and cinnamon sticks can last for years if stored correctly! The fresh greenery, however, will dry out over a few weeks.
Extending the Life
To keep the oranges vibrant, you can spray them with a clear acrylic sealer before you attach them to the wreath. This prevents them from absorbing moisture from the air.
If you used fresh greenery, mist it with water every couple of days to keep it looking perky. Once the holidays are over, the greenery will dry to a brittle brown.
Storing for Next Year
If you used a faux greenery base or just the grapevine, you can pack this away. Wrap the wreath gently in tissue paper and store it in a sturdy box. Throw in a silica gel packet if you have one—it helps keep moisture away from the oranges.
If you used fresh greens, you might want to disassemble the wreath. Save the cinnamon bundles and the oranges (if they are still in good shape) in a sealed container, and compost the dried greens. Then, you’re ready for next year’s DIY wreath-making projects!
Conclusion
And there you have it! You have successfully created a gorgeous DIY Dried Orange & Cinnamon Wreath (That Makes Your Home Smell Amazing). Pretty satisfying, right?
Not only have you saved money, but you’ve also created something totally unique that brings warmth and character to your home. Plus, you can proudly tell your guests, “Oh that? Yeah, I made it,” when they ask where you bought it.
I hope this guide inspired you to get creative this season. If you make this wreath, I would absolutely love to see it. Why not snap a photo and tag a friend to challenge them to a craft-off?
Go enjoy that amazing holiday scent—you earned it!
I’m Sumayya and I love turning ordinary spaces into ones you’ll never want to leave. Whether it’s cozy cottagecore corners, bold maximalist magic, or sleek modern minimalism, I’m here to help you discover your style and bring it to life without spending a fortune. Ready to refresh your space? Let’s make it happen!
