Christmas is in the air—and so are the many aromas that fill your home this season. From the warmth of the fireplace to cookies in the oven to the fragrant evergreen garland adorning your home, the holidays are a lovely sensory overload. And you can add a new scent to that as well: the fresh scent of dried citrus. Anyone can partake in this easy craft: all you need is a few oranges and some household utensils. Dried oranges can be used for sweet aromas, stunning decor, and a simple way to express your creativity. Here’s how to make them and what to use them for:

You’ll need:

  • A few oranges
  • A sharp knife
  • A baking sheet
  • A cooling rack

Instructions:

  1. Preheat your oven to 170 degrees.
  2. Slice your orange(s) in thin slices.
  3. Place sliced oranges on a baking sheet, leaving room between each orange.
  4. Place the baking sheet in the oven and bake for 3–4 hours.
  5. Check and flip oranges every 45 minutes to an hour.
  6. After 3–4 hours, remove oranges and let oranges cool completely. (The oranges should feel completely dried out to the touch.)

Now that you’ve dried your oranges, the fun can begin! The sweet scent of oranges has poured out from the oven into the kitchen and surrounding rooms, filling the air with holiday spirit. The outstanding aroma is not the only thing dried oranges have to offer. Dried oranges provide a variety of aesthetically pleasing crafts, from stunning gift wrapping to cozy garland to festive cocktail drinks. Let your creativity shine this holiday season.

Need some new inspiration for your present wrapping? Collect dried oranges, natural brown wrapping paper, jute twine, gift tags, and small pine branches for the most lovely and simple gift wrap. Want to stun with a natural, breathtaking garland? Gather dried oranges, string, and evergreen garland. Start by threading the string through the oranges, then place them alongside the garland on your mantle. Or maybe you want to spice up your cocktails? All you need to do is to add a dried orange to your favorite cocktail concoction. Spicing up your holiday with dried oranges is so simple, cost-effective, and creative.