Happy Monday, hope everyone had a great weekend. I watched a bit of hockey, spent some time with my nephews and a niece, looked through an old Sears Christmas wish book, lol, Mom has a few hanging around, and did some painting.
Do you love the feel of an old fashioned Christmas? The smells, the decorations, the people? It’s something I think almost everyone thinks about during the time leading up to and around the holidays. Thinking about old traditions, new traditions, and the very special people in our lives who we share or shared so many holidays with!
My parents like to tell the story of when they were kids and there was not very much money back then, how they always received in their Christmas stockings an apple, an orange and some barley toy candy. I’m certain that oranges have been a part of Christmas for way longer than that 😉
There is something in decorating in a traditional way for Christmas that just brings all the cozy feels. I like to change out my decorations a little from year to year. Not sure what style I would call it. Modern traditional maybe?! I love the look of greenery with just a few simple touches, sliced oranges being one of them. I have made them several times. They are very easy to make and as a bonus, your house smells so so yummy while they are in the oven! What is your favourite way to decorate? Do you put things in the same place from year to year or switch it up?
Depending on what you want to do with your oranges will determine how many you need. I want to make a garland with them so I know I need a lot. I bought a bag of 6 oranges, it may not be enough, but I mostly want them to make a garland for the mantle, or around a window, not for a tree.
Different oranges will get different results as some are slightly different colours. You could also use grapefruit, lemons or limes or a mix.
List of things you need:
- Several oranges or a variety of citrus fruit
- Sharp knife
- Paper towel
- Parchment paper
- Cookie sheet
- Several hours to wait around your house while they are in the oven haha
Slice the oranges about 1/8″ -1/4″ thick. Use the paper towel to dab on each slice to remove as much moisture as you can. Then lay them on the parchment paper in about a 170-180 degree oven (low temp and several hours). Every hour or so turn them over.
It’s as easy as that. I used 6 oranges, I got about 50 ish slices. I plan on making a garland for the mantle and around a window, I may even make more of these if this isn’t enough. They are also pretty just in a decorative bowl on the coffee table, or counter.
Below are some ways I’ve used them in past years.
Hope you enjoyed this inexpensive way to add a bit of traditional decor to your home. Let me know if you try it. 🙂 I will share some photos when I have a garland made and some Christmas decor out. I should get on that. lol. Have a great week!
