Creating natural decorations is not only a brilliant way to make your Christmas a little greener, but it’s also a lot of fun that the whole family can enjoy. These orange slice decorations with cloves smell incredibly festive and they’ll add a traditional feel to your tree.

We have collected a range of festive ideas for you to try at home over the holiday season as we see how traditionally the orange has been associated with Christmas, from the symbolism to the scent we will put a bit of colour into the season for you – the colour we associate with – Orange.

 

 

They’re easy for anyone to make – watch the video above and follow the step by step guide below.

Christmas oranges at Attingham Park

What you will need…

• Oranges

• Cloves

• Ribbon or twine

• Scissors

• Knife

• Chopping board

• Oven

Method

Step 1

Carefully slice your oranges width ways, allowing up to around 1cm in width for each slice. Depending on your tree size, you may want to slice 3 to 4 oranges in total.

Step 2

Take each slice in turn and lie flat on a chopping board or baking tray. Decorate the slice with cloves. Push each clove through the orange flesh with your fingers, with the star facing upwards. You could create a ring of cloves on the outer or inner edge of your slice, or get creative with your own pattern or initials.

Step 3

Make an incision at one end of the slice. This is where your ribbon or twine will go through once your slices have dried.

Step 4

You’re ready to get baking. Put your orange slices with the design face up in your oven at the lowest setting, around 65 degrees centigrade, for four hours. They will dry more quickly on a wire rack, but you could also pop them on to baking parchment and a baking tray.

 

Step 5

Remove your slices from the oven and leave to cool. Don’t worry if they feel a bit tacky at first, they will soon dry out on the tree. Feed your preferred length of ribbon or twine through the hole you have made in your orange slice and tie the end. Now all you need to do is hang them and enjoy!

Now with your dried orange slices there are a range of festive decorations you can make for trees, mantelpieces even garlands for your door. 

The combination of orange slices with cinnamon sticks or cloves not only offer a timeless classic decoration but add to that festive scent around the house.

If you’ve got a few oranges and cloves left over, why not make a pomander? Just tie ribbon around whole oranges and pop cloves through the skin in a pattern. They make a great table centrepiece grouped together in a bowl and the cloves help the oranges to stay fresh for longer.