DIY Orange Peel Star Garland: Natural Holiday Decoration Tutorial

I love creating handmade Christmas decor—there’s something warmly nostalgic about it. This simple Orange Peel Star Garland turns orange peels that might otherwise be discarded into a charming, natural ornament. Save any leftover peel scraps, let them dry, and use them later for homemade potpourri.

Orange Peel Star Garland strung up on twine, laid out and ready to be placed on a tree.

This post is brought to you by King of Christmas, a brand known for high-quality artificial trees that help create lasting holiday memories. I recently collaborated with them on a handmade ornament project with my nephew.

Ingredients

You only need a few basic supplies to make this Orange Peel Star Garland. The finished garland adds a primitive or Nordic touch to your holiday decor.

What you need:

Oranges
Knife
Twine or string
Scissors
Star cookie cutters (various sizes)
Skewer or other poking tool
Sheet pan (for drying)

Method

Begin by scoring the orange skin gently, cutting just through the peel and not into the fruit. Use your thumb to loosen the peel, working slowly around the orange so the skin lifts off in one or two large pieces. Take your time to keep the peel intact.

Oranges on a table, one has had its peel removed in one large piece.

Gently slicing an orange to remove the peel only.

Place a star-shaped cookie cutter on the peel and press to score the outline. Using scissors, cut out stars in a variety of sizes for visual interest. Try to keep the edges as smooth as possible for a neater finished look.

Using a star cookie cutter to score the orange peel, then using scissors to cut them out.

Dry the stars thoroughly. You can leave them to air-dry on a sheet pan for several days, or speed the process with a food dehydrator. Before drying, make a small hole near a star point with a skewer so you can easily string them later.

Cut out orange peel stars laid out on a table, in various sizes.

Using a skewer to poke a hole in dried orange peel stars.

When the stars are fully dry and firm, thread them onto twine to form a garland. Decide on the desired length and spacing—either let the stars slide naturally or tie small knots on either side of each star to keep them fixed in place. You can mix sizes and alternate spacing for a more organic look.

Drape the garland across your tree, mantel, or doorway. It works beautifully on a traditionally styled tree and adds a subtle, fragrant accent to your decorating. Knots before and after each star will keep them evenly spaced if you prefer a more structured arrangement.

Orange Peel Star Garland strung up on a tree.

I added this garland to my nostalgically decorated tree this year. The natural texture and warm scent blend well with traditional ornaments and handcrafted accents. It’s an easy, eco-friendly craft that looks lovely on any sized tree.