Create a beautiful DIY Christmas dried orange wreath with greenery for a classic and simple holiday look. Easily put together this elegant wreath at a fraction of the price of a store-bought one!
Each year, I make a Christmas wreath for our home. I used to have a grapevine twig wreath, but after many years of use, it was looking a little sad. So, I switched it out for a simple wire wreath frame to use as a base. Affiliate links included for your shopping convenience. You can read my full Disclosure Policy here.
Dried Orange Wreath for Christmas
This year, I wanted to create something that looked very natural and elegant. I was inspired by a dried orange wreath I saw at Romantic Homes but theirs required fresh greenery and berries so I came up with my own plan. While I love fresh florals and greenery, they don’t last throughout the entire season. Instead, I prefer faux elements with touches of real ones.
Let’s be honest. Wreaths are ridiculously expensive and very hard to store! And if your wreath is seasonal, it’s in storage more than it’s on display. So my favorite wreaths are DIY ones that reuse the same base over and over while you trade out the elements on top.
That of course means you can’t permanently attach anything. I’m all about temporary so I can reuse the elements elsewhere and for other projects!
This wreath isn’t about perfection. It isn’t about symmetry. It’s about simplicity, elegance, and a touch of European flair. Oranges have long been a symbol of Christmas, despite the fact that these days it seems like Elf on the Shelf and candy canes are the only visual representation of the holidays!
As you’re assembling your wreath, don’t worry about perfection. It doesn’t need to stay confined to your wire wreath frame so allow the branches to stick out in different directions. But ensure that whatever materials you choose, look for matte options, not shiny, and don’t build up too much height.
Materials
- 20″ metal wreath wreath frame
- 6 flat greenery stems like juniper or cedar (similar ones here)
- 2 stems matte white berries
- 1 stem matte gray berries
- 2 stems pine branches
- 1 sprig of mistletoe
- 6-8 magnolia leaves
- Eucalyptus stems
- Dried orange slices
Tools
Instructions
I dried my own orange slices, but whether you dry yours or buy them, start by hot-gluing groups of 2 or 3 together. Allow these to dry while you assemble your wreath.
Step 1 – Add Flat Greenery
Using floral wire, start wiring branches of your flat greenery around your wire wreath frame. I typically start at the bottom and work my way around.
Step 2 – Add Pine Greenery
Next, add in the pine branches spaced evenly around the wreath.
Step 3 – Add Wire to Orange Clusters
Poke floral wire through the dried oranges near the rind and twist together to attach the oranges to a length of wire.
Step 4 – Add Oranges
Wire groupings of oranges to the wreath. There is no formula for where to place them, so just play around and see what looks best to you!
Step 6 – Poke in Magnolia Leaves
Use groupings of 1 or 2 magnolia leaves to fill in any large gaps or holes in your wreath. They tend to look best when paired near the oranges because of the contrasting colors.
Step 5 – Add Eucalyptus
Once the oranges are in place, start adding eucalyptus around the wreath. Allow leaves to sit on top of the orange slices but try to keep the main stems behind the oranges.
Step 7 – Sprinkle in Berries
Poke white and gray berries around the wreath on top of everything else.
Step 8 – Tie Ribbon
Add your ribbon to the top! I used what I had on hand which was just white satin ribbon. I tied it in a relaxed bow and let the ends hang down. If you see any empty areas, poke in extra bits as filler. This is where I added snips of mistletoe.
Additional Tips & Tidbits
- If you want to use fresh greenery, use a flat branch for the base, like redwood, cedar, or juniper
- Tallow berries and brunia berries are great options
- If you plan to hang your wreath on a door, ensure everything is securely wired to withstand the movement of the door
How to Make a Beautiful Dried Orange Wreath for Christmas
Create a beautiful DIY Christmas dried orange wreath with greenery for a classic and simple holiday look. Easily put together this elegant wreath at a fraction of the price of a store-bought one!
Materials
- 20" metal wreath wreath frame
- 6 flat greenery stems like juniper or cedar (similar ones here)
- 2 stems matte white berries
- 1 stem matte gray berries
- 2 stems pine branches
- 1 sprig of mistletoe
- 6-8 magnolia leaves
- Eucalyptus stems
- Dried orange slices
Instructions
- Add Flat Greenery - Using floral wire, start wiring branches of your flat greenery around your wire wreath frame. I typically start at the bottom and work my way around.
- Add Pine Greenery - Next, add in the pine branches spaced evenly around the wreath.
- Add Wire to Orange Clusters - Poke floral wire through the dried oranges near the rind and twist together to attach the oranges to a length of wire.
- Add Oranges - Wire groupings of oranges to the wreath. There is no formula for where to place them, so just play around and see what looks best to you!
- Add Eucalyptus - Once the oranges are in place, start adding eucalyptus around the wreath. Allow leaves to sit on top of the orange slices but try to keep the main stems behind the oranges.
- Poke in Magnolia Leaves - Use groupings of 1 or 2 magnolia leaves to fill in any large gaps or holes in your wreath. They tend to look best when paired near the oranges because of the contrasting colors.
- Sprinkle in Berries - Poke white and gray berries around the wreath on top of everything else.
- Tie Ribbon - Add your ribbon to the top! I used what I had on hand which was just white satin ribbon. I tied it in a relaxed bow and let the ends hang down. If you see any empty areas, poke in extra bits as filler. This is where I added snips of mistletoe.
Notes
- If you want to use fresh greenery, use a flat branch for the base, like redwood, cedar, or juniper
- Tallow berries and brunia berries are great options
- If you plan to hang your wreath on a door, ensure everything is securely wired to withstand the movement of the door
How to Hang a Wreath with Ribbon
There are here are two options for hanging a wreath with ribbon. You can dangle it from a long ribbon or attach the frame directly.
Long Ribbon
When I hang a wreath on my front door from a long ribbon, I don’t want the hook to show on the outside of my door. Instead, take a Command hook and turn it upside down on the inside of the door. The ribbon from the wreath will go over the top of your door and hook inside.
Direct Attach
Some locations, such as a mirror, don’t offer a lot of options for hanging a wreath. Some wreath frames will have a hook on the back. If not, place a decorative ribbon around your wreath and then a smaller loop on the back. You can then place the small loop around a small Command hook directly on the mirror.
More Christmas Decorating Ideas
- How to Easily Make a Beautiful Bow for Wreaths and More!
- DIY Traditional Christmas Wreath
- How to Flock a Christmas Tree the Easy Way
- How to Add Ribbon Loops to a Christmas Tree – Full Decorating Tutorial
- Easy and Beautiful 10 Minute Christmas Decorating Ideas
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