Dried Orange Lantern

After inheriting a food dehydrator from my aunt, I decided the first thing I would make would be something non-edible, but pretty. Dried oranges and grapefruit slices for decorating!

 

It's as easy cutting oranges into thin slices, placing them in your food dehydrator, (or oven at 200 degrees for about 2 1/2 hours on a cookie sheet) until they are completely dried out. It took about 12 hours in my food dehydrator.

I wedged my dried oranges in between a large glass vase and a small votive candle.

It casts a pretty orange glow inside my lantern and has been the talk of my Christmas gatherings. I love when people ask me "how did you make that?"

 

 

 

There are so many other pretty uses for dried oranges I would love to try-like a wreath, garland or inside of a poured candle. I made another dried orange candle for a hand-made gift exchange this year by adding cinnamon sticks and lacing the oranges together on the outside of the glass with pretty yarn. I was told the warmed cinnamon sticks smell amazing. It's not to late to make this for a last-minute or neighbor gift idea, so easy and thrifty!

 

Have yourself a Merry Christmas!