There’s something about old fashioned holiday décor that injects a little extra magic into any holiday season. We love garlands of all sorts at Baa Baazaar, and this year we’re going garland wild, gussying up our doorways and mantels with some swaggy little lads.

Read on to find out how to make your own dried orange slice garland rolled in glitter, and for something with a little less vitamin C, a classic and easy paper chain garland.

1. Preheat oven to 210 degrees F. 

2. Cut your orange into 8mm slices (slicing them evenly ensures that they all dry to more-or-less the same colour). 

3. Dry the slices well using a tea towel (smells good).

4. Lay slices in a single layer on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.

5. Bake in in preheated oven for 3 hours, flipping once every hour or so (it's like tanning).

*For an ombré effect, raise the temperature a bit or leave your orange slices longer in the oven. This will create a nice deep brown. And no we did not accidentally leave a tray in the oven while preparing dinner. This was an intentional discovery.

Once finished, your orange slices should feel hard and dry (not sticky). Allow to cool and store in an airtight container if you don’t intend on using them right away.

NB: dried orange slices also make great cocktail garnishes! Save a few for your holiday tipple.

6. Once cool, paint the edges of your orange slices with plain Elmer’s glue (or any liquid paste that dries clear).

7. Roll your sweet little wheelies in biodegradable glitter.

8. Wait till they’re good and dry! Patience is a virtue.

9. Cut a piece of twine, ribbon, or nylon fishing wire to your desired length.

10. Punch one or two holes in your orange slices depending on how you want to want to string them up (a toothpick or chopstick makes a good hole punch).

11. String your slices up in a way that pleases you and hang on your preferred location (think: mantel, or above a doorway or window frame).

There are no rules when it comes to making a paper chain garland. Use any old paper: vintage wallpaper, last year’s gift wrap—newspapers and magazines, even! Have fun putting the patterns and colours together at random, or be diligent and make a repeating pattern. It’ll be beautiful and festive no matter what!

1. Find some lovely paper (used wrapping paper is perfect).

2. Cut your paper in 1” strips.

3. Cut strips into 9-10” length pieces.

4. If you don’t want the inside of your loops to be white, glue patterned paper back-to-back so that your strips are double-sided.

5. Staple or glue your first loop!

6. Link the next loop through the first loop and staple or glue it closed.

7. Keep growing your chain!

Once complete, hang your paper chain over doorways, windows, mirrors, fireplaces or on your tree. Judgemental cat a vibrant addition but not mandatory.

NB. Storage is key if you want to reuse these next year (and we insist that you do). Loosely stack your garlands in a big Rubbermaid and store for years to come! (Just remember it’s made of paper so don’t put anything heavy on top of it!)

Feeling crafty but not too crafty? Shop our ready-to-go garlands and paper chain kits for a pre-fab (but still fabulous) bit of festive decor.