Upcycling Your Christingle is a paid collaborative post with The Children’s Society. After celebrating the meaningful Christingle service or having your own at home, you may find yourself wondering what to do with those leftover oranges. Instead of throwing them away, why not upcycle them into something useful, beautiful, or delicious? Whether you’re organizing group activities or looking for ideas to try at home, here’s how you can give those Christingle oranges a second life while promoting sustainability and creativity.
As a child who went to a Church of England school (right next door to the Church), the Christingle service was one of the highlights of my year. I grew up thinking that everyone knew about them. However, I married a Catholic, and he had no idea about them, and neither did my two boys, who went to a Catholic senior school! So, for anyone who doesn’t know, I have a full how-to on how to make a Christingle.
A recent poll showed that nearly two thirds (63%) of people fear traditional crafts are disappearing and over one in four (26%) want to revive the festive tradition of making Christingles this Christmas.
The Children’s Societ’y’s first Christingle with the Church of England took place over 50 years ago. Christingle celebrations have raised millions of pounds and allowed them to continue the tradition of working and supporting children and young people for over 140 years.
10+ Ideas for a Sustainable Christingle
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Group Activities
Upcycling Christingles can be a wonderful way to bring your community or church group together. Here are a few ideas to try:
1. Make Marmalade to Sell for the Church
Turn your leftover oranges into delicious homemade marmalade! Gather the oranges from the Christingle service and spend an afternoon making batches of marmalade. Jar them up and sell them to raise funds for your church or community projects. This activity not only reduces waste but also brings people together for a meaningful cause. Delia suggests this recipe is good for making Christingle Marmalade
2. Make Fresh Orange Juice
Collect the oranges, slice them up, and juice them as a group activity. Freshly squeezed orange juice is always a hit, and it’s a simple, natural way to upcycle your Christingle oranges. Serve the juice at your next church event or bottle it up to share with the community.
3. Create Candied Orange Peel
Candied peel is a festive treat that can be enjoyed on its own or used in baking. Simply boil the orange peels with sugar and water to make a sweet, tangy snack. Package the candied peel in small bags to give as gifts or sell at a church fundraiser.
Individual Activities for Home
If you’d like to upcycle your Christingle oranges at home, there are plenty of fun and easy ideas to try.
1. Make Dried Orange Slices for Decorations
Dried orange slices are perfect for adding a natural touch to your holiday décor. Simply slice your orange thinly, place the slices on a baking sheet, and dry them in a low-temperature oven for a few hours. Use them to decorate your Christmas tree, create garlands, or add a fragrant touch to gift wrapping.
2. Cut the Peel Into Shapes for a Garland
Cut the orange peel into fun shapes like stars, hearts, or flowers using small cookie cutters. Let the pieces dry and string them together with twine to create a garland. This is a fun activity to do with kids and makes for a charming, natural decoration for your home.
3. Eat the Orange and Make a Bird Feeder
After enjoying the fruit, turn the peel into a bird feeder. Fill the empty peel halves with a mixture of birdseed and melted suet or lard. Let it set, then hang the feeders in your garden to provide a treat for local wildlife.
4. Create a Herb Planter
Orange peels make excellent biodegradable planters for herbs or small plants. Simply scoop out the fruit, poke a small hole in the bottom for drainage, and fill it with soil and seeds. Once the seedlings are ready to be planted in the garden, the orange peel can go straight into the soil, where it will compost naturally. CBBC has a brilliant tutorial to make a self-watering planter using orange halves.
5. Craft an Orange Candle
Turn the peel into a DIY candle! Scoop out the fruit, leaving the pith intact as a wick. Fill the hollowed-out peel with olive oil, saturate the pith, and carefully light it. These candles are eco-friendly, and fragrant, and add a cosy glow to your home.
6. Compost the Leftovers
If you’re not up for crafting or cooking, don’t let your Christingle oranges go to waste. Add the peel and any leftover fruit to your compost bin. Oranges are rich in nutrients that help create healthy compost for your garden.
7. Make an orange Pomander Tealight Holder
Normally it would be best if you had a whole orange for pomanders, but Christingles make an excellent orange pomander tealight holder. You just have to add a star of anise or cloves. They are natural-scented tea light decorations.
8. Make a Simmer Pot
Bring a warm, festive aroma to your home by using your Christingle orange in a simmer pot. Slice the orange and add it to a saucepan of water with other fragrant ingredients like cinnamon sticks, cloves, and star anise. Let it simmer gently on the stove to fill your home with a cosy holiday scent. It’s a simple way to reuse your orange while creating a comforting atmosphere.
9. Chocolate Orange Microwave Sponge Pudding
Transform your Christingle orange into a quick and delicious dessert with this easy Chocolate Orange Microwave Sponge Pudding! Using simple ingredients like cocoa powder, self-raising flour, and the grated rind and juice of your orange, you can whip up a rich, zesty sponge in minutes. Perfect for individual servings in mugs or bowls, this recipe is great for a cozy winter treat. Plus, you can freeze the batter in portions to cook later, making it a fantastic way to enjoy the flavors of your Christingle orange long after the service is over!
Other Creative Uses for Orange Peel
Orange peel is incredibly versatile and can be repurposed in unique and practical ways. Create natural fire starters by drying the peels—the oils in the orange skin burn beautifully and release a pleasant aroma, making them perfect for cozy winter fires. You can also infuse olive oil with orange peel for a fragrant twist in your cooking or salad dressings. For a touch of self-care, dry the peels and grind them into a powder to use in a DIY exfoliating face scrub or relaxing bath soak. If you love baking, zest the peel to add a burst of flavor to cakes, cookies, or marinades. For a natural way to freshen up your home, tuck dried peels into sachets and place them in drawers or closets for a subtle citrusy scent. These ideas ensure that every part of your Christingle orange is put to good use, adding warmth and creativity to your home and lifestyle!
Why Upcycling Christingle Oranges Matters
By finding creative ways to reuse your Christingle oranges, you’re not only reducing waste but also honoring the spirit of the season through meaningful, eco-friendly activities. Whether you’re making marmalade with your church group or crafting decorations at home, upcycling fosters creativity, community, and sustainability.
This year, let your Christingle oranges bring joy beyond the service. Whether you’re creating decorations, treats, or something entirely new, upcycling is a wonderful way to keep the spirit of Christingle alive while caring for our planet.
Which idea will you try first? Share your creations or let us know your favourite upcycling tips in the comments!