Place gelatin into a bowl, pour in boiling water, and stir until gelatin dissolves. Mix in cranberry sauce, pineapple, celery, pecans, and orange zest until evenly blended.

Pour gelatin mixture into a mold or serving dish. Chill in the refrigerator for 8 hours to overnight.

To make topping, beat cream cheese with 1/2 of the whipped topping. Fold in remaining whipped topping until well blended.

Unmold gelatin, then spread with topping mixture.