Pomanders
Citrus Pomander
“Christmas – that magic blanket that wraps itself about us, that something so intangible that it is like a fragrance. It may weave a spell of nostalgia. Christmas may be a day of feasting, or of prayer, but always it will be a day of remembrance – a day in which we think of everything we have ever loved.” ~Augusta E. Rundel
I’ve been making fresh citrus pomanders ever since my daughter Andrea was a baby. When she got older, she enjoyed making them with me and it became a fun holiday tradition that we shared.
Pomanders are very easy to make, and I can’t imagine Christmas without their citrusy-spice scent perfuming our home. This is a perfect way to enjoy natural aromatherapy in every room during the holidays and beyond.
To make 2 pomanders, you will need:
2 oranges
Toothpick to ease the cloves into the orange
1/4 cup whole cloves
Spice mixture (see recipe below)
spice mixture:
3 Tbs. ground cinnamon
3 Tbs. ground cloves
3 Tbs. ground nutmeg
3 Tbs. ground ginger
3 Tbs. orris root powder (which will help your pomanders dry evenly)
Directions:
Making a Pomander is easy. Simply stick a clove directly into an orange (or any of the other fruits listed above). You may want to use a toothpick to make the first punctures so that the cloves are easier to insert.
Once the ball is studded with cloves, roll it in the spice mixture and set it aside for a couple of weeks in a cool dry spot. Once dried, you may want to tie a ribbon around the ball for hanging. Multiple pomander balls also look gorgeous displayed together in a large decorative bowl, and the scent is wonderful! These also make lovely hostess gifts!
Enjoy!
~Melissa
I LOVE THIS! These are so fun. I won’t do them this year, but I will definitely be putting this at the top of my list of holiday decorating ideas for next year. Next year the kiddos will be a bit older and I think it would be a lot of fun to start doing something like this….I think they’d love it….thanks so much for the great idea!
You’re welcome! Enjoy!
I remember making these when I was little too!! Haven’t thought about them in forever though. Will have to start making them again I think – looks like a great daycare craft for next week!
They’re a great craft for kids! Also, a nice hostess gift…and they look beautiful in a punch bowl.
The kids & I made these and they were a big hit! Super easy for toddlers and pretty. I found another recipe for them online that said if you don’t have Orris Root, you can use sandlewood oil. I didn’t have either, but still turned out ok.
Glad you enjoyed making these! Yes, I have heard of making them with several different essential oils…even my favorite, lavender. I’ll have to try that sometime.
So, Oh Wise One (hee hee) I have half a baggie of the spice mixture leftover – any ideas what I can use it for?
what, exactly, is in this spice mixture? 🙂
It’s the pomander spices – cinnamon, cloves, nutmeg and ginger. All ground of course. It sounds like a fairly useful combination for some recipe or another, but thought you’d know better than me. I’m at your mercy My Recipe Queen! 😉
I would say that sounds like the perfect rub for a crockpot foil ham…or put a couple Tablespoons in a yellow cake mix to make a spice cake 😉