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Delight Your Senses With Handmade Holiday Pomanders

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The traditional fragrances associated with the holiday season never fail to trigger treasured memories and Mother Nature provides us with everything we need to kindle the holiday spirit. This year, consider making aromatic pomander balls to delight the senses and add a touch of natural holiday cheer to your home. While they are easy to make, they do take some time to assemble so plan to start right away in order to have them ready in time for the holiday season. Get the whole family involved in the process so everyone in the house can take pride of ownership in the finished product.

Pomander balls have been used for centuries to decorate and freshen interior spaces with their warm, citrusy and spicy scents. Although the word “pomander” only dates back to the Middle Ages, herbs and spices have been used for this purpose as far back as recorded history. Pomanders really came into their own during the Victorian era when the beautiful appearance of an item became as important as its practical purpose. Today, homemade pomander balls are often used to freshen closets and serve as a chemical free way to repel pests, such as moths. Unlike chemical closet fresheners, they will not pollute the air with substances that can be harmful to children or pets.

Traditional pomanders are clove-studded fruits that are rolled in a spice mixture. Oranges are the most commonly used fruit but lemons, limes and apples can also be used. To make pomander balls, you will need oranges (or the fruit of your choice), whole cloves and a spice mixture containing three teaspoons each of ground cinnamon, ground cloves, ground nutmeg, ground ginger and orris root powder. Because whole cloves tend to be expensive it’s a good idea to buy them in bulk if you plan to make several balls.

To begin, simply stick a clove directly into the orange. (Make sure you poke the clove holes with a toothpick or skewer first because it makes the process a lot easier and is much easier on your fingers.) You can either fill the entire surface of the orange or create some unique patterns and designs.

Once the orange is studded with cloves gently roll it in the spice mixture until it is evenly covered. Wrap the finished fruit in a paper bag and leave it in a dark, dry, airy place for at least three weeks. It should dry thoroughly, shrink and harden. (The fruit must be completely dry so that it will not mold.)

Once it is dried, it’s time to add the finishing decorative touches. Tie it up with ribbon or lace. If you want to hang the pomander, make a loop with the ribbon and secure it with glue or pins. When you are finished, brew up some hot tea, admire your handiwork and breathe in the citrusy, spicy scent of your pomander that will be yours to enjoy for years to come.