The pomander has it’s origins back to the Middle Ages. Today, the Pomander is more associated with Colonial times, however, research varies if they were made mostly with apples or oranges. Nonetheless, a Pomander is a fragrant and festive decoration you can display at home, or give as a Christmas or holiday gift.
Brief History of Pomanders
Pomanders date back even before the Middle Ages. It was originally known as a ball of fragrance that people wore around their necks. Beginning in the 17th Century, the English began making them with oranges, apples, and cloves. Our early Colonists made these treats around Christmas time, however, they were made with apples as oranges were too expensive. Now that oranges are a home staple, they seem to be the more common version.
Orange Pomander DIY
You know those recipes that call for whole cloves, and then you have an entire container left minus a few? This is a great way to get rid of them! You. Are. Welcome. I’ve seen tutorials that say to use a pencil to trace your design, and Martha says to use a rubber band. I just winged it.
What you need:
- Orange
- Whole Cloves
- Ribbon
- Something pointy (like a kabob skewer)
The design I made is a pretty traditional design, alternating between the cloves and the ribbon. You can make faces, or pretty much the possibilities are endless. Use the skewer to make a slight puncture into the orange so that you can place the cloves without any trouble.
Add a pretty ribbon and you are done. I like using checks or plaid as a nod to the Colonial times, but any festive ribbon will work. I started at the top, came around to the bottom, twisted it, and then tied the bow at the top.
Psst… want beautiful Scripture + Gratitude printables to celebrate the beauty of the Advent Season? Click below…
This kind of pomander will last about a week, maybe two before starting to go bad. Until then, it will be very fragrant! There is a different kind of way to make pomanders if you want to keep it longer – by covering the entire orange with cloves and using various spices. This type is more seasonal. You can hang it on a tree like an ornament, place it in a dish, give it to a friend… there are many ways to enjoy it!
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Are you Inspired?
Love, hugs, and smelling good.
Holly, I love how you can combine a quick history lesson with a craft! This is so charming and I can almost smell how delicious it is from here. It would make a wonderful clutter free hostess gift.
Hi Susan – History and crafting… it’s how I roll!!! I think next year I’m going to try the version which lasts a little longer. This one was good for a little over a week. But it did smell absolutely amazing! Merry Christmas and hugs, Holly
I love Pomander but I never knew what they were called. They do smell wonderful and you get to use clove which I only have very few recipes for. Otherwise, it just sit in the cabinet even though I love the smokey smell.
Hi Rachel – There aren’t a lot of recipes these days that call for whole cloves, so this is a great craft to make to use up what you have left over. Thanks so much for stopping by! Happy holidays and hugs, Holly
This looks so pretty! I bet that would smell amazing with the oranges and cloves and then if you added a live tree too! Heaven. Thanks for sharing this on the Wonderful Wednesday! If you get a chance to stop by my blog sometime, I’d love it! Have a great weekend!
Hi Courtney – You are so right, it does smell like heaven! Thanks so much for the invite, will stop by! Merry Christmas and holiday hugs, Holly
This is such a great idea for the holidays. I’m sure it smells heavenly. I hope to make one. Merry Christmas!
Hi Lily’s Mom – They are really easy to make! Merry Christmas and holiday hugs, Holly
I’m planning on making these with my kids this week. Thanks for sharing this tutorial – so easy!
Hi Keri – The possibilities are endless for the designs your kids can do. Have fun! Merry Christmas and holiday hugs, Holly
Oh I need these! Hopefully the children and I can whip them up during our winter break! 🙂
Thanks so much for sharing on Show Me Saturday! Hope to see you again the first weekend in January!
~ Ashley
Hi Ashley – They are so easy to make and you can make any design! Happy 2015 to you! Hugs, Holly
We made these every year as a kid, not sure when I ‘forgot’ about them! Thanks for bringing back some nice memories and now we will have to continue to make these each year!
Hi K&M – They are so much fun to make – and easy too! Happy 2015 to you!!! Hugs, Holly
I haven’t made one of these since my kids were small. I don’t know why. You’ve inspired me to do this again. Thank you. Yours is beautiful and I know that it smells so good. 🙂
Hi Barbara – Thank you for stopping by to share! They are super cute and smell AMAZING! Hope to see you again soon! Hugs, Holly
I love these. I never even knew the names of them. I had made some last year and the house smelled like Christmas. Thanks for sharing, the ribbon tip. I had put mine in a basket but it will also look very pretty up on a tree.
Hi Mary – Great to see you again! Thank you for stopping by to share your sweet comments! Hugs, Holly
How cute! I love how simple it is too! Thanks for sharing with us at the Merry Monday link party. I hope you’ll join us again next week. Sharing your post on Twitter!
Hi Ashley – Thank you for your sweet words and for sharing! It’s one party I never miss! Hugs, Holly
This looks like it would smell wonderful! Love this idea, going to share it with my nieces.
Hi Wendy – Great to see you again! Thank you for sharing your kind words. Hugs, Holly
I’m 63 & I remember making these in kindergarten. I had a very “crafty” teacher & this was just one of the many creative crafts she taught us.
Hi Laura – What a fun memory! I love making these at Christmas time – so fragrant! Thanks for stopping by and I hope to see you again soon. Hugs, Holly
You can use lemons too.
To refresh, just run some warm water over them. The smell comes out again and all is revived!
Hi Fern – What a great idea, thanks so much for sharing! Hugs, Holly
Thank you Holly for a great and wonderfully scented craft for the holidays ! I can’t tell how you how many little containers i have of whole cloves in my cupboard. Every year i can never remember if i have enough cloves to put on my Thanksgiving ham, so i buy another !! What a great way to use up all the old, so i can start anew. And i love FranAnderson” tip to refresh ! Thanks ladies, Happy Holidays !
Hi Diena – This is perfect to reuse the cloves! And depending how many you have, what a great gift for someone you want to acknowledge but not spend a lot of money on! Thanks for stopping by and I hope to see you again soon. Hugs, Holly
I’m almost 75YO and we used to make these in church for Christmas gifts when I was a kid. Think of a whole room full of
these. I can still smell them.My grandsons (6&8 will probably make them this year also.
What a fun memory to have and especially pass along to your grandsons! Thanks for stopping by and I hope to see you again soon. Hugs, Holly
I’m going to make some for my Christmas tree! I usually keep a pot of Orange and apple slices, with cinnamon sticks and cloves simmering on my stove during the holidays! LOVE the smell!
Hi Candy – Oh my goodness, I’m coming to your home for the holidays! Thanks for stopping by to share and I hope to see you again soon! Hugs, Holly
I had a Great Aunt that would make these back in the 40 & 50’s. She would completely “cover” the oranges with the cloves. That would dry them out and she could keep them around for a year or two.
Hi David – What wonderful memories, thank you for sharing! Happy holidays to you! Hugs, Holly