Pomanders’ beginnings
Pomanders are a holiday tradition for many people. Historically, they were used in Europe to keep illnesses at bay. They were also used to combat foul smells. Pomanders are recorded in America in the 1700s to mask bad smells. They eventually became popular decorations during the holidays in homes across America.
Gather materials
An orange or two, a bottle of whole cloves, a container of cinnamon, scissors, ribbon, a thumb tack and toothpicks.
Add ribbon
If the pomander is to be hung, wrap ribbon around the orange.
Wrapped orange
I chose a thinner ribbon, so I was able to wrap it a few times. If using a wider ribbon, wrap only twice or as desired.
Scents and Memories
I recently read about pomanders and the festive tradition. Though they had never been a part of my Christmas memories, I decided to try them out to see how my family would like the scent.
Many people associate smells to memories. For example, the smell of Easter lilies brings to mind going to church wearing a white straw hat, white gloves and a pretty little Easter dress. The whole memory comes to mind with one whiff of the sweet flower. Another example for me is the smell of certain candles. My mom liked to burn Yankee Candle‘s Home Sweet Home candle often when I was growing up. The combined scent of apples, cinnamon, nutmeg, cherry and juniper berry brings to mind memories from the home I grew up in.
Yet another smell that stirs up association is that of fresh cut grass. It is a signal in my mind that the growing season is upon us. As in, Spring has come. Fresh cut grass also brings to mind thoughts of traveling around locally in the Summer with my car windows rolled down. (Yes, rolled down, with a hand crank).
Thumb Tack
Using a thumb tack helps to keep the ribbon in place.
Toothpick
It is not absolutely necessary to use a toothpick, but it does help. If desired, use a toothpick to poke holes in the orange peel before adding the cloves. They can be a little spikey and hurt the finger tips.
Add the cloves
Add the whole cloves right into the orange peel, in the premade holes.
Scent Categories
There are many more scents that bring to mind various memories. One example is food smells. That would include pot roast in the crock pot, candy canes, funnel cake, buttered popcorn, fresh apples and, from growing up near the sweetest place on Earth, chocolate. Another example is environmental or nature smells. Some of these include Fall leaves, rain in the woods, lightening bugs, a limestone creek bed running through a wooded area, mud and evergreen trees. Yet one more group of scents is what I think of as man-made. Some of these include the smell of school bus fumes, perfume, various candle scents, various make-up, newspapers and many more.
Design
The cloves can have a pattern or design.
Random
The cloves can be put into the orange peel randomly.
Cinnamon
After all of the cloves are in place, you can roll the whole thing in cinnamon, if desired.
Pomanders’ Scent
Pomanders bring warm memories to many people. The citrus used is oranges, lemons or limes. Although, oranges are most popular. The orange is sweet, fresh and juicy. Often times citrus, especially lemon, is used to energize or enliven someone. On the other hand, whole cloves have a spicy and sweet scent that is warm and woodsy. Piercing the orange peel enhances its scent. When the cloves are added, the mixture is cozy, happy, warm and seasonal.
If desired, roll the finished pomander in ground cinnamon for an added warm fragrance. The cinnamon is also beneficial in preventing mold from forming on the orange. Mold can form depending on the temperature, humidity, lighting and air flow. If that does occur, the mold defeats the purpose of a cozy smell and instead offers a musty, earthy scent (and not in a good way). As the orange dries, the citrus scent gets even stronger.
Make Fragrant Pomanders
Fragrant pomanders made with an orange and whole cloves.
Materials
- 1 orange
- 1 bottle whole cloves
- toothpick
- ribbon (o[ptional)
- thumb tack (optional)
- cinnamon (optional)
Instructions
- If desired, add ribbon to the orange.
- With the toothpick, poke small holes into the orange peel. Create a pattern, shapes or design; or poke holes randomly.
- Push a whole clove into each toothpick hole.
- After all of the holes are filled, as few or as many as you desire, roll the whole thing in cinnamon. Tap the excess cinnamon off.
- Tie the ribbon into a bow or loop and hang it on the tree or somewhere else. If there is no ribbon, add the finished pomander to a decorative plate, bowl or basket with other seasonal decorations.
Notes
The purpose of the ribbon is to make a loop to hang the pomander. Additionally, the ribbon can be used for decoration. Wrap it around fully at least twice to make it secure. Some instructions I have read suggest drying the whole thing out in the oven. I don't think that is necessary. It takes away from enjoying the scent as the orange naturally dries.
This project is very simple to do. My three-year old made one with very little help from me. I just attached the ribbon around the orange for him. Then he had fun poking holes and pushing the cloves into the holes. When it was finished he was so proud to show his daddy what he made.
I hung them on our tree. If I make them again (which I probably will) I will use smaller oranges to hang on the tree. The larger oranges will be better in a bowl or on a plate or other decorative holder. The larger oranges are a little heavy for some of the branches. Smaller ones would work better.
I have read that cloves can be toxic to dogs, only in large quantities and in oil or powder form. However, cloves in any form can be toxic to cats. Of course, that is also in large quantities. Be careful if you have cats, especially if the pomanders are placed on a surface the cats can reach.
“4 But God is so rich in mercy, and he loved us so much, 5 that even though we were dead because of our sins, he gave us life when he raised Christ from the dead. (It is only by God’s grace that you have been saved!)” (Ephesians 2:4,5 NLT)