Making Traditional
Pomander for Christmas
Making Traditional
Pomander for Christmas
Pomanders have been used since
the Middle Ages. The pomanders that we make today are rooted in Colonial and
Victorian times. During those times, pomanders were not only decorative but also
useful to cover up bad odors.
They will serve that same useful purpose
today, keeping a closet or little used room fragrant with spices and citrus.
Apples were frequently used as the pomander base during the Colonial period
because oranges were too expensive. Pomanders today are usually made from
oranges. You could choose to make your pomanders from:
apples ,oranges
,lemons ,limes ,crab apples ,kumquats .
The smaller pomanders can be hung
on the Christmas tree or tied onto packages Supplies needed:
fruit for
base whole cloves
powdered/ground spices such as
•cloves
•cinnamon •ginger •nutmeg •powdered/ground orris root
1.Mix the spices
and orris root together. This mixture will help your pomander dry and increase
its fragrance. It also helps preserve the pomander. Use about one part orris
root to four parts spice mixture. 2.Select firm, ripe fruit with no blemishes.
3.Use a skewer of some sort to poke holes in the fruit.
4.Push
the stem of the clove into the fruit.
5.Place the cloves close together on
the fruit. •This is a slow, but pleasant process. •Try to complete each fruit in
one session.
6.When the orange or apple is completely covered with
cloves, roll it in the spice and orris root mixture.
7.Leave it in the
spices.
8.Put the fruit and spices in a cool, dark place.
9.Each
day, until the fruit dries, roll it in the spices. When the pomanders are dry,
tie a bright ribbon around them and heap in bowl. You can also run a ribbon
through the pomanders and use the ribbon to hang them on the Christmas tree.
1.If you want a stronger citrus fragrance, combine the traditional
pomander described above with more contemporary designs.
2.A quick,
pretty pomander can be made by placing cloves in a decorative pattern around an
orange. This version does not cover the fruit with cloves and will not last.
3.The traditional pomander can be stored for years.