This year feels different. Christmas time is here and I'm finally feeling it. I say finally because for the last couple of years I've been a total grinch. But this year the Christmas spirit is alive and well in our home. Almost every day this December we have been listening to music, making Christmas crafts, baking, cooking and delivering goodies to friends to spread the cheer.
I'd like to share some more holiday cheer here on the blog. Every day this week I will share a classic Christmas craft. These will all be inexpensive, traditional, homemade Christmas decor ideas that kids and adults alike will love.
First up, fragrant orange and clove pomanders.
What is a Pomander?
Once upon a time, long, long ago, people used mixtures of fragrant herbs to purify the air of illnesses. Those cleansing aromatic packages are called pomanders.
Now we associate the powerful smells of citrus and spices with the holiday season. The classic orange and clove pomanders will stir up that Christmas spirit every time.
How to Make Orange and Clove Pomanders
Poke whole cloves into firm oranges. Yep, that's all there is to it.
This is a nice activity to leave out on the table as an ongoing project for you and your kids. A little tray or bowl with some oranges and dish full of cloves makes a beautiful centre piece. Pushing cloves into fun patterns is pretty satisfying too.
The cloves can be pokey and tough to push into the oranges sometimes. Pre-poke holes with a toothpick if you need to.
As the oranges dehydrate they will release an amazing festive aroma. To make these even more fragrant, try rolling them in spices like ground cinnamon, nutmeg and allspice.
The antibacterial qualities of the cloves will prevent the oranges from rotting.
Your orange pomanders can be displayed in an arrangement with fresh spruce boughs, cinnamon sticks, dehydrated fruit, or dry perennial seed heads from the garden. They can also be wrapped in string or ribbon and hung on your Christmas tree.
Happy Holidays Everyone!
Check back every day this week for another #classicchristmas idea.
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