What are pomander balls?
Pomander balls are a fancy term for oranges decorated with cloves that make your home smell amazing for the holidays. DIY pomander balls can be hung as ornaments, used in garlands, or arranged as a part of a festive holiday centerpiece. Get our must-have tips for creating your orange pomanders.
What is the purpose of a pomander?
The pomander was worn or carried in a vase, also known by the same name, as a protection against infection in times of pestilence or merely as a useful article to modify bad smells. The globular cases which contained the pomanders were hung from a neck-chain or belt, or attached to the girdle, and were usually perforated in a variety...
What to do with orange pomander balls?
DIY pomander balls can be hung as ornaments, used in garlands, or arranged as a part of a festive holiday centerpiece. Get our must-have tips for creating your orange pomanders.
How do you make pomander balls with cloves?
Avoid inserting cloves in a straight line to prevent skin from splitting. Combine cinnamon and arrowroot and roll clove-studded orange in mixture. Set pomander ball on a plate or tray and allow to dry, about two weeks. Dust off excess powder.
What do you do with pomander balls?
Pomander balls are a fancy term for oranges decorated with cloves that make your home smell amazing for the holidays. DIY pomander balls can be hung as ornaments, used in garlands, or arranged as a part of a festive holiday centerpiece. Get our must-have tips for creating your orange pomanders.
What is the point of pomander?
Pomanders were used to offset foul odors and were also believed to protect against disease. Early pomanders were usually mixtures of fragrant spices, herbs, etc. in small metal containers, and they were often worn on chains, as jewelry, around the neck or at the waist.
What are orange pomanders used for?
The Orange Pomander is a fragrant spiced fruit that is popularly used as décor, incense, and a gift during the Fall and Winter Holidays. You have seen these beautiful and fragrant Oranges that are decorated with Clove, Cinnamon, and other warm spices. Making Orange Pomanders is favorite Holiday pastime in Modern times.
How long do dried pomander balls last?
3-4 daysYour finished pomander balls will only stay fresh for 3-4 days in a bowl at room temperature. You can extend their life by refrigerating them at night. After a few days, however, you will probably begin to see mold.
How long do orange pomanders last?
I know you want to keep your pomanders on display, but first there are a few tricks to note for keeping them from getting moldy. Display them in a bowl or on a plate for 3-4 days.
Can you dry pomanders in the oven?
can you dry pomanders in the oven? You can dry them in a sunny windowsill or alternatively in the oven. Use a preheated oven to 130°C, 275°F for about 4-5 hours, or until the fruit has darkened and dried out.
Why were oranges put in Christmas stockings?
St. Nicholas traveled to the house, and tossed three sacks of gold down the chimney for each of the dowries. The gold happened to land in each of the girls' stockings which were hanging by the fire to dry. The oranges we receive today are a symbol of the gold that was left in the stockings.
Why do we stick cloves in oranges?
Cloves alone are said to bring protection and money luck to those who use them and oranges have long been a good-luck gift around New Year in many cultures. So, by combining these two natural luck charms, one is sure to attract some positive energy by keeping a pomander close by.
Where did pomander balls come from?
Originally, pomanders were balls made of musk or ambergris hidden in perforated cases of silver or gold. In the British Museum there is a one from Spain, which is set with emeralds and dates from the 16th century. It was found in the mud of the Thames. King Henry VIII gave a pomander to his daughter Mary.
How do you preserve orange pomanders?
If you want your pomanders to last, store in a paper bag for a few weeks. Use lots of cloves which are a natural preserving agent. The cloves will draw out the juices and they'll shrink in size. Dusting with cinnamon helps, too, as cinnamon functions as an anti-fungal.
Where do you hang pomanders?
Top tip: Hang your pomander from a Christmas tree branch, your front door, or over a fireplace and let the festive fragrance waft through the house!
How do you make a pomander last longer?
To make your pomanders last longer, cover your citrus fruit in whole cloves, then place in a large bowl and cover with the optional cinnamon/spice mixture. Allow pomanders to “cure” for several weeks before attaching ribbon hangers. These “cured” pomanders will last for months, even years.
Why did Cardinal Wolsey carry an orange?
In those days of rampant disease, an orange was often considered a safeguard against infection. Its skin was saved and wrapped around a vinegar-soaked sponge and carried in the hand. Henry VIII's advisor, Cardinal Wolsey, is said to have been in the habit of carrying such an orange.
Where did the pomander originate?
Derived from the French term pomme d'ambre, which means 'apple of amber,' a pomander is essentially a ball assembled from various fragrant herbs. Pomanders originated in the Middle Ages and served a variety of purposes through history, including protection against illnesses and representing a religious keepsake.
What are clove balls used for?
Easy and Fragrant Orange-Clove Pomanders. Here's how to make pomander balls, which are simply oranges pierced by cloves. As the fruit dries, it releases a lovely fragrance. Pomanders make beautiful centerpieces, gifts for friends, tree ornaments, and air fresheners.
What is a pomander in a wedding?
A pomander is also known as a kissing ball and can be made of fresh or artificial flowers. Pomanders were traditionally made with perfumes and used to lessen bad smells. Nowadays, pomanders can be seen in many weddings.
What Are Pomander Balls?
French for pomme d’ambre, or apple of amber, a pomander ball is a “ball” made of perfumes. We see them in and around houses creating beautiful aromas.
Pomander Ball DIY: Making Your Own Pomander Balls at Home
Making pomander balls is very simple. It requires only a few ingredients:
Storing Pomander Balls
Dried pomander balls can be kept for years to come so storing them isn’t a hardship at all and there are no real rules to follow. As long as they’re dried, you can find a spot for them in and around the house.
Easy and Fragrant Orange-Clove Pomanders
Here’s how to make pomander balls, which are simply oranges pierced by cloves. As the fruit dries, it releases a lovely fragrance. Pomanders make beautiful centerpieces, gifts for friends, tree ornaments, and air fresheners.
What Is a Pomander?
Medieval herbalists used pomanders —mixtures of fragrant, dried herbs in cloth bags or perforated boxes—to ward off illness or bring strength and good fortune.
Ideas for Using Pomanders
Arrange the cloves in special shapes and patterns. For Halloween, make a jack-o’-lantern; for Thanksgiving, try a turkey; for Christmas, a Christmas tree!
What is a Pomander Ball?
Cloves are rather synonymous with the holidays (pumpkin pie!) and the aroma of cloves combined with oranges is sublime. This particular combo creates the quintessential pomander ball.
How to Make a Pomander Ball
A DIY pomander ball is a truly easy holiday crafting project. You will need:
Holiday Decorating Ideas Using DIY Pomander Balls
If you want an even stronger fragrance emanating from your DIY pomander balls, you can roll them in ground cinnamon, cloves, nutmeg, allspice, ginger, or a combination of spices.
Step 1: Poke and stick
Getting the kids involved in the pomander ball process can be a fun (and only a little messy) Christmas activity. It's as easy as sticking whole cloves into a fresh orange.
Step 2: Create designs
Once you have the hang of adding the cloves to the orange rind, try making detailed designs. Plan out the design of each pomander ball ahead of time with a pen. Try designs like swirls, stripes, stars, or Christmas figures.
How to Use Pomander Balls
Once you've made your pomander balls, display them somewhere you'll be able to enjoy the holiday scent. Place them in a Christmas centerpiece, dress up a festive garland on a staircase or mantel display, or include them in a holiday arrangement. To create a gorgeous arrangement, we recommend filling a container with floral foam.
Other Fruit Options
Maybe orange isn’t your favorite smell—if so, don’t be deterred from making pomander balls. Other citrus fruits make great pomander balls as well! Add cloves to grapefruits, lemons, or other citrus fruits for a slightly different scent and an added pop of color. You can also mix orange pomanders with cut citrus fruit for a unique blend of scents.
Drying Your Pomander Balls
Once each of your citrus fruits has cloves in perfect order and design, hang them up to dry. The scent of any pomander ball comes through once the fruit has dried a little. Hanging them up can help your pomander balls dry quickly and avoid mold.
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Old-fashioned orange pomander balls are easy to make (1975)
Stick cloves in an orange and you have a pomander ball — well, it is almost that simple. Pomander balls became popular around the seventeenth century, and have been in use ever since.
How to make fragrant pomander balls with oranges & cloves
Pomander balls — they have a delightful spicy aroma everyone will enjoy. Wrap firm and perfect oranges with narrow cotton tape to form four equal sections. S
Pomander balls bring back memories of Christmas 1903
As I opened a drawer in my office at the museum, the strong pleasant aroma of cinnamon and cloves met my nostrils and implanted in my mind a vision o Christmas about 1903.
QUICK NOTE
I like to use apples as the cloves can be pushed directly into the apple. When using oranges, you will need to make a pilot hole with a small nail or punch.
HOW to STORE
Your Easy Handmade Pomander Ball will last for many, many years! And, actually, remain quite fragrant. We have had ours for over 20 years. I love to make new ones each year. But, I always save them year after year. I wrap them in tissue paper and store in our Christmas Chest!!
