Nothing makes a home feel cozier at Christmas time then the scents of citrus and spices wafting through the air! And it just so happens that orange and clove pomanders is the perfect easy winter holiday craft to make with your kids. What better way to celebrate than a sweet and spicy activity with the kids that also helps them develop their all-important fine motor skills!
We were inspired to make these sweet-smelling decorations by a photo of pomanders in a magazine. The pomanders looked like an easy and calming way to spend an afternoon and we were not disappointed!
How to Make Orange and Clove Pomanders
What you need:
- a few oranges
- cloves
- a nail (optional)
- masking tape (optional)
- ribbon (optional)
Instructions:
Hold orange in one hand, poke cloves into the orange with the other.
That's essentially it.
However, since poking the cloves into the orange takes some strength, my son used a marker to make dots where he wanted to place the cloves and I pre-poked holes with a nail. He was then able to press the cloves into the oranges with relative ease.
As an option, use masking tape or painter's tape as a guide for where you want the cloves to go. Simply remove the tape when you are finished with your design.
He became really focused on making pomanders worked independently for quite some time (and isn't that always every parent's secret goal). I will admit, I also found making pomanders quite relaxing. And the surprise bonus is that when I finished, the cloves had made my fingers smelled great!
MORE: The Absolute Easiest Holiday Crafts for Kids
Some instructions advise using orris root to help preserve the pomanders. I didn't bother with that, however, and neither should you. You're not going to want to store these from year to year. Just compost the pomanders when they start to mold, or cut them in half and set outside for the birds and squirrels.
And remember... please-oh-please let your child chose where to put their cloves! For heaven's sake don't draw a pretty design for him to follow. If the pomander comes out looking like it has been through a battle, that's totally okay. Allow your child to develop their own independent creative identity.
And if you really love the smell of oranges at Christmas, dry some orange slices and have your kids string them up to make ornaments or a garland. This is one of our favorite indoor winter nature activities and excellent for fine motor work!
Here's a video to show you how to dry orange slices:
5orangepotatoes says
We love making these! They smell so yummy. I have the girls poke a fork into the orange to make holes for the cloves. Ours keep for a long time, depending on the amount of cloves the orange has.
happy holidays!
Raising a Happy Child says
I have never heard about them until one of my online friends mentioned them on her blog. Sounds like fun... next year project by now 🙂
Morgan says
We fill the entire orange with cloves. They are going on at least ten years now and still smell faintly of cloves. Each year I make another one to add to the fragrance. Now it’s time to get my grandkids helping. I don’t use orris root and mine haven’t molded.