Do you have a holiday craft that’s a family tradition? I remember sitting at the kitchen table with my mother, pressing cloves into oranges each year. I never knew then that these fragrant decorations had a formal name or that people have used them at Christmas since the Middle Ages.
I simply thought it was my mom’s clever way of keeping me occupied while biscochos baked in the oven.
The spicy, citrusy, sweet aroma brings back so many warm memories. This season can feel hectic, but making simple projects like this with children gives everyone a chance to slow down, connect and create lasting holiday memories.
We used our clove-studded oranges as a colorful centerpiece, arranging them with pinecones and small evergreen sprigs for a festive, aromatic display. You can also tie a ribbon around each one and hang them on the tree as scented ornaments.
Projects like this help you relax, appreciate the year that’s passed and enjoy time together. I hold this craft close to my heart and I think you will, too.
Supplies:
- Oranges, mandarins, or clementines
- Whole cloves
- Toothpicks
- Crayon (optional, for drawing patterns)
- Carving tool or small knife (optional, for scoring designs)
- Ribbon (optional, for hanging)
We browsed Pinterest for inspiration and recreated a few playful designs on our oranges. You can draw patterns with a crayon and then score along the lines with a carving tool to guide the cloves. For young children, use a toothpick to pre-poke holes so they don’t have to press the cloves in with force—this protects their little hands.
If you want your pomanders to last longer, store them in a paper bag for several weeks. Using plenty of cloves helps preserve them naturally: the cloves draw out moisture and the fruit will shrink slightly as it dries, concentrating the scent.
Photography: Jenna Sparks / DIY: Thrifty Rehab