Make Pomander Balls with Oranges and Cloves
An easy holiday DIY project
We know pomanders, or pomander balls, as the ornaments made with oranges, or even an apple, studded with cloves, but they have a longer history than just for serving as a decoration.
According to the Old Farmer’s Almanac: “The word “pomander” derives from the French pomme d’ambre, meaning “apple of amber”—a reference to the round shape of the object and the occasional addition of ambergris (an aged substance from the bile duct of a sperm whale). Strongly scented pomanders of ambergris were used in Europe during the time of the Black Death to (unsuccessfully) cover up and purify ‘bad air.’”
If you’re wondering what ambergris might have smelled like (or perhaps you are not), it is said to have been a little musky. Perfect for covering up unwanted scents.
These pomander balls were hidden inside perforated cases of silver or gold, which would look beautiful as adornment, but also release the scent. That however was an expensive habit, and people with fewer means soon turned to the fruit and clove option.
Not only did they smell good, but they were said to ward off bad spirits and bring good fortune, and these pomander balls quickly became popular gifts and ornaments. Even King Henry VIII was said to have given a pomander to his daughter Mary.
Today many of us gravitate towards aromatherapy and essential oils, and while these might seem like popular modern wellness trends, we have appreciated the power of scents for thousands of years. Ancient Egyptians burned incense to please their gods, wafts of myrrh, sweet rush, wine and juniper filling the air, and the Greeks were the first to create perfume that was meant to be worn on the skin.
Scent is an important factor in wellbeing, and some of our most favorite holiday scents, like pine, cinnamon, and peppermint are good for both our physical and mental health. These same smells can also invoke powerful memories, because when we smell something, our brain actually processes the memory attached to a smell before we consciously begin to figure out what the smell actually is. Not only good for nostalgia, scents can fuel creativity.
Which makes it all the more worthwhile to bring in a few more greens, bake a few more cookies and make a pomander or two. Anything that releases the smell of the season into the air.
Capture the essence of the season. Pierce an orange with cloves, string it up and hang it to dry (as it dries, the smell becomes more powerful).
Maybe even pass one along as a gift, an offering to someone else who might enjoy the memories and good spirits the smell just might invoke.
