Pomanders are fragrant holiday decorations -- dry, aromatic spheres prepared by studding citrus fruits, such as oranges, lemon or cumquats with cloves. Pomanders have been used since medieval times, when the first pomanders were made from the ambergris collected from whales. Made properly and dried out first, they should not become moldy*. The scent should last for up to a year, and you can refresh them with fragrant sprays made from essential and fragrance oils.

CITRUS POMANDERS

To make citrus pomanders, you will need the following:

· clean, dry and undamaged citrus fruit, such as lemons, oranges and cumquats
· fine knitting needle or kitchen/BBQ skewer or a 2 inch nail
· whole cloves
· dried spices such as ground cloves, cinnamon, nutmeg or coriander
· ground orris root
· plastic zip lock baggies

To make a pomander, first decide upon a design. Before you stud the fruit with cloves poke a hole first with a skewer, nail or knitting needle. Make the holes approx. 1/4" apart. (Leaving less space between cloves may result in broken fruit skin and your pomander may fall apart.) Insert cloves. The more cloves in your pattern (i.e., the more thoroughly you cover the fruit), the better the chances of it drying properly and not molding over.*

You can strengthen the scent by mixing about 1 tablespoon of ground spices per fruit with 1/2 teaspoon of ground orris root in the zip lock baggie. Add the pierced and decorated fruit, seal bag and shake (a la shake and bake). The orris root helps speed drying and enhances the staying-power of the fragrance. To hang this pomander, use ribbons or raffia to create a cradle and sling the fruit from it. Form a bow at the top for the hanger. You can also artfully display several pomanders in a fruit bowl, or other such container, and use as a table centerpiece. The scent of citrus and spices will fill your home and delight you!

* If the scent from your pomander begins to wane, try a simple scented spray. This spray contains potassium sorbate, a food-safe preservative that will prevent mold from forming on your beautiful creation!

Materials:

· 1 - 8 ounce plastic or glass bottle with spray attachment
· 1 ounce essential oil blend or fragrance oil (use traditional scents
such as cinnamon, clove, cedarwood, vanilla, myrrh, frankincense, apple, orange, lemon, etc.)
· 6 ounces distilled water
· 1/8 teaspoon potassium sorbate (food preservative to prevent spoilage)
· 1 ounce polysorbate 20 (a food grade emulsifier to blend your oils and water together). Mix everything in the bottle and spray lightly onto pomander from a distance of about 6 inches. Be sure to cover the ball in a light mist. Do not soak.

DRIED FLOWER POMANDER

To make these lovely, fragrant pomanders, you will need the following materials:

· 3" diameter styrofoam ball · White glue (Elmer's-type)
· waxed paper
· Dried lavender buds, calendula, safflower or rose petals
· Raffia or thin ribbons
· Hot glue sticks and glue gun
· Pink or Red dried rose buds
· Silk ivy strands
· Dried baby's breath
· Floral wire
· scissors

1) Place an 18" length of waxed paper over your work surface. spread about 1/2 cup of dried flower material on the waxed paper and level it out to about 1/8" in depth.

2) Make a lavender (or other flower petal material) ball. Cover styrofoam ball evenly with white glue. Roll ball in dried flower material and cover completely. Allow to dry thoroughly before proceeding. This usually takes 12-24 hours.

3) Gather 4 pieces of ribbon or raffia together and tie a knot in the center. Place the knot on the lavender ball and sling two strands around either side of the ball, to make a girdle. Tie ribbon/raffia at the top of the ball, in a knot. The two knots should be at either end (north/south) of the ball. You can innovate and improvise your raffia/ribbon sling-girdles.

4) Loop a strand of raffia or ribbon through the knot at the top of the ball. You can also use floral wire to strengthen the top loop and insert the wire into the ball.

5) Hot glue the rosebuds and other floral embellishments at the top knot/top loop.