Going on a field trip to Black Creek Pioneer Village inspired me to find a kid craft for orange clove pomanders. They smell great and scream ‘Victorian Christmas’. This is a appropriate craft for a school aged child – with parental help.
Here’s what you need;
a washed orange or lemon
many many whole cloves
cinnamon
nutmeg
orris root oil (available at craft stores or on-line)
orange or lemon oil
Push the cloves into the orange/lemon in a pattern (stripes, swirls) or completely cover. You could use toothpicks to prick the skin first and save some labour.
Mix the orris root, cinnamon, nutmeg and orange/lemon oil in a small container. Then roll the orange/lemon in the spice mixture.
Wrap with Kleenex or cheese cloth. Use ribbon to hang it as a decoration.
If you notice mold as it cures — throw it out. It takes about 3 weeks to completely cure. Then, you can keep it for years. Should you notice the scent lessening simply add clove oil to the pomander and re-roll it in the spices.