Make Orange & Clove Pomander Balls, Easy Holiday Throwback Craft!
Pierce oranges with cloves to make pomander balls as a fragrant and simple Christmas centerpiece idea!
Looking for an EASY last-minute Christmas craft idea everyone will enjoy making?!
Check out these gorgeous and fragrant pomander balls using just whole cloves and oranges! 🍊Such a fun and frugal activity. This is a beautiful old-fashioned craft that is truly so simple to do with all ages, and the results smell so amazing!
Pomander balls are so simple, anyone can participate — no craft skills required!
I love that everyone can come up with their own creative design and it’s a fun activity to do on your own, or as a chance to gather family or friends around the table for some quality time together. I found it almost therapeutic to just sit down, zone out, and do something creative!
To make these beautiful pomanders, simply pierce the orange with something sharp first like the end of a skewer or sharp nail, and then insert your cloves. It could not be easier!
As the orange dries you’ll notice the beautiful spicy fragrance. The combo of citrus and clove smell quite heavenly. 🥰
Make pomander balls into a beautiful last-minute and inexpensive centerpiece.
For this simple arrangement, I picked up a few FREE Christmas tree trimmings I spotted by the Christmas tree lot of my Home Depot and placed them at the bottom of a large wooden dough bowl. I then added some flameless LED candles like these and arranged my pomander balls and some cinnamon sticks around the candles. So easy!
The festive table runner I am using here is just a plaid blanket scarf from my closet! I love when things can have dual uses like that.
Hip Tip: I recently learned how to make a cute Christmas tree napkin fold from this helpful Instagram video and wanted to share it as a fun tip to jazz up your table because it’s easy! Just use a square-shaped cloth dinner napkin you may have on hand. After a couple of tries, you’ll be a pro!
Orange & Clove Pomander Balls
PrintSupplies Needed
Directions
1
Use the end of a wood skewer or sharp nail to poke holes in the orange and make various designs.
2
Insert cloves into the holes.
3
Group together your oranges and display them in a bowl as a holiday centerpiece.
Oh my goodness, I love this Christmas craft so much!
Not only do they look fancy and beautiful grouped in a bowl together, but the arrangement smells incredible too. I will for sure be including pomanders of our yearly holiday traditions moving forward! Next time, I look forward to trying this with other citrus fruits like maybe a lemon or grapefruit.
Turns out this pomander balls craft is a team favorite pastime:
“Oh the memories… this craft brings me back to my childhood. I can literally smell the wonderful fragrance that these make. 😍 My mom and I would make these together during the Christmas season when I was little. Thanks for the reminder on these wonderful clove oranges, now I’m off to force my teens to make them with me! 😆” – Collin
“Like Collin, I grew up making these with my mom and it was one of my favorite Christmas time traditions. ❤️ I had actually forgotten about this simple and scented decor idea until this post and I am totally grabbing oranges and cloves next time I’m at the grocery store! The scent just embodies the holidays and adding some pine to the mix makes it even better!” – Emily
Do you enjoy making orange and clove pomanders too?
This easy Christmas simmer pot scent will also make your home smell amazing!
Memories! Thank you for the reminder of a fond childhood activity.
Yes!!
Sure! I love this activity!
My daughter would really enjoy doing these but I’ve never done anything like this – how long will it last? (i.e. if I do it now, would it still look/smell nice for Christmas day?)
I have had mine for 5 days out and they are good. I did some online search and it says 3-4 days and the more cloves you use the longer it stays. You can also store in fridge at night to extend life.
If others have more info please share 💕
Placed in a decorative bowl in a cellophane bag with a bow, they can make great hostess gifts for Christmas parties.
Ohhh love that idea! Thanks Tiffany!
I used to make these as a little girl! We would cover the entire orange with cloves. I like the pretty designs! Thanks for the memories of Christmas past.
Oh nice Sharon! You’re welcome. We love this craft.
Dust them with orrisroot to help preserve them for up to a year. You can also add cinnamon to the orrisroot powder. Google where to buy it – health food stores normally have it.
Ok yes thanks Jules!
My mom has one on her tree I made (in college) around 14 years ago.
Doesn’t the orange eventually start to rot? How does it last so long?
It shrunk yes. But my mom says it still smells good. She’s very OCD and would throw it out as soon as it was bad.
Forgot to add that mine was covered in cloves! No designs though.