House of Hawthornes

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How To Make Cloved Oranges

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How to make cloved oranges aka a pomander. A simple, inexpensive way to add traditional holiday decor (and aroma) to your home. #ChristmasDecor #holidayhome #holidaydecor #holidayseason #diyproject


When was the last time you made cloved oranges?

How to make cloved oranges aka a pomander. A simple, inexpensive way to add traditional holiday decor (and aroma) to your home. via houseofhawthornes.com

For me it was when I was in Brownies. So, maybe ten years ago? Or more 🙂

They are SUPER simple to make.

How To Make Cloved Oranges

All you need is a can of cloves (found in the spice aisle of the grocery store),

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How to make cloved oranges aka a pomander. A simple, inexpensive way to add traditional holiday decor (and aroma) to your home. via houseofhawthornes.com

some oranges and a wooden skewer.

How to make cloved oranges aka a pomander. A simple, inexpensive way to add traditional holiday decor (and aroma) to your home. via houseofhawthornes.com

I planned out an elaborate design for each orange, and then realized that oranges are round and it’s hard to make straight lines on a round item. So I opted for more simple designs.

Really, you should have seen my depiction of The Last Supper that I was going to make on the oranges.

How to make cloved oranges aka a pomander. A simple, inexpensive way to add traditional holiday decor (and aroma) to your home. via houseofhawthornes.com

Just poke a hole in the orange and then push in a clove.

How to make cloved oranges aka a pomander. A simple, inexpensive way to add traditional holiday decor (and aroma) to your home. via houseofhawthornes.com

Cloves are pointy by nature, so you wouldn’t have to use a skewer to make a hole, it just saves you a little time to poke a hole first.

How to make cloved oranges aka a pomander. A simple, inexpensive way to add traditional holiday decor (and aroma) to your home. via houseofhawthornes.com

The smell of the clove mixed with the juice of the orange is heavenly.

How to make cloved oranges aka a pomander. A simple, inexpensive way to add traditional holiday decor (and aroma) to your home. via houseofhawthornes.com

Cloved oranges only take about five minutes each to make and the cost of three oranges and a can of cloves is around $5.00.

Those Brownies know something about making easy and classic crafts.

 

Edited To Add – I was wondering why cloved oranges don’t mold or attract gnats or anything like that, because I swear my mom used to keep hers for years. It appears the cloves help preserve the orange as it dries and acts as an anti-microbial. Cloves are one of the spices the Egyptians used for embalming, so I guess it makes total sense now.

Learn how to make cloved oranges.  It's easier than you think and will make your home smell amazing for the holidays! #ChristmasDecor #holidayhome #holidaydecor #holidayseason #diyproject

Looking for more winter and Christmas ideas? Some of my favorite holiday ideas:

How To Make Winter Porch Pots

Retro Styled Handmade Christmas Ornaments

Holiday Beeswax Bowl Covers

DIY Stove Top Home Fragrance

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Comments

  1. This is always an excellent craft activity for kids to do. My daughter made one two years ago and it’s still going strong! There is a danger that they can turn mouldy and so the advice is, I believe, to pop the newly cloved orange into a paper bag and put it in a dry warm place for a few days to dry out and bob’s yer uncle. xx

  4. As a former Girl Scout, way back when… I admit to making this too. Thank you for reminding me that simple things can be more festive, than something you spend alot of money on. If I remember, the smell is heavenly. Take care.

  5. This is such a cute idea. I was just thinking about it yesterday, that’s so funny that you posted this. I wonder if it would work with little clemintines?

  7. I would make these with my mom. The funny thing is, I can’t remember anything else that we made together. We would cover the orange and my fingers would hurt. Like your idea to poke them first. I can smell them through the computer.

  9. OK, I’ve never done this before, but I’ve always loved smelling and looking at them! Maybe this year I’ll do it! Thanks for inspiring me! Where did you put the Last Supper one, I don’t see it 😉
    Debbie

  10. When I was first married years ago and lived on base housing, I remember making some and sitting them in the bathroom to make the bathroom smell good. It worked! I love the smell of oranges and cloves together!~Hugs, Patti

  13. I love cloved oranges! We used to make one every year at Christmas time when I was growing up, but it’s been years since we made one. We used to attach some ribbon loops to the top and make it kind of like a kissing ball, so it could hang. My mom would hang it in a doorway, with a little bit of greenery so you could smell it when you walked into the room.

  14. Oh I had forgotten about those, but they smell so good. I really need to make some. Yours look so pretty and are beautifully displayed. Thanks for reminding me. Thanks also for the comments about the old fashioned tree. I can’t wait to see yours. I love to see all the wonderful vintage and collected ornaments everyone has. Hugs, Marty

  15. I can imagine the wonderful scent just looking at your photos! It’s been years since I’ve seen that done but it’s just about time to go to the orchards here in Florida for fresh oranges! ♥

  16. I wanna see your take on The Last Supper lol!!!
    These look great. Too bad I quit Brownies or else I too would know how to make them!
    I love your new banner Pam. I sure do miss my red cardinals. They don’t have them here 🙁 !
    Hope to do a post soon…if they ever let me out of work!

  17. You totally crack me up. This post is just what I needed tonight. I haven’t thought about clove oranges in a million years. Such a fun memory. Your new blog header is divine. Beautiful images.

  19. Thanks for reminding me. I did these a few years ago. I can practically smell them from your awesome pictures. It’s my granddaughter’s turn for a sleepover tomorrow. This would be a fun project for us.

  22. I love the smell of orange and clove, and the pine needles look so pretty next to them. I used to go to my sister’s house, and she would always have the smell of orange and clove in her kitchen. Made me feel so welcome.
    ~Sheri at Red Rose Alley

  23. Amazing. This is something I see every Christmas yet have never done. I guess I’m always nervous a dog will eat them or something. I do love the orange with the brown as a tropical Christmas color scheme. andrea@townandprairie

  26. I have oranges set aside to make mine today… Yours are simply beautiful, and I love the way you’ve displayed them. Very Nice Post!

  27. I’ve put the whole cloves in the peels and boiled them for the smell, but I’ve never done this. It’s much prettier! Definitely going to try it! 🙂

    Kelly

  28. Isabella and I will do this over the weekend I remember as a little girl always having cloved oranges, The scent amazing!!

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  33. They had oranges way back then?! Ha! Well, I guess so, you did say it was only 10 years ago.
    Only thing I remember from Brownies was someone taught me the wrong words to The Ants Go Marching 1 by 1. During our program everyone got quiet and I sang out to KISS HIS BEHIND on they go marching 9 by 9. I’m still scarred by that.
    I’ve never made these but I plan too now…I remember the wonderful smell. Do you remember the Brownie promise? Post the sketch for your Lord’s Supper.

  35. The cloves may be pointy – but the skewer saves your fingers! Also, makes it easier to do w/ little ones — I poke w/ the skewer & they put the clove in so much more easily. OR they poke w/ both skewer and clove! If making a design, it’s easier to lightly draw a design (simple or ornate) w/ pencil and use it as a guide (for yourself or for child).

  36. I love to make orange pomanders for Christmas. I remember making them in elementary school. And, you’re right. It’s easier to make simple designs, and use a skewer to make the holes. I make them almost every year. Love the fragrance. Happy Thanksgiving and Merry Christmas.

  38. I was just thinking of making orange cleaner, you know, with vinegar and orange peels. Anyways I wonder if adding the cloves to it would work too. I guess I shall have to experiment and see.

  40. Thanks for the idea. My husband decided he wanted to make one of these this year. I was out looking for directions and noticed I had pinned your post to my Christmas board – good timing.

  41. Howz about the, “Mona Lisa” alá Cloves?
    About to create some now!
    I’ve read you can put a rubber band on the orange to use a guide for
    straight lines*lines*around the middle
    These beauties are one of nature’s perfect delights!
    OMG!!!…I was THERE when you sang that lyric, man!
    It scarred me too!!

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