Clove Studded Oranges

I remember making these clove studded orange pomanders with my sister when I was little. I loved them back then and I love them now. I think they evoke nostalgia for many people. They have a wonderfully sweet holiday smell. And, best of all, they're easy to make, which make them perfect for both kids and adults!

As I was doing research for this blog, I found there are many different recipes out there. Some recipes call for using sandalwood oil, orris root, and crushed spices, which the oranges are rolled in before or after being studded with cloves. I don't remember doing all this back in the day. Other recipes are really simple, and you just pierce the oranges with cloves, then tie a string around them to hang them. That's more like what we did as kids. It is best to use a toothpick, or something similar (knitting needle, skewer, fork), to poke holes in the oranges before putting the cloves in. Otherwise, you'll quickly find that it can be tough to get the clove in the orange, and those sharp little cloves can be painful! The simple kind last 1-2 weeks. The more complex recipes last longer because some of the ingredients are natural preservatives.

You can get creative and use different fruits like lemons, limes, and apples and try different designs with the cloves. Also have fun with your ribbon. Select one you love, crisscross it, or leave a strip of the orange clove-less that will have the ribbon over it.

These make great gifts and holiday decor. Let's keep this tradition alive!