Yule Pomanders
14 October 2025
Yule celebrations date to ancient pagan cultures, with traditions that include bringing evergreen trees and boughs in from the outside to symbolizes life and renewal during the winter solstice. A Yule log honors the return of the sun's strength, and light. Pomanders are crafted to invite warmth and prosperity into the home. These and other customs celebrate the winter holiday season, and honor the cold weather months.
Citrus Pomaders studded with cloves are fragrant ornaments, gifts, or winter decor that symbolize goodwill and holiday cheer. To make them, choose fresh, unblemished oranges and whole cloves. Using an awl or skewer to create holes, insert the clove stems into the holes in the pattern of your choice. The cloves will dry the orange, preserving it and create a spicy scent. As the fruit dries and shrinks, the orange peel and cloves fuse and harden to create a lasting decoration. They can be rolled in a mixture of ground spices like cinnamon, cloves, and nutmeg for preservation and a more robust fragrance. Hang on a string in cool, dry, dark space to dry for a few weeks. They can also be dried by placing them in paper bags, with regular rotations to prevent rotting and mold. A food dehydrator will accelerate the process, but hanging them maintains the most natural shape as they shrink and harden.
INGREDIENTS -
Naval oranges
Whole dried cloves
Ground cinnamon
20 gage copper wire
TOOLS -
Awl, skewer, or toothpick
Linesman pliers
Wire cutters
Small needle nose pliers
Paper bags
PREPARATION -
Wash and dry fresh, firm oranges free of spots, and imperfections
Cut copper wire to a length that is about 3 inches longer than the orange from bottom to stem (top)
Make a small ‘u’ shaped loop on one end of the wire using the needle nose pliers; pass the straight end through the bottom, pushing it all the way through the orange until the loop hooked into the skin and protrudes from the top
Using a tool (awl, skewer, or toothpick) to make holes. Create your design and insert cloves
Roll finished pomader in cinnamon (and other spices if you want)
Hang on a string to dry, shrink, and harden
NOTES -
Naval oranges are preferred for their thick skin - clementines, lemons, and limes can also be used, even smaller grapefruits. There is a higher risk of mold and rot with larger fruits.
