Christmas Pomanders: From Clove Oranges to a Gold Pomander That Lasts
Clove oranges were the first Christmas pomanders. A gold pomander carries the tradition into the closet, and onto the tree.
For generations, families have pushed cloves into oranges in December and hung them to scent the house. That clove orange is a pomander, the home-made cousin of the gold scented spheres carried in royal courts.
The tradition
- Clove oranges were given as gifts and hung in wardrobes and kitchens through the winter.
- They dry slowly over weeks and fill a room with spice.
- Today they're a holiday craft with children, though they don't last much past January.
A pomander that lasts
The Wardrobe Pomander keeps the tradition and the gold. A pierced gold sphere on a black satin ribbon holds a soft wool sphere infused with one of our hotel scents. Hang it on the tree for the season, then move it to a closet in January, where it keeps scenting for years with a fresh sphere.
Giving one as a Christmas gift
- For the person who has everything: something beautiful and useful they'd never buy themselves.
- For a hostess or neighbour: it arrives in a rigid black gift box with a care card.
- For someone far away: it travels well.
- As a refill stocking stuffer: a Scent Spheres refill for someone who already has a pomander.
Holiday scents
- Ambre Safran: amber, orchid and sandalwood; the warmest, most festive choice.
- Cèdre Noir: cedar, cardamom and leather, like a winter cabin.
- Velours Rose: rose, orange blossom and vanilla, soft and celebratory.
- Thé Blanc: white tea and musk for those who like their holidays clean and calm.
Order early: each set is made to order in small batches in Toronto.
Quick answers
What is a Christmas pomander? Traditionally an orange studded with cloves; today also a scented gold sphere hung on the tree or in a closet.
How long does a clove orange pomander last? Usually a few weeks to a season. A gold pomander lasts for years with fresh scent spheres.
Is a pomander a good Christmas gift? Yes: beautiful, useful all year, and easy to refresh.
Explore: the Scaldera Arch · Shop the collection · Take the Scent Quiz · Membership · Refill subscription
More from the Journal
- What Is a Pomander? The Story of the Scented Gold Sphere — From royal courts to the modern wardrobe: what a pomander is, where it came from, and how people use one today.
- Scented Sachets, Cedar Blocks or a Pomander: Which Is Best for Your Closet? — Three classic ways to scent a closet, compared honestly: sachets, cedar and the pomander.
- Luxury Gifts for Someone Who Has Everything — The person who has everything still loves a beautiful, useful thing they'd never buy themselves. Ideas that feel personal.