Herb and Spice Scented Holiday Ornaments for Child

Arlene Marturano - Arlene Marturano, an educator, consultant, master gardener, and writer advocates gardens as a context and gardening as a tool for ...

Scented Globe Ornaments - Arlene Marturano

For decorating trees, wreaths, windows, doorways, and chandeliers or giving a homemade gift to grandparents, friends, and teachers, these simple scented ornaments are fun and facile to make.

Whether working with your offspring or a classroom of students, these craft ideas are feasible financially and logistically. Clean-up provides a trip to the compost pile.

Spicy Orange Pinwheels

Orange pinwheels add a swirl of color to the tree and a scent of citrus to the air.

Fresh orangesKnifeCookie sheetsOven set to 150°FRibbon or twineCinnamon (optional)

Cut three-quarter inch slices of orange crosswise.Arrange slices on cookie sheets.Sprinkle sparingly with cinnamon if desired.Bake in oven for four hours turning hourly.Remove slices from oven when still an orange color but with only a small amount of moisture remaining.Make a small hole at the top of each slice with a paring knife.Insert a ribbon for hanging on the tree.Citrus Pomander

Pomanders are clove-studded fruit ball ornaments used to perfume and freshen the air in rooms and closets.

Basic ingredients for making pomanders include:

Lemons, limes, oranges, or kumquatsLarge container of whole clovesColorful ribbon or raffiaGround cinnamon, ginger or allspice (optional)

Gently rub fruit with hands to warm and soften rind.Press whole cloves over the entire surface as close as possible so no rind shows.For added scent roll clove-studded fruit in mixture of ground cinnamon, ginger, or allspice.Wrap holiday ribbon cross-wise around fruit for hanging as an ornament.As the ornament cures or dries, it shrinks.Hang pomander(s) from chandeliers and entranceways or place in bowl atop the mantle.Cinnamon Cookie Cutter Ornaments

These cinnamon ornaments are keepsakes. They will still be aromatic when your children are adults.

1 cup unsweetened applesauce1 cup cinnamon¼ cup white craft glueHoliday cookie cuttersRolling pinWaxed paper1 plastic drinking strawWhole cloves (optional)Glitter (optional)Assorted non-edible decorations (optional)Craft glue

Mix applesauce, cinnamon, and glue in a bowl.Form the dough into a ball.Seal the ball in plastic wrap.Chill in refrigerator for at least 60 minutes.Set chilled dough between or atop waxed paper.Press or roll dough to a ¼ inch thickness.Cut out shapes with cookie cutters.Create hole for hanging with the straw.Sprinkle glitter over top of each cutout if desired. Glitter holds due to glue in recipe.If using whole cloves, press in now.Set ornaments on rack or counter to dry for 24 hours or longer.Add ribbon and tie it closed at the end.Add other non-edible decorating options with glue.Allow glue to dry completely before hanging or giving as gifts.Scented Globe Ornaments

Let the good times roll when these globe ornaments become spheres of scent.

Recycled clear plastic knee-high containers or 1½ inch plastic ornaments from craft store that open into two halvesFresh garden herbs like peppermint, spearmint, catmint, rosemaryAwlSprigs of holly with berriesBrightly colored narrow ribbon

An adult should puncture an air hole in each half of the globe.Stuff fresh sprigs of mints or rosemary in each globe.Add a sprig of holly with berries.Close globe halves securely.Tie bright ribbon around the globe for hanging on tree.Tea Bag Ornaments

Homemade herbal tea bag ornaments for a miniature holiday tree will give many warm and soothing sipping pleasures during the rest of winter. The tea bag tree may be used by guests at a holiday drop-in or given as a gift.

Coffee filtersFresh or dried herbs for tea like mints, chamomile, lemon balmScissorsRed, green, gold, or silver threadSewing machineStapler or tapeString or embroidery thread

Cut coffee filters in pairs of rectangles approximately 2.5 inches by 3 inches.Stitch the filters together on three sides leaving an opening of 2.5 inches.Fill the bags with dried (1-2 tsp.) or fresh tea herbs (1 tbsp.).Stitch closed the fourth side of the filter.Fold down the top corners placing a 4-inch length of string or embroidery thread under one of the flaps.Fold the top of the tea bag down and staple or stitch closed.Cut seasonal paper tags to staple or tape to the end of the thread.Hang tea bag ornaments on miniature tree.Children will have “scentsational” fun making aromatic ornaments for the holidays and recycling surplus natural material in the compost pile.

Sources Herb Companion Staff. “Season-Scented Friends.” The Herb Companion, December 2001/January 2002.Keith, Amanda. “Loose Leaf Tea? Make Your Own Tea Bags!" A Beautiful Mess blog websitePatton, Justine. “D.I.Y. Orange Holiday Ornaments.” Herbal Living column for The Herb Companion website, December 7, 2011.