Traditional Holiday Craft Day

This year we’re featuring two crafts for our guests to make and take home: an orange clove pomander and a Christmas ornament. Did you know the pomander was traditionally used as an early air freshener? Yes, the pomander dates back to the mid-13th century, when it was believed that the good scents of a pomander would protect the carrier from the "evil airs" of the plague. Through the centuries this evolved into a jewelry-like ornament carried by the wealthy, and eventually to the orange and clove creation we know today. The pomander provided a pleasant whiff to shield the many unpleasant odors one might encounter in those early days. Through the years, the orange pomander became popular as a holiday decoration and if dried properly can last for decades. The second craft is a decoupage Christmas ornament featuring vintage holiday images and the Hugh Torance House and Store. Both crafts…