In the Middle Ages, a time not known for good hygiene, people wore pomanders to mask bad odors. Nowadays folks hang pomanders wherever they'd like a spicy scent. Our recipe uses a lemon for a compact, ornament-size result.

Materials

• Wide rubber bands
• Lemon
• Wooden skewer
• Whole cloves

• Cinnamon, ground cloves, allspice, nutmeg, and ground ginger
• Paper bag
• Fancy ribbon

Instructions

1. Put two wide rubber bands around a lemon; the bands will leave spaces for ribbon later. Use a wooden skewer to pierce the exposed skin of the lemon with holes about 1/4-inch apart, then insert whole cloves into the holes.

2. On a plate, mix together 3 tablespoons each of cinnamon, ground cloves, allspice, nutmeg, and ground ginger. Roll the lemon in the mixture to coat it.

3. Keep the lemon and plate inside a paper bag in a dry spot in the house. Roll the pomander in the spices once a day until the lemon is hard and dry; this can take 2 to 6 weeks, depending on your climate.
   

4. Once the pomander is dry, remove the rubber bands and tie fancy ribbon around it. Hang your pomander in a closet, from your tree, or from your mantel.

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