This year hasn’t been the best for many of us, but there are two things that 2020 can’t take from me: baby Jesus and pomanders.

I know what you’re thinking: 1) Jamie has officially lost it and 2) I doubt pomanders are a real thing. It sounds like a magical creature that might try to poison your character in your next D&D encounter. Or maybe a fantastical elixir that cures a grinchy spirit.

Not so, my friends! (Well, I might have lost it, but that was Facebook official a long time ago.)

Pomanders are little oranges with cloves stuck in them. It makes an absolutely heavenly scent that, if dried, can last for a full year. Historically, they used to be used as potpourri or placed in drawers to keep things smelling lovely.

In our backyard, we have an unidentified citrus tree that was planted by the previous owners. The fruit is bitter and the branches have thorns the size of melee weapons, but it produces about a 25,000 little orange-lookin’ things that make fantastic pomanders!

If you’re stuck at home this holiday season, see if you can scrounge up some oranges and cloves for a fun little craft to lighten your spirits. And don’t forget the most joyful story of all: God sent his own son to rescue humanity from its own wretched hive of scum and villainy (yes, I can reference Jesus and Star Wars in the same sentence and be totally serious lol).

Merry Christmas!