DIY Paper Mache Pomegranate Ornaments

   You might think that pomegranates are an unlikely fruit selection to represent the Christmas holidays here in the Western part of the world, but this fruit is very much a part of Christmas in the East. These colorful, delicious edibles have ancient origins and many folks attach their folklore and symbolism to them. I've linked to histories below the directions if you would like to learn more about the pomegranate's history and the meaning associated with them.

Finished pomegranates for the Christmas tree.

Supply List:

• paper mache pulp
• Styrofoam pellets
• acrylic paints: brown, red, pink, green and white
• masking tape
• recycled paper egg carton
• tissue paper
• white school glue
• 3 cotton balls
• wire for the stems
• typing paper, one sheet
• Mod Podge

Step-by-Step Instructions:

1. Cut out the cups of a cardboard egg carton. You will need two per pomegranate. 
2. Use masking tape to form a larger hollowed out cup of this ancient fruit.
3. Mask the surfaces of the cups, first with tape and then a layer of shredded typing paper and white glue.
4. Attach also the calyx shaped using masking tape and paper.
5. Mix together part water and paper mache pulp. You will not need much of this pulp to cover the outside surfaces of the skin. Mix it according to the directions on the package. Let it harden over a few days. You can strategically place the faux fruit near a space heater or in the sunshine. This will help the pulp to dry faster.
6. First fill the cavity of each pomegranate with tissue paper and tape the tissue down to give it a smooth surface on the inside of the ornament.
7. Then fill the shallower part of that same cavity with white school glue and press the Styrofoam pellets or beads down into this glue. Let it dry. 
8. Unravel the cotton balls and line the outer edges of the cavity with layered white glue and cotton batting. See pictures.
9. Now paint all of the surfaces red and white just as you see these in the pictures included here.
10. Take more of the unraveled cotton batting and roll this around the wire to give it more thickness.
11. Use a sharp-tipped pair of scissors to poke a in the top of each pomegranate. Fill the whole with glue and poke the cotton covered wire down inside. Let dry before painting the stem green.
12. Shape the stems into curly looking vines. You may hang the fruit form this stem or attach a hook to it.
13. Seal off all of the surfaces using Mod Podge once the glue and paint have dried.

More About Pomegranates:

• A 16th Century Pomegranate Design for Chrismons
• The Pomegranate Cross
• Color the pomegranate or use the image here for embroidery 

Left, the hollow shaped pomegranates before the paper pulp has been smoothed over the outside
surfaces. Right, what these ornaments look like on the back when finished.