How to Make Your Own Christmas Potpourri

I love almost everything about this time of year including the scents that fill the entire house in a natural way similar to the pleasant aroma of a real Christmas tree. A great and inexpensive way to enjoy the smells of Christmas is by simmering this Christmas Stovetop Potpourri recipe.

It's so easy to make, budget-friendly, and smells amazing!

When there's a chill in the air and the first thing you or guests smell are unforgettable holiday scents there's almost nothing better.

All throughout the year, weather permitting, I have my windows open but once the winter hits I can't do that very often but that's a great time to make this super easy homemade Christmas potpourri.

Jump to:

• ☃️Why You'll Love This Recipe
• 🤶Simmer Pot Ingredients
• 🎁Instructions
• Simmer Pot Gift Tags

This can be simmered on the stovetop in a small pot (small saucepan) or a large pot for an extra oomph of scent.

It can also be made in a small crock pot (the ones below are my new favorite!). I like to leave it on my buffet to simmer all day.

The crock pot is a nice option since you can plug one in anywhere, especially the smaller ones, making it a nice option not limited to the kitchen.

☃️Why You'll Love This Recipe

• It's a great way to add a seasonal scent to your home without burning expensive candles or running an essential oils diffuser.
• It's a great gift (like these hot cocoa ornaments!). This is perfect for neighbor gifts or to give to guests. The ingredients can be placed in cellophane bags or a mason jar. I have a free printable gift tags (scroll to the bottom of the post) that can be tied around the bag or jar making it an all in one gift!
• This can be started in the morning or early in the afternoon and by the time guests arrive your house will have a wonderful Christmas smell.
• Even if you're not entertaining this is an inexpensive and easy way to keep the smell going all through the holiday season.
• All the ingredients can be found at the grocery store.

🤶Simmer Pot Ingredients

• orange slices, orange peel
• lemon slices, lemon peels
• lime slices, lime peels
• *basically any citrus fruits sliced or their peels are an option!
• cinnamon sticks
• whole cloves
• bay leaves
• star anise *these impart a sweet, licorice scent and are so pretty to add to any simmer pot blends that you'll be giving as gifts
• rosemary sprigs
• fresh pine sprigs
• cranberries

Note that not all of the above ingredients are required. You can use a different combination and any or all of those listed. Customize it to suit your preference. As long as you don't use ground spices (which will make a huge mess and not emit the aroma you desire), you'll be fine.

🎁Instructions

Crockpot Method

• I use a small crockpot - slow cooker, for my simmering scents {potpourri}. I first add 4 cups of water to the pot, then layer the oranges, lemons, bay leaves and cinnamon topping it all off with the cloves.
• Add water as needed.
• You can use this same batch over and over allowing it to cool off first and then placing in the refrigerator to store for several days.

Stovetop Method

• Fill whichever size pot you'll be using approximately ¾ of the way full of water.
• Add ingredients.
• Heat over medium-high heat until everything comes to a low rolling boil.
• Reduce heat to the lowest setting possible and simmer.
• Check often and add water as necessary.

If you make homemade cranberry sauce or cranberry apple walnut bread, put a few cranberries aside for this potpourri recipe.

Simmer Pot Gift Tags

Click here to get these adorable Christmas Simmer Pot gift tags for free! Download, print, cut out and enjoy!