How to Make Your Own Christmas Potpourri
How to Make Your House Smell Like the Holidays with Slow Cooker Christmas Potpourri
I love almost everything about the holidays including the scents and this Christmas Potpourri is easy to make, budget-friendly, and smells amazing!
When there's a chill in the air and the first thing you or guests smell is that unforgettable holiday scent 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 simmering potpourri.
This can be simmered on the stovetop but I prefer to place it in a small slow cooker (the ones below are my new favorite!) and leave it on a countertop to simmer all day.
Great for dips and appetizers and for creating an amazing natural aroma in your home with a DIY simmering potpourri (details and recipe here).
{I love my slow cookers and the easier the recipe the better - you can find more slow cooker recipes right here}
Start it in the morning or early in the afternoon and by the time guests arrive your house will smell just like the holidays.
Even if you're not entertaining this is an inexpensive and easy way to keep the smell going all through the holiday season.
Christmas Potpourri Recipe
Ingredients:
1 orange, sliced
1 lemon, sliced
1 tablespoon whole cloves
Directions:
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.
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.
If you would prefer to make it on the stove top that is another option; keep it at a simmer and check the water occasionally adding more as needed.
I didn't add cranberries to this the first time I made it but they can be easily added so that your potpourri pops with color!
If you make homemade cranberry sauce or cranberry apple walnut bread, put a few cranberries aside for this potpourri recipe.
How to Make Simmering Christmas Potpourri
Equipment
Ingredients
- 1 orange sliced
- 1 lemon sliced
- 4 cinnamon sticks
- 1 tablespoon whole cloves
- 4 bay leaves
Instructions
- 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.
- Turn on low setting. Check occasionally and add water as needed.
Notes
- I didn't add cranberries to this the first time I made it but they can be easily added so that your potpourri pops with color!
- 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.
- If you would prefer to make it on the stove top that is another option; keep it at a simmer and check the water occasionally adding more as needed.
I love this, Mary Beth! I am not a huge fan of scented candles or sprays...too many chemicals! I usually simmer cinnamon sticks, but have never made an entire potpourri! Great idea! 🙂
Oooh, I bet that smells heavenly! Thanks for sharing Mary Beth.
Om, my! I can smell this now! I have one of those small crock-pots! I plan to do this over the weekend as I start to deck the halls! ~Christy
This must smell amazing! Cannot wait to do this!
Pinning!
I never thought to do this with a crock pot! I love that idea - so much simpler than checking a pot on the stove. Thanks for sharing the recipe!
Mary Beth…what a great scent! Love it. Your photos are very pin worthy and I shall be doing so!
Thank you SO MUCH, Kelly! 🙂
I once went to a historic plantation (in NC) during the holidays and they decorated with oranges studded with cloves. I imagine it gives a similar sent though simmering the spices would be much stronger. Sounds lovely.
When I was growing up my Mother would keep a bowl of studded oranges in the dining room ~ you brought back some good memories. Thanks so much for stopping by, Joybee!
I would never have thought to use the crockpot for simmering house scents! And I bet this smells amazing. My name is Katie and I host Fall Into the Holidays. All entries get pinned. I would love to have you link up! This week’s round is still open!
Just linked up, Katie ~ thanks so much for the invite. 🙂
Love the idea of using natural scents at home! I'm trying this one! 🙂
Thanks so much, Christina!
Love this Mary Beth! featuring you tonight and you're our weekly ad space winner! woot woot!
Thank you so much, Jocie!!!