How to Make Your Own Christmas Potpourri Recipe - The How-To Home (2024)

ByMary Beth Sharkey

16 Comments

Your home will smell amazing with this heavenly homemade Christmas potpourri that can be simmered on the stovetop or placed in a small crockpot / slow cooker.

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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 aromas of this season is by simmering this simple Christmas Potpourri Recipe.

How to Make Your Own Christmas Potpourri Recipe - The How-To Home (1)

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.

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*This post may contain affiliate links and I’ll earn a commission if you shop through them. You can read my full disclosure here.

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

How to Make Your Own Christmas Potpourri Recipe - The How-To Home (3)

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

How to Make Your Own Christmas Potpourri Recipe - The How-To Home (4)

Small 2 Quart Slow Cooker

Great for dips and appetizers and for creating an amazing natural aroma in your home with a DIY simmering potpourri (details and recipe here).

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01/13/2024 12:19 am GMT

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

How to Make Your Own Christmas Potpourri Recipe - The How-To Home (5)
  • 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.

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1 Quart Glass Saucepan, Simmer Pot With Lid,

$39.99

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01/13/2024 12:09 am GMT

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83oz Glass Clear Saucepan with Lid

$43.99$37.99

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01/13/2024 12:56 pm GMT

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US Stove Company Red Lattice Steamer

$65.10

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01/13/2024 12:12 am GMT

🎁Instructions

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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

How to Make Your Own Christmas Potpourri Recipe - The How-To Home (10)

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

Christmas Simmer Pot Recipes

Your home will smell amazing with this heavenly homemade Christmas potpourri that can be simmered on the stovetop or placed in a small crockpot / slow cooker.

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How to Make Your Own Christmas Potpourri Recipe - The How-To Home (11)

Prep Time:10 minutes mins

Total Time:10 minutes mins

Equipment

  • Simmering Pot or Saucepan

Supplies

  • 1 orange slices, peel as well
  • 1 lemon sliced, peel as well
  • 4 cinnamon sticks
  • 1 tablespoon whole cloves
  • 4 bay leaves
  • cranberries

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

  • 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.

Notes

The ingredients listed are the very basics but any of the ingredients below can be added as well! This can be as simple or as fancy as you desire. You're the boss.

  • 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

As with any of my recipes, calorie counts and nutritional information varies greatly depending on which products you choose to use when cooking this dish.

Calories:

Author: Mary Beth

Cost: $3.00 to $6.00

How to Make Your Own Christmas Potpourri Recipe - The How-To Home (12)
How to Make Your Own Christmas Potpourri Recipe - The How-To Home (13)

Mary Beth Sharkey

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Mary Beth is a wife, mother to three sons, and a clean freak. She aspires to help others create a happy organized home, and a cozy living space and shares easy recipes, DIYs, and home improvements for busy families.

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