There’s nothing that Decks the Halls quite like smelling holiday and winter scents….pine, cranberry, citrus, cinnamon and everything cozy. Create a festive holiday atmosphere in your home with this effortless Christmas Simmering Pot.
Break out your saucepan or slow cooker to make your own Christmas Potpourri. As the ingredients gently simmer a captivating fragrance is released, perfect for enhancing the mood of your holiday and winter celebrations.
Why You’ll Love This Potpourri Pot
- Create a natural holiday fragrance for your home using spiced cranberry-orange aroma, perfect for evoking a festive atmosphere.
- This DIY Christmas Simmering Pot aroma is not only easy and quick to make with basic ingredients, but it also allows for customization to suit your preferred scents.
- This method offers a safe, non-toxic alternative to traditional scented candles, making your home smell like your favorite Christmas fragrance.
- Making a Christmas Simmering Pot is a quick, easy and inexpensive holiday craft idea for the kiddos to partake in.
Here’s my preferred mix, as I usually have everything on hand from making Mulled Wine and Coquito, but keep reading for more ideas!
Ingredients
The best thing about this Christmas Simmering Pot is the flexibility of it. Have apples leftover from making apple recipes? Dice them up and throw them in. Have stray pine needles from dragging in your Christmas Tree? Pick up those bad boys and throw them in too.
- Cranberries (Fresh or Frozen)
- Orange Slices (Fresh or Dried)
- Cinnamon Sticks (Or Ground Cinnamon)
- Whole Cloves – (Or Ground Cloves)
- Whole Star Anise
- Ground Nutmeg
- Rosemary (Fresh or Dried)
- Water
How to Make A Christmas Simmering Pot
There are two ways to make this – in the crockpot or on the stovetop. I prefer using the crockpot, so the stovetop stays open for other recipes, and there isn’t a live flame.
Crockpot Potpourri
Here’s how to make potpourri in a slow cooker:
- Fill a large crockpot 3/4 full with water and turn on high heat.
- Add all of the potpourri ingredients and place the lid on the top.
- Once brought to temp, remove the lid and turn the heat to low. Add water as needed.
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Stovetop Potpourri
Here’s how to make potpourri on the stove top.
- Fill a large saucepan 3/4 full with water.
- Add all of the potpourri ingredients
- Stir and bring to a gentle simmer. Add water as needed.
Make sure to keep tabs on the Christmas stovetop pot should you decide to use the stovetop.
More Scents To Choose From
In addition to what’s listed above, here are some more Christmas Simmering Pot scent options:
- Apple Cider or Apple Juice
- Apple Slices or Peels
- Pine Needles
- Vanilla Extract or Vanilla Beans
- Essential Oils – a little goes a long way.
- Dried Lavender
- Fresh or Dried Herbs – rosemary, thyme, sage, mint, and bay leaves.
- Dried or Fresh Spices – cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves, cardamon, star anise, allspice, ginger and pumpkin pie spice.
- Citrus fruits – fresh or dried slices of oranges, limes, lemons, grapefruit
Frequently Asked Questions
How long will the simmer pot last? The duration of a simmer pot’s fragrance varies depending on whether you use fresh or dried ingredients, as well as the amount of liquid in your pot. Generally, the aroma can be enjoyed for 2-3 days.
What should I do with the used ingredients Don’t put the solid ingredients down the garbage disposal. Strain them out and dump them in the trash, while the water can go down the drain.
Check out all of our Christmas Recipes and Christmas Party Themes while you’re here!!
This Christmas Simmering Pot recipe was originally posted in November 2015, but has been updated with new photos and additional text.
Stovetop Christmas Simmer Pot
Ingredients
- 4 cup Water
- 2 Oranges (Sliced)
- 1 cup Cranberries
- 1 Medium Apple (Sliced)
- 2 Cinnamon Sticks
- 1 tsp Ground Cloves
- Optional: star anise (apples, pears, pine needles, vanilla, ginger and more.)
Instructions
- Stovetop- Add all of the ingredients to a 2 qt. saucepan and heat over low heat until simmering. Add additional water as needed.
- Slow Cooker – Add all of the ingredients to your slow cooker and turn it on high heat. Add additional water as needed.