One of my favorite parts of the holiday season is how amazing the house always smells – the fresh Christmas tree, the baking holiday cookies and treats, cinnamon scented pine cones, and more. Another favorite scent in our house comes from fresh, homemade stovetop potpourri. Made with ingredients like fresh cranberries, oranges, and cinnamon sticks, this holiday stovetop potpourri recipe creates the perfect aroma for this time of year- sweet, cinnamon, and just exluding Christmas.
Often the word potpourri refers to a mixture of dried plant material that imparts a subtle scent to a room. This stovetop potpourri differs because it is much more fragrant and will impart lovely Christmas smells throughout the house. It is so quick and easy to make and then you just let it simmer on low while you host guests or curl up with a book. I hope you enjoy this recipe for stove top potpourri. You could also put it in a slow cooker for even longer-lasting, more worry-free home fragrance.
Easy Holiday Stovetop Potpourri Recipe
Stovetop potpourri, also known as simmer pot, is a simple way to make your home smell amazing using natural ingredients. Here’s a recipe for a classic holiday-inspired stovetop potpourri.
Simple Ingredients:
- Fresh Cranberries
- Fresh Orange Slices (or orange peel)
- Cinnamon Sticks
- Water
- Lemon Essential Oil
You will notice I did not provide precise quantities for the potpourri ingredients. This is because this recipe is not for eating- just smelling. Therefore, exact quantities are unimportant and you have the freedom to play around and customize it to how you like it. You can even customize the scent with ingredients like whole cloves, star anise, or fresh rosemary.
How To Make Stove Top Potpourri For Thanksgiving or Christmas Season:
Place the fresh cranberries, orange slices, and cinnamon sticks into a sauce pan and cover with at least 3 cups of water.
Add a few drops of lemon essential oil to the mixture. Place the pan on a stovetop burner on low heat and simmer throughout the day checking the water level on a regular basis. You can add more water to the pot if it begins to get low. If you are the forgetful type or you just have 1,001 distractions in your house, you may want to set a timer to check on it every 20 minutes and add water. Turn the pot of water off when your entire home is perfectly scented.
Or if you have a slow cooker, you can put the ingredients in there and check on it every few hours.
This lovely holiday Stovetop Potpourri Recipe fills the whole house with the scent of Christmas rather than just a small area like dried potpourri. It’s perfect for simmering all day or when you’re expecting company- that is why it is sometimes called simmering potpourri. This holiday stove top potpourri is also pretty in the pan as it simmers!
Here is a easy printable recipe card for this stovetop potpourri:
Holiday Stovetop Potpourri Recipe
Notes
Not a food recipe. Just for scent. Be sure to check on this every 20 minutes and add water so that the water does not evaporate below the fruit level.
Ingredients
- 1 bag of fresh cranberries (or about 2 cups)
- 2 oranges, sliced
- 4 cinnamon sticks
- 6 cups of water
- 5 drops of Lemon Essential Oil (optional)
Instructions
- Add all ingredients to pot.
- Place on stovetop burner over lowest heat setting.
- Allow to simmer for 20 minutes.
- Turn off. Or add 1/2 cup of water and allow to simmer for another 20 minutes until desired scent is reached.
Conclusion
Incorporating stovetop potpourri into your home routine offers numerous benefits. Not only does it create a warm and inviting atmosphere with natural, non-toxic scents, but it also provides a sustainable way to repurpose kitchen scraps like citrus peels and herbs. Beyond its delightful Christmas aroma, a simmer pot fosters a sense of calm and relaxation, making it perfect for elevating your mood or enhancing seasonal celebrations. Easy to customize and cost-effective, stovetop potpourri is a simple yet impactful way to enrich your living space while embracing natural elements this winter.
You can add other fresh ingredients to your homemade potpourri such as apple slices, whole spices, or herbs. It is a great way to make the great way whole house smell like the holidays. Have you ever made a stovetop potpourri? Do you think you will try making this holiday stovetop potpourri recipe? What are your favorite holiday scents?
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Pam says
This smells great. Cranberry and citrus together is just the essence of the holidays. Perfect warm smells for cold winter weather.
Jeanine says
Oh this sounds awesome. I can’t really have artificial scents in my home due to our parrot so this would be a really great, and healthy option for our house! Like a natural air freshener for the entire house.
Scott says
I have to admit this Christmas stovetop potpourri is great just to get the house smelling nice. Especially during the winter months when we’re all cooped up.
Shaun says
With family coming over this Christmas, this will be on the “must have” list. We’ll be able to cover up that dog smell from my in-law’s klab with the wonderful aroma of scents of the season.
Lucy says
This stove top holiday potpourri simmer pot sounds amazing! Perfect for creating a cozy, festive atmosphere at home.
Rose says
This holiday potpourri sounds like the perfect way to fill your home with festive scents! I love how easy it is to make, and it’s a great way to bring in the cozy, seasonal atmosphere. Can’t wait to try it!
Eudyam says
This stovetop potpourri recipe filled my home with cozy holiday vibes! The blend of spices, citrus, and seasonal aromas creates a warm and inviting atmosphere that’s ideal for festive gatherings or quiet winter evenings. It’s a simple yet magical touch to enhance your holiday season. Thanks.
Tiny Footprint says
This stovetop potpourri recipe sounds absolutely delightful! There’s nothing better than walking into a home filled with cozy, festive scents during the holiday season. I love how simple yet intentional this recipe is, using natural ingredients like cranberries, oranges, and cinnamon sticks to create that quintessential Christmas atmosphere. Thank you for sharing this – I can’t wait to try it and make my home smell like the holidays!
Nick says
I love the idea of using stovetop potpourri to fill the house with natural holiday scents! This recipe sounds so simple and festive—I can’t wait to try it with cranberries and oranges for that perfect Christmas aroma!