You need this Christmas Simmer Pot in your life. This simmering pot recipe will make your whole house smell like a Christmas wonderland! It’s easy, takes no time, and is a chemical-free way to scent your home. 
Do you love the holiday season vibes as much as I do? It’s the time of year when I get extra excited over Christmas tree decorations, menu planning, and dreaming up gorgeous tablescapes for the big Christmas dinner. Anyone else find it all so fun? (And sometimes overwhelming?)
But there’s one more thing that truly sets the mood for me – the smell of a Christmas simmer pot.
Oh, that cozy, warm aroma! Love it.
I actually grew up with my mom scenting our home with simmer pots and it’s such an easy and natural way to create the smells of any season.
If you’re done with scented candles and are looking for a natural way to make your home smell irresistibly fresh, you have to try this stovetop Christmas potpourri!
Why You’ll Love This Christmas Simmer Pot
I mean, it’s scent. Natural scent! What’s not to love?
But if you’re having second thoughts, check out the reasons why this recipe is a MUST.
Easy Peasy – Dump and simmer! That’s all it takes to make your entire house smell Christmas-y. Simply toss all the ingredients in a pot with water and let it simmer away.
Fun to Tweak – Get creative all you want. The beauty of this recipe is that it makes every ingredient work! Add whatever extras you have, leave out what you don’t. Add more of your favorite scented ingredient to make it more dominant.
Inexpensive – Scented candles and air fresheners can be really pricey, especially if you use them every day. A simmer pot is an inexpensive way to give your home the perfect holiday scent. Also, you can use the simmer pot ingredients for days, not just once. Just store it in your fridge overnight and keep adding more water as needed.
Made with Natural Ingredients – No artificial scents, no chemicals. Just simple, fresh ingredients.
Ingredients for Easy Christmas Stovetop Potpourri
Water – Use fresh water as the base. You can always replace it with apple cider or cranberry juice if you want. Just make sure there’s always enough water to keep the ingredients from burning. Add more as needed as it simmers and water evaporates.
Orange Slices – Beautiful color and a delicious citrusy scent – this is a favorite ingredient in the recipe.
Fresh Cranberries – These tiny gems brighten up the simmering pot blend with their bright red color and tart scent. Although I often prefer fresh ingredients, frozen cranberries work just fine here.
Rosemary Sprigs – Add some herb magic. Rosemary has a nice woody scent that’ll balance the other fruity ones. It’s a bonus that simmering rosemary cleanses the air!
Fresh Evergreen branches – Get that fresh Christmas tree scent with whatever evergreen branches you can get your hands on. I have some I’m able to cut from in our yard, but you can also pull some pine needles from your live Christmas tree if you have one. Or stop by your local garden store and buy some fresh evergreens! It’s worth it for the lovely Christmas scent they provide, but this is great without them as well so don’t stress if you don’t have fresh evergreens on hand.
Cinnamon Sticks – Here’s the star ingredient! Cinnamon’s vanilla-like warm scent is an absolute winner! There are also subtle peppery and fruity notes – amazing!
Whole Cloves – Warm and woodsy, whole cloves are an excellent addition to this potpourri recipe. Feel free to switch with ground cloves if needed.
Allspice Berries – You can always use ground spices like allspice instead of whole berries.
Star Anise – A beautifully shaped spice with a distinct licorice-like scent that adds another layer of fragrance to the pot.
Check out the printable recipe card at the bottom to know how much of what you need to add!
Variations That Work
- Swap the pot of water for apple cider or cranberry juice.
- Add vanilla extract for an extra warm, comforting scent. Even essential oils make a good addition.
- Experiment with a different combination of ingredients like cardamom pods, nutmeg, ginger slices, and bay leaves.
- For a more prominent citrusy scent, add fresh lemon slices. You can also add any other fresh fruit of the same family. Think grapefruit, clementines, or tangerines.
- Pop in some juniper berries for a more woodsy aroma.
- Add some peppermint candies or extract for a festive touch.
Tips for Gifting Christmas Simmer Pot
The love for the Christmas smell is universal. And so this makes a perfect gift for neighbors, friends, and family. You can also gift it as holiday party favors.
Since it’s homemade with love, there’s a unique charm to it.
Now, the big question: how can you present this thoughtful gift in festive ways?
I have some cool ideas:
- Handpick the ingredients of your choice and pack them in cellophane bags. Tie a festive ribbon on top and attach free printable tags with the names of guests.
- You can also use a mason jar or any other little jar to pack the ingredients. Add a handmade label and wrap some twine around the jar.
- Another great idea is to put all the ingredients in a decorative pot or bowl, add some pinecones, and tie a ribbon on the handle! Voila!
Just remember to use dry ingredients or those that have a longer shelf life. If you’re using citrus fruits, mention that the potpourri needs to be used within a day or two.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I Make This in a Slow Cooker?
You absolutely can! Use the same ingredients, follow the same instructions for the water level, and set the slow cooker to low heat. You don’t need to cover it!
For How Long Will This Stove Top Potpourri Last?
It depends on how well you keep up with the water level. I often turn the heat off after a few hours and then turn it back on when I want to enjoy the scent again. You can also store the ingredients in the fridge and reuse them a number of times until the ingredients lose their scent.
Are There Any Benefits of This Simmer Pot?
Why do you think I like it? It’s a great way to use leftover food scraps. You can use orange peel, cinnamon, and even apple cores to make this recipe. Plus, it’s eco-friendly, chemical-free, and budget-friendly!
If you’re into natural living, you’ll probably love my Upcycled Gift Wrapping Ideas, too. For a natural way to eliminate perfumes and have a natural body spray, see my recipe for DIY Body Spray with Essential Oils!
If you make this Christmas Simmer Pot, or any Happy Healthy Mama recipe or natural living idea, I would LOVE to see it! Please take a pic and share it on Instagram or the Happy Healthy Mama Facebook page and tag me @happyhealthymama and use the hashtag #happyhealthymamarecipes to be featured.
Also, if you try it, would you mind rating the recipe? It’s VERY helpful for me and other readers if the recipes have ratings and reviews. I appreciate you!
Print
Christmas Simmer Pot Recipe
- Total Time: 2 hours 5 minutes
- Yield: 1 pot 1x
Description
Totally natural and highly customizable, this Christmas Simmer Pot will make your house smell amazing!
Ingredients
- Enough water to fill a medium-large pot 1/2-3/4 way full
- 1 orange, sliced
- 1 cup fresh or frozen cranberries
- 2 rosemary sprigs
- 2 fresh pine sprigs
- 4 cinnamon sticks
- 2 tablespoons whole cloves
- 1 tablespoon allspice berries
- 4 fresh star anise
Instructions
- Place all ingredients in a pot and simmer on low.
- Add more water as necessary to prevent the water from getting too low.
Notes
- Ingredients can be reused for several days. Store in the refrigerator when not using.
- This can be adapted for a slow cooker. Set it on low for as long as you’d like and leave it
uncovered.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 2 hours
- Category: household
- Method: simmer
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 pot
- Calories: 0
I’m craving the Christmas spirit! Just two more months, and we’ll be celebrating Christmas again, and then it’s on to the New Year!