A simple pot on the stove, a handful of fresh citrus, cranberries, and warm spices, and within minutes your entire house will smell like Christmas.
This Christmas simmer pot doesn’t rely on anything artificial. It’s the kind of unmistakably holiday smell you get when something’s quietly simmering in the kitchen— warm, fresh, and comforting.
Ingredients I Use For Christmas Potpourri:
Please note, this is not a drinkable recipe and is to be used as potpourri only.
How I Make It (And How Long I Let It Simmer)
I start everything together in a large pot over low heat. There’s no need to boil aggressively — gentle heat is what releases fragrance without scorching the spices.
You can bring the potpourri to a boil, but be sure to turn the heat down as soon as it reaches this point.
Once it’s warmed through, I keep it on the stove for hours, topping up with water as needed. If I’m home all day, I’ll let it simmer on and off from morning until evening.
A few things I’ve learned from making this repeatedly:
- If the scent feels weak at first, give it time — citrus and cranberries need heat to open up.
- Low heat produces a cleaner, more pleasant aroma than frequent boiling.
- Crushing the cinnamon sticks into large pieces (not powder) makes a noticeable difference.
OUR RECIPE DEVELOPER SAYS
This simmer pot works just as well in a slow cooker, which is especially helpful during the holidays when the stovetop is already in use.
I add everything to the slow cooker, cover with water, and cook on LOW. Make sure you still check the water level occasionally.
Can You Reuse a Simmer Pot?
Yes — and I do. I’ll often use the same batch for 2–3 days, adding fresh water each time. Once the citrus breaks down too much or the scent fades noticeably, that’s when I discard it.
If you want to extend it slightly, you can add:
- A fresh slice of orange
- A new cinnamon stick
- A small sprig of rosemary
That refreshes the aroma without starting over completely.
Drying the Ingredients After (Optional, But Pretty)
If you like the look of dried cranberries and citrus, you can absolutely dry the ingredients after simmering.
Remove the solids, spread them on a baking sheet, and bake at 150°F for about 30 minutes, flipping once if needed. They won’t be perfectly uniform, but they make lovely bowl fillers or decorative jar fillers for the season.
If you need a simple, thoughtful homemade Christmas gift — this simmer pot is perfect. It looks beautiful layered in a jar or clear bag, it’s inexpensive to put together, and once it hits the stovetop the scent fills a home faster than any candle ever could.
More Homemade Christmas Gifts
Stovetop Potpourri
Ingredients
- 1 large orange, sliced
- 3 cinnamon sticks, crushed into large pieces
- 12 ounces fresh cranberries (1½ cups)
- ½ tablespoon whole cloves
- ¼ teaspoon apple pie spice
- 3 sprigs fresh rosemary
- 8 cups water
Instructions
- Slice the orange into thick slices and crush the cinnamon into large pieces.
- In a large pot over low heat on the stovetop, add all of the ingredients. Stir to combine.
- Let simmer on low for as long as you’d like. Add more water to the pot as the water level drops.
Video
Notes
- Please note, this is not a drinkable recipe and is to be used as potpourri only.
- This stovetop potpourri recipe can also be made in the slow cooker. Simply cook on low for as long as you’d like, adding water as the level drops.
- You can bring the potpourri to a boil, but be sure to turn the heat down as soon as it reaches this point. Let simmer for as long as you’d like to release the scent of the ingredients.
- If you wish to dry some of your potpourri ingredients, such as the cranberries, orange slices, or apples (if included), remove them from the mixture and place them on a baking sheet. Bake at 150°F for about 30 minutes.
Nutrition
Comments
Gloria says
I love this smell – it makes the whole house smell like Christmas! Reminds me of being little at my mom and dad’s house. My mom always did this every year.
Melissa says
My mom used to make this same potpourri when we were growing up and i loved helping her because when we were done making it we’d smell just like it. I love the citrus, spice and everything nice about this potpourri blend. This is very Christmastime and i love it even in the spring, summer, and especially fall/winter but it brings Christmas vibes even in the summer and spring. Everyone needs to have this recipe as far as im concerned. ENJOY!
Adrienne says
Love it!❤️Adrienne