Stovetop Potpourri (Holiday Scented Simmer Pots)

Ready to get in the Christmas spirit? This stovetop potpourri will fill your home with the warm scents of citrus, cinnamon, and berries. It takes just minutes to put this simmer pot together and will give you hours of holiday fragrance!

If you are here for Christmas party ideas, then check out this Christmas charcuterie wreath appetizer. It is just as lovely as it is tasty. Another way to make your house smell amazing for Christmas is to make glowing winter luminaries. They dress up your mantle and have an amazing aroma too.

Here’s a delightful and easy way to scent your home this fall and winter. This stovetop potpourri will fill it with a warm, cozy fragrance…naturally!

Forget about holiday candles that give you a headache and don’t even smell that great. When you simmer this stovetop potpourri, you will fill your entire home with warm, inviting aromas from real herbs and spices.

This scent is just strong enough to be noticeable but not so much that it overpowers you as you walk into the room. It’s the perfect backdrop for holiday parties and curling up to watch a holiday movie.

Plus, you won’t believe how easy this is to make. It’s easier and cheaper than candles, so what are you waiting for? Let’s make some stovetop potpourri.

How to Prep for Easy Stovetop Potpourri

The very first step is to slice all the ingredients so that they fit in the pot. There isn’t a right or wrong way to slice your apples and oranges. Since they will be simmering in the pot of water, they just need to fit.

I like to slice mine evenly and thinly. I think it makes the potpourri look more decorative as it simmers when all the slices are uniform.

The Best Types of Fruit For A Simmer Pot

Since you aren’t going to eat this, the type of fruit isn’t important. Just use any variety of apples and oranges that you have in your kitchen.

After you put them in your saucepan, top them with cinnamon sticks, nutmeg, and cloves.

If you don’t have cinnamon sticks, you can just sprinkle some cinnamon on top. The cinnamon sticks may last longer and have more scent, so they are better for the simmering pot.

How Much Spice To Add To A Holiday Simmer Pot

There isn’t an exact amount that you have to stick to. If you want it to have a bit more of a spicy scent, use more cloves. If you prefer stronger sweet notes to come through, add more apples and oranges.

The fun part is customizing it to your exact preferences. I share my exact recipe in the video and directions at the bottom of this post, but it’s totally up to you as to how much and which ingredients to use.

Use Real Vanilla In Stovetop Potpourri

Trust me, real vanilla extract has a stronger scent than imitation vanilla. You only need about a teaspoon of it, so invest in the good stuff.

Optional Things To Add To Stovetop Potpourri

Here are a few other things you can add to your potpourri:

• Star anise
• Cardamom pods
• Whole cranberries
• Fresh rosemary sprig

Then, all you need to do is to add water to your pot and simmer away!

Once you have all the ingredients added, simmer away! I keep my pot at a medium low heat. If it starts to boil, you’ll want to turn the heat down slightly. Enjoy as the wonderful scents of the holidays fill your room!

How to Make Simmer Pots: Recipe

Ingredients:

1 apple, sliced

1 orange, sliced

2 Cinnamon sticks

1 tsp. Nutmeg

1TB cloves

1 tsp. Vanilla extract

water

Optional Ingredients:

Star anise

Cardamom pods

Whole cranberries

Fresh rosemary sprig

Directions:

1. Place all ingredients in a saucepan and cover with water.
2. Bring water to a boil, then reduce heat to simmer.
3. Do not let the water run dry, always make sure there’s water covering the ingredients. Add more water as needed. Set a timer as a reminder so you don’t let it run dry.
4. Enjoy the cozy seasonal scent as it fills your kitchen and home!

How to Make Simmer Pots: Video

That’s it! You are going to love how this DIY stovetop potpourri makes your entire kitchen and house smell. It’s like heating up a saucepan of Christmas cheer!

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