One thing I love about fall and winter is the smells that we associate with them. For fall, I associate cinnamon, star anise, nutmeg, and apple; in winter, I associate mint, orange, clove, cinnamon, and cranberry. I love the way my home smells this time of year more than any other (unless I am using my diffuser!).
My favorite way to infuse my favorite scents into my home is with a Holiday Simmer Pot.
I totally get that you may think, hey I can go buy a house spray, or plugin to come to the same effect, less time and work. But, the beauty of the Fall Simmer Pot is that there are no chemicals in it, so you and your family are not breathing in potentially harmful chemicals. Plus it is waaaay more cost-effective than using those expensive candles you get at the store that barely lasts a week.
What is even better, it can even be made into a hot drink! Literally, like tea, you can add honey, agave, or even a small bit of simple syrup too! It will become your favorite thing to simmer and sip in your home!!
Another wonderful use for this simmer pot is to give it as a gift. I take all the ingredients (except for the water) and add them to a Mason Jar or other adorable jar. Add a tag with directions on use and viola, and you have a simple, classic, and inexpensive gift for friends, neighbors, and family alike.
Holiday Simmer Pot – DIY Gift Idea
Supplies
- 2 Cinnamon Sticks
- 1/2 cup cranberries
- 1 Tablespoon Whole Cloves
- 2 – 3 Star Anise
- 1 Whole Orange (optional)
- Glass Mason Jar (8 ounces is preferred, unless you double the recipe, then use a 16 ounce)
- Directions / Tag
- Ribbon
- Scissors
- Pen / Pencil
- Festive Paper
LOOKING FOR THE FREE PRINTABLE? ——-> DIY Simmer Pot Gift Jar – Printable
Directions
Step 1:
Add 2 cinnamon sticks, one tablespoon of whole cloves, and 2 – 3 whole star anise. Follow that up with about 1/2 cup of fresh cranberries.
Step 2:
Take festive paper. It can be card stock (like shown below), wrapping paper, or the lid toppers provided in the printable. Cut out a circle using the lid as a guide.
Step 3:
Place the lid on the jar like so.
Step 4:
This step is optional. You can tie the orange with ribbon on top of the jar. Make sure to secure the orange with tape beforehand. If you do not like the way that looks the orange and jar can be placed in a gift bag along with the printable directions to give to the recipient.
LOOKING FOR THE FREE PRINTABLE? ——-> DIY Simmer Pot Gift Jar – Printable
The other option is to leave the jar without the orange. As shown below. Then just print the easy-to-follow directions and your gift is all set!!
LOOKING FOR THE FREE PRINTABLE? ——-> DIY Simmer Pot Gift Jar – Printable
Holiday Simmer Pot – Make at Home
Ingredients
- 8 cups of Water (add more as the water boils off)
- 1 whole orange, sliced thin
- 2 cinnamon sticks
- 1/2 cup cranberries
- 1 Tablespoon whole cloves
- 2 Star Anise
Supplies
- Enamel Dutch Oven at least 3.5 Quarts or other large pot for the stove OR use your crockpot open and on low
- knife to slice
- Spoon to stir
- Measuring spoon
- Mason Jar to Hold supplies (I used this jar)
- Tag for gift giving
- Directions Sheet
Directions
Step 1:
Turn on the heat on high on your stove – medium / high on your stove or medium on your crockpot. Tip: if you want to keep it running all day but save money doing it. Use the little dipper crockpot! it is smaller so you have to fill it up with water more often, but it will save a ton on your gas/electricity bill
Step 2:
Fill your dutch oven or crockpot halfway with water, about 8 cups. If you are using the little dipper, you should only put 1 – 2 cups of water in it.
Step 3:
Stir in your spices – cinnamon stick, whole cloves, and star anise
Step 4:
Measure 1/2 of a cup of cranberries and add to the pot
Step 5:
Slice the orange thinly and place the slices into the pot. If you do not have the orange left. That is OK. You can use the peels. Like in my photo below.
Step 6:
Bring to a boil then turn down the heat to low and allow to simmer. Make sure to check on the pot every hour or so to refill it with water. If you are using a smaller pot, you should check it more frequently.
Are you looking to save this to make it later? PIN IT!!!!
