Christmas Simmer Pot Recipe: Potpourri for a Cozy Holiday

This cozy Christmas simmer pot recipe, made with cranberries, citrus, and warming spices, fills your home with the comforting scent of Christmas.

Try this DIY Christmas stovetop potpourri with fruits, spices, and pine clippings for a simple, natural way to create a cozy holiday atmosphere.

Instead of reaching for Christmas-scented candles that often contain petroleum-based ingredients, try this healthier, budget-friendly alternative. Besides Christmas smell, this simple Christmas simmer pot will make beautiful Christmas decor for several days and make your home smell like Christmas.

You can also opt for dried ingredients beautifully packaged for an easy DIY stovetop potpourri. It also makes a wonderful DIY herbal gift idea.

For years, we’ve ditched store-bought gifts and create our own—and it’s so much more meaningful! If you’re ready to add a personal touch to your holiday gifts, I’ve got plenty of inspiring ideas on my website. From festive Christmas jams and liqueurs to nourishing shampoo bars for hair growth, anti-wrinkle creams, and luxurious bath bombs.

What is Christmas stovetop Potpourri?

This holiday simmer pot is a simple way to infuse your home with the festive scents of the Christmas season. It involves simmering a mixture of aromatic ingredients, such as spices, citrus peels, and seasonal fruits, in water. As it warms up, it fills your home with natural, festive scents of cinnamon, oranges or clove.

You can use a traditional simmer pot that you buy at the store, a crockpot, or simply make it on the stove on low heat.

Why you will love this recipe?

Budget Friendly – You can use leftover fruits, herbs, and spices you already have at home or easily available during Christmas.

Eco-friendly – Unlike many commercial candles and air fresheners, simmer pots use natural ingredients to make your space feel cozy and inviting for the holidays. I love it because when I’m done with the simmer pot, I simply strain off the water and compost the ingredients.

Easy to customize – with your favorite seasonal ingredients, and even make it as a thoughtful DIY potpourri gift!

Simmer Pot Ingredients that smell like Christmas.

You can use both dried or fresh ingredients to make your whole house smell like Christmas.

Fruits

Fresh Cranberries or frozen cranberries.

Citruses – you can use orange slices or just orange zest. Other citruses like clementines or grapefruits are also great.

Spices

you can use ground all whole Christmas spices

• Cinnamon Sticks – A warm, sweet-spicy aroma 
• Ginger 
• Nutmeg 
• Allspice berries
• Whole Cloves 

Other Ingredients

Ginger

Green conifers – pines or spruce. You can use fresh Christmas tree brunches for a Christmas tree scent or rosemary sprigs.

liquid

you can use water or if you want to add a little extra aroma and depth, you can consider using apple cider instead.

How to make Christmas Simmer Pot

First step: Prepare the ingredients

Slice the oranges, or zest them,  skin add a lovely fragrance to your simmer pot.

Second step: Toss all the ingredients in a pot

In a large pot or slow cooker, combine all the fresh and dried ingredients. Pour in the water or apple cider until the pot is filled about two-thirds full.

If you have a crockpot, this will make the process even simpler. However, a stovetop potpourri pot works just as well. 

For a Crockpot: Fill the pot with water until it’s about two-thirds full. Place all your ingredients, including the sliced oranges, fresh cranberries and conifers. Sprinkle the spices evenly over the ingredients.

For a Stovetop Potpourri Pot: Follow the same steps as above but use a stovetop potpourri pot or Dutch oven instead of a crockpot. You’ll need to monitor regularly and add more water as needed. 

Third step: Set the temperature

Turn the heat on the stove up to bring the pot of water to a boil, then reduce and simmer over low heat. Keep an eye on it and add more water as needed, typically every 30 minutes.

Crockpot: Set your crockpot to low heat. As the ingredients heat up, a delightful aroma will begin to fill your home.

Stovetop Pot: Position your stovetop potpourri pot on the stove and turn the burner to the lowest heat setting to allow it to simmer. You can also use a simmer plate to maintain the desired low temperature.

Fourth step: Enjoy the Christmas scent

As your simmering potpourri heats up, the smells of Christmas fill your home. The blend of fruits and spices produces a captivating aroma that will make your home feel cozy and inviting. Let it simmer all day for a captivating fragrance throughout the house!

How to Make Christmas Simmer Pot Gift Bag + Free Printable gift tags

This Easy Christmas potpourri  makes a great Christmas gift

• For best results, se dried cranberries, dried orange slices and whole spices 
• Place the ingredients in a clear cellophane bag, mason jar or gift box and decorate with a festive bow or pretty twine.
• You can use these free printable gift tags and simmering instructions or recipe card for an extra thoughtful touch.

Easy Christmas Inspiration & Variations

Pears and Apples
You can make a simmer pot with pears and apples, which brings a sweet, cozy scent. Though they’re popular in fall simmer pots, feel free to add them if you have extra.

Vanilla Beans
Vanilla beans add a soft, sweet aroma that goes well with holiday spices. Just slice a bean lengthwise and add it to the pot.

Dried Lavender
A little dried lavender make your house smell fresh and floral. Just a small handful will fill your home with a calming scent.

How Long Will this Easy Christmas Simmer Pot Last?

The longevity of your simmer pot depends on the ingredients—whether they’re fresh or dried—and the amount of liquid in your pot. Generally, you can enjoy its scent for 2–3 days by simmering it for a few hours each day. After turning off the heat, cover the pot once the steam stops, and let it sit on the stovetop until the next use, adding fresh water as needed.

For a longer-lasting simmer pot, allow it to cool for up to 7 days and store it in the refrigerator between uses. Just add fresh water and ingredients as necessary.

Can you drink this easy DIY simmer pot?

his recipe is meant to fill your home with natural fragrance, not for sipping. However, as long as you use only food-safe ingredients, you could drink the liquid from a simmer pot. If you plan to make it drinkable, we suggest using apple juice or cider as the base and adding ingredients that create a pleasant flavor, similar to a homemade simmering apple cider. For best taste, enjoy it during the first use.