I am a huge fan of aromatic experiences, so it should be no surprise to you that one of my favorite, natural ways to make our home smell amazing is to simmer stovetop potpourri.
What is potpourri?
According to Miriam-Webster, potpourri is a mixture of flowers, herbs, and spices that is usually kept in a jar and used for scent. In this recipe though, I’m skipping the dry stuff and going for the fresh ingredients.
Store-bought potpourri is available at many home goods stores, but the potpourri I enjoy making the most comes party from our yard and includes grocery store ingredients.
When the fall approaches, I always make sure to have ingredients like star anise, cloves and cinnamon on hand. They come in handy for recipes and make the best seasonal garnishes. They also make great additions to a stovetop potpourri simmer.
This year, I also added dried flowers like chamomile and hibiscus to my supply of seasonal ingredients.
Stovetop potpourri — a natural and effective way to fill your home with aromas
If I had to choose a season whose scents I enjoy the most, I’d have to say winter. Earthy, “warm” scents like citrus, pine, winter berries, herbs, cinnamon, clove….ugh I just love it all.
For the better part of my adult life, I’ve been on the hunt for cleaner, natural products that give our home a warm, inviting scent. I used to be about that Bath & Body Works plug-in wallflower life, but then I realized I was essentially releasing toxic chemicals into our home. There are definitely alternative products out there now that alleviate that worry. But those products are an investment, with the initial costs and then the lifetime of refills.
Time and time again, I come back to a stovetop simmer of seasonal ingredients. It’s cheap (next to free if the ingredients come from our yard) and easy to do. All you need is some fresh ingredients whose scents you love, some water and a pot.
How to make Christmas stovetop potpourri
Making Christmas stovetop potpourri is the easiest way to sweeten up your home’s aroma. There are many variations out there, so I’m sharing one way to make the homemade mixture.
Potpourri ingredients:
- Fresh cranberries
- Oranges (zested and then sliced)
- Sprigs of rosemary (or pine if you have it!)
- Cinammon sticks
- Star Anise
To make the potpourri, fill a pot with water and combine all ingredients. When using fresh citrus, I always like to release the fruit’s oils from the rind by zesting it. Doing so fills the kitchen with the best citrus smell.
Once your ingredients are combined, simmer on low and enjoy the sweet scents that fill your home. As your water level gets low, add more water. The bigger the pot, the longer it will simmer.
Have fun mixing the ingredients you have on hand. If you have a favorite combo, be sure to let me know in the comments!
