Homemade Holidays: Let’s Make the House Smell Like Christmas.
It’s finally the time I wait for all year long.
Thanksgiving week is here and that means the holiday craze is beginning! Yes!
Watch the How-To Here:
Christmas Potpourri from Half Baked Harvest on Vimeo.
Here’s the thing, every year I always make these grand plans in my head to do all my favorite holiday things. Like all of them. Cut down the family tree, decorate the tree, make sugar cookies, decorate the house, make gingerbread houses from scratch, send out christmas cookies to everyone, find the best gifts, watch ALL the Christmas movies, go for a snowy sleigh ride, make hot cocoa with giant marshmallows and loads of whipped cream, go ice skating, make the most grand Christmas dinner – with the table set all cute and festive. The idea is pretty much just to have the perfect Christmas season, which for me started with our big snowfall last week.
Here ‘s the reality though, I maybe do one or two of those things and then Christmas comes and goes and I am wicked sad it’s over because I didn’t even get to cross off half the things on my list. It honestly happens ever year.
So this year, I am just accepting the fact that I will never get all those things done. Especially with how busy I am right now, it’s just not possible. Instead, I am bringing the Christmas fun to the blog and making my work not work like at all. Gotta love that. I have decided that there are just way too many things I want to tell you guys all about this December, so now the weekends will be filled with Christmas cheer.
So exciting right!?!? Ok well exciting for me any way.
Today I am kicking things off with some crazy easy, holiday potpourri that simmers on the stove all day long. Don’t think I am all old and lame trying to tell you guys to make some homemade potpourri, I promise you will love this. Just trying to make the house smell like Christmas – like home. If you’re a candle person, you’ll love this potpourri.
The best part is, you can really use whatever you have on hand. The must-haves in my opinion are cinnamon, citrus, ginger and vanilla. Nothing makes it feel more like the holidays than those smells. So good.
I have seen the idea of potpourri that simmers on the stove all over the place lately and I am so glad I finally tried it, and especially that I tried it on a cold, snowy weekend. I just let this simmer all day long, adding more water as needed, and every person that walked through the house said “wow, it smells so good in here, like Christmas.”. Trust me, if you are having guests over this is the perfect thing to have simmering away on the stove. So try it at Thanksgiving. It’s a great easy fix that makes people feel warm, cozy and welcomed!
Jeez, I am so cheesy. It’s the holidays, they do that too me.
Nutritional information is only an estimate. The accuracy of the nutritional information for any recipe on this site is not guaranteed.
Homemade Holidays: Let’s Make the House Smell Like Christmas.
By halfbakedharvest
Course: fragrance
Cuisine: christmas
Keyword: christmas decoration, christmas fragrance
This homemade fragrance will make your christmas complete
Ingredients
- 1 1/2 cups fresh cranberries
- 3 tangerines halved
- 3 whole cinnamon sticks
- 2 star anise gives a strong black licorice smell. optional
- 1 teaspoon whole cloves
- 1 inch piece fresh ginger
- 1 tablespoon vanilla bean + 1 vanilla extract
- 1 small branch fresh pine
- 1 cup apple cider pomegranate or cranberry juice
- water
Instructions
-
Combine all the ingredients in a medium size sauce pot. Fill the pot with water until it reaches 3/4 the way full. Place the pot on the stove and bring to a gentle boil. Reduce the heat to a simmer, adding more water as needed. I let mine simmer for close to 4 hours and then let it cool over night and simmer again the next day. Just be sure to keep adding more water.
Simmering.
Mmm this looks so lovely. I can imagine my ideal cozy little cottage with this bubbling away on an aga stove, keeping the kitchen warm and cozy. It makes me want Christmas to arrive all the sooner!
Thanks so much!
I love doing this on the oven this time of year. It looks beautiful too. I don’t have a cooper pan like that though. Gorgeous!
Thanks Emily!
What?! You can’t eat that? I am pretty sure if I leave out the pine, it will be very tasty…
Holidays are definitely in the air, I can smell them too 🙂 So exciting
Haha! 🙂
You will have the best of the season….a warm home, good food (you family is grateful for), family, and friends. Oh and that little Christmas elf running around full of Christmas joy. Is she old enough to help with simple cookie recipes?? I can see your kitchen now–lol.
Hope your Sunday is a happy one.
Yes, she is….but she gets bored..fast! Haha, but I love having her in the kitchen with me.
Thanks Nancy!
Tieghan, I love to do this to! I save the peels from the clementines we’re eating to add to the pot. I haven’t tried adding pine branches but I’m sure gonna try it today!
I’m with you on the huge Christmas wish list that is never fully realized. One of these years I’ll start this list in August, and maybe then it’ll actually get done 🙂
Love your blog! -Nancy
Oh that is such a great idea!! I am doing that starting right now!:)
Thanks Nancy! 🙂
Not sure what I love most; the beautiful potpourri, your beautiful lived-in pot, the glimpse of your stove or imagining what wonderful posts you have coming up in December!
I totally agree with you Toni!! That’s what I wanted to say too Tieghen!! Everything and I mean everything here screams cozy holidays!!
Thank you so much, Ami!! Hopping you had a great weekend! 🙂
Thank you so much, Toni!! That is one of my favorite pots! 🙂
Hope you had a great weekend!
Oh gosh, I can almost smell how amazing this must be. I do the same thing with coming up with a huge list of all the things I want to do over the holiday season, and then never managing to do more than half. Those pesky final exams keep getting in the way!
UGH. I hear ya!
Thanks so much and I hope you had a great weekend!
I’ve been meaning to try this for days! Looks so gorgeous, especially in that copper pan! I can almost smell it through my screen 🙂
Thanks Nora! 🙂
This is so much fun, I agree Christmas is the best time of the year. So many wonderful emotions and memories to feel and build!
Thanks Nik! Hope you had a great weekend!
Lovin’ the smells you’re creating here, Tieghan!
Thanks so much!!
This is so incredibly cool Tieghan!! I think I can, I think I can…
THANK YOU! 🙂
Hope you had a great weekend!
This is so beautiful to look at, not to mention how lovely it must smell! Also, that saucepan is gorgeous! ; )
Thanks Crystal! 🙂
Hope you had a great weekend!
I so want the house to smell like Christmas, this is gorgeous!
Thanks Laura!
Hope you had a great weekend! 🙂
I so badly want to experience a white Christmas and have this bubbling away on the stove!! For us in Australia, Christmas is the hottest time of year. We normally do BBq’s on the day and spend as much time as we can in the pool. It’s always fun seeing the difference in the food posts of bloggers in the US and Aus in a the contrasting seasons. As always your photos are just gorgeous!
No way! I cannot even imagine spending Christmas day BBQ and swimming in the pool. I hope you get to enjoy a white Christmas someday!
Thanks so much!
This is genius. Can’t wait to try it!! Also – love that white background! Where is it from?!
Thanks so much!! The back is actually and old door my dad found for me. It’s huge and so heavy!
I do something like this but it never occurred to me to add a bit of “pine!” Living in Southern CA, now, (but growing up in MN) I make the house smell like fall & winter even if the weather outside is more like summer in MN outside!
Haha! That is awesome! Thank you so much, Lori!
You are like a dream come true. No joke, I haven’t looked at another website since I saw yours. NOW, since I live in Arabia, any idea on how I could find those pine branches? I have only palm trees.
THANK YOU!! You can actually buy pine branches on amazon. Here is the link.
You are a saint. A SAINT. <3
🙂
THANK YOU!
Are you sure you can’t drink this when you’re done? It looks like it would taste SO GOOD.
Umm, I do not know. Never tried it, but I think it might be pretty gritty.
Thanks!
I love this! And I had to chuckle at your intro because I am just like this. LOL! Every year I have visions of doing ______ (all the things you wrote that you wanted to do at Christmastime), and I maybe get to 2 of them. Oh well, at least my house will smell lovely this year!! Thank you!
May I know how long do we need to boil and how to know it is ready to be served?
Hey Abbie,
This is not something you want to drink. Or at least I have never tried drinking it. I think it would be bitter and gritty. Sorry for the mix up.
I put mine in a small slow cooker. then i cut the bottom from a Christmas gift bag that goes with my decorating theme, and drop it over the slow cooker. usually put it on the floor i a corner of the living room, near the heat exchange vent. goes all through the house. remember to unplug at night.
Great idea! Thanks for the tip!
Hi Toni, that sounds like a great idea — do you put the slow cooker on Low or High? Thanks!
Hey Brittany!
I would put it on low. Merry Christmas!!
Mm looks really lovely, will try to find the ingredients to make it before christmas 🙂
Cheryl
http://daisycandle.com
Did you think the cranberries added much scent? I was doing a little simmering potpourri myself today! (I like rosemary, lemon, and a tiny capful of vanilla.)
Tieghan, I discovered your web site thanks to Pinterest. Your popurri is lovely, amazing and plenty of Christmas Smell. I almost can feel it watching your great pics! Thanks for sharing something so cozy, simple and beatiful.
THANK YOU! Merry Christmas!!
I also got your we site through Pinterest. Thanks for sharing your ideas. Lovely Xmas smell!!!
WOW! This looks HEAVENLY! Ya think it would work in a crock pot too? That way you don’t have to have the stove on all day. I will definitely be making this! I just moved back to Southern California so its hot right now, but I don’t care! I lived in MA for the past 4 years-too bad I didn’t see this then 😉
Yup, the crockpot will work great! Hope you love this!
Its so wonderful receipt. Could u pls detail, how long can i use it? And should i put it into the fridge? Or its only for one/two days?
HI! You can put it in the fridge, but it will not last longer than 4-6 days. Let me know if you have other questions! 🙂
Great recipe. And that saucepan rocks! Luv it. Totally medieval. Where on earth did you find it?
Thanks so much! I bought it on Etsy. Just search copper pots! 🙂
Hello
Genial!!!!!!! But please send me the receipe in french. Merci.
Graziela
I’m going to try this! Mmmm I love Christmas.
me too! 🙂 THANKS!
Thanks for illuminating me with this Christmas aroma recipe?, I’ve tried it today and it’s omg,will never buy candles again on Christmas❤️.
haha! So happy you love this, thanks!
so when all ready what do you do with it
You just let it simmer until it all gone basically. You can add more water to keep it going longer.
I can just about smell this coming from your kitchen and want it for my kitchen too! Of course here in NZ, Christmas is Summer time, but this Christmas aroma I fondly remember of being in California for Christmas a few times, wants me to make our home smell like this too! I was thinking of using the Crock Pot too!
hehe! Thank you so much, Chrissy! Hope you love this! Oh and I think the crockpot will be great!
Just a stupid question, after I make this for how long the smell stay???, I wouldn’t like to be making this every second day.
Thanking you.
HI! You can keep adding water to this to keep it going longer (store in the fridge when not on the stove), but no more than four days.
Hi! What a wonderful idea! I’d never heard of liquid pot pourri, but this looks to be an excellent way of introducing a Christmassy atmosphere. Do you think it might work in an old fondu pot with a night light burning? I only ask because of the energy costs involved with keeping a stove going for a long while …
Hmm, I am not sure. It might not give off enough heat to produce a smell, BUT then it might. I think it is worth a try! 🙂
Holy COW, your photographs are drop dead gorgeous. Like put them in a frame beautiful. I thoroughly enjoyed gazing at them!
THANK YOU!
Would this work in a spare crock pot? Looks amazing ?
Hey Becky! Yes, it would be great in a crockpot, just set it on low. Thanks!
love this sent and I am going to make this for my girlfriends gifts. Where did you get the beautiful copper pot you are simmering in?
Thank you so much! I bought it on Etsy, just search copper pots. 🙂
I am making this soon because of how lovely is looks and sounds. Ahhhh! I went out to get the stuff tonight as well as pick a pine branch off a tree from the streets. Haha. I showed someone what I’m gonna make and they swear the branch you pictured here is either spruce or fir. What’s the deal?
I really want to make this for Christmas but do not want to spend money in a ceramic pot, can I make it in one that I have but is a clay pot that I brought from overseas, never have used it.
Do you news to let it simmer for so many hours? Gas is really expensive here in México.
Do you really have to*…
Hi, To keep the smell going, you need to keep it on a low heat. You could put this in the crockpot as well.
Also you can try pickling spice it smells great simmering on the stove.
This worked awesome, the wife loved it! She was a bit upset that it didn’t feel like Christmas after getting some holiday decor up. So we got a tree over the weekend and used your recipe to fill the house with holiday spirit and she loved it.
My friend just gave me all the ingredients (not including any liquids) in a mason jar with a cute tag on it that stated how to use it. A pretty ribbon tied around the lid. A perfect little gift for neighbors, teachers, etc!!
Yeah! That is awesome! Happy Holidays! 🙂
When do you refresh everything ? How long does the mixture last? Just love the smell.
Love this it makes my house smell so good. How often do you have to make new?
Thank you!!! I would say after every two to three days you would need to make a new. Have a Merry Christmas! 🙂
Where did you get that super awesome copper pot?
I bought that on Etsy. Just search vintage copper pots.
I’ve made this minus the pine and anise as I don’t like either smell bit I added a sliced Apple. Was to die for. Thanks for the great idea I also have a red mini slow cooker and it’s a holiday all year round
So happy you loved it! Thanks!
That sounds amazing Annette, I am so happy you loved this!! ?
ewwww….gross..sum ferrell witchy brew…….
Ce mélange doit sentir merveilleusement bon !
Je le ferais dans la période de Noël. merci pour cette recette.
Perso, je fais un mélange utilisable toute l’année : des demi-citrons avec le reste de la pulpe (j’utilise beaucoup le citron en cuisine), des branches de romarin (mis au congélateur), un peu de vanille, de gingembre, des clous de girofle (j’ajoute ce que j’ai sous la main, les pelures d’agrumes), je complète ma casserole avec de l’eau et je mets à mijoter tout doucement. Tout le monde croit que je suis en train de faire de la pâtisserie.
Je vous remercie!
Have you ever given this as a gift, maybe in a mason jar? Just wondering if this is possible to put these ingredients together and how soon it needs to be used.
HI Gloria!! I have! Here is the link: https://dev.halfbakedharvest.com/the-gift-of-a-christmas-scent-homemade-holiday-potpourri-giveaway/
La ise y me encantó gracias
Aida perdón pero no pude resistir corregir su enorme error de ortografia. “HICE” es con H y C, no trato de ser mala solo que lo primero que vi fue lo que usted escribio en FB y me salio en hotmail.
Epero no se ofenda.
Bárbara.
Gracias!!
I just love having my home smell like Christmas. Fantastic recipe, thank you!
Thank you so much Wendy!!
Could u please let me know what after simmering.. i mean the potpouri part ?? From the post i see only till the part of simmering.
Thanks
Hi Shirley, you just simmer this over low heat on the stove to release the scents. Please let me know if you have other questions. Thank you!
Absolutely LOVED this!
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Thanks! Glad you like my site!
Fantastic, I can not wait to get Christmas to try this recipe. Congratulations.
Thank you!! Hope you love it!!
Can I store this after the simmering part? Or will I have to throw it away the next day?
HI! Yes, you can store it and then add more water the next day. Let me know if you have questions. Thanks!
How long can you leave it out to smell only 2 days?
Do the cranberries emit a scent? They do look gorgeous!
HI! Not so much. They are more for color. Let me know if you have questions. Thank you! Happy Holidays!
Holy moly, this looks AMAZING. I’m getting the ingredients tomorrow 🙂 Thanks for the idea and inspiration!!
Thank you Alyssa!! Hope you loved the scent!!
How long will this last until you have to get all new ingredients?
about 3-4 days. Happy Holidays! ?
I definitely must try this for our woodstove. We have a little kettle on it now, but for Christmas, I would love the scent in the house.
Thanks for this great tutorial, Tieghan!
Yes!! That would be perfect!! Your welcome!
I started this years ago, just not as elaborate as you, for the same reasons. As I got older and older I cooked less and less and had spices in the cabinet that were OLD so it became my thing to put the oldies to good use. When I replaced them after the holidays it didn’t feel like I had been horribly wasteful. The additions you’ve come up with are lovely and have started turning the cranks in my head.
Ah how funny!
So happy you like them and its getting the ideas flowing! Thanks Mary Ann.
This recipe is great. I do have one word of advice. I purchased at a craft fair a lady that had made this and had put in several pieces of pine. Looked beautiful. Smelled awesome!! SKIP THE PINE. The pine after two heatings apparently dried…I pulled it off the heat and 1 hour after our smoke alarms went off. The pine resin had ignited and had smoldered setting the smoke alarms off. I grabbed the pot and ran it outside where it ignited due to plenty of air! This could have ended horribly if it was near something flamable. Please post!!!!
So sorry you had trouble with the pine. I have never experienced that. Hope it all ended ok!
I have used Cinnamon, oranges and cloves, even apples so good
Thank you Donna!
This can also be done in a crockpot. I have made similar potpourri but did it in a crockpot from this recipe see what other things I can use. Thanks for sharing.
Great idea! Thank you Nancy!
I use the same only substitute the juice for water and use a big candle jar and large candle warmer. I put a lot of orange peal in and grated fresh ginger also. I put it all in the jar and then in the warmer. I can add more water the next day – I always check it daily. At times I will refresh the cinnamon sticks an orange peel , Even have added a touch of lemon peel at times.
Sounds amazing! Thanks Mary Ann!
Oh MY…..! This is truly delightful! Makes the house smell of that warm, “comfort” aroma. I used apples in lieu of apple juice since I had none and I also used Rosemary in place of the pine. Not sure why since we’re surrounded by it here in the Seattle area. Thank you for sharing. We are enjoying the fruits of the holiday now!
That sounds so amazing! Thank you Kelly! Happy Holidays!
Where did you get these gorgeous pans!?
And I am definitely going to be trying this out while decorating the tree after thanksgiving.
xo, Rachel Nicole
https://rachelnicolexo.com/
They cam from France. I found them on Etsy. Hope you had a wonderful Thanksgiving! Please let me know if you have other questions. Hope you love this recipe! Thanks! 🙂
that is balsam fir pictured – not pine at all 🙂 sorry to nitpick!
How long will this last before it is no longer good?
I use it for up to 4 days and just keep adding water to it. Please let me know if you have other questions. Hope you love this recipe! Thanks! 🙂
Do you get the pine from your backyard
I did! Please let me know if you have other questions. Hope you love this recipe! Thanks! 🙂
so creatif , i like to read all the conten of your blog, waiting for next article
Great! Thanks!
Recipe
Pinterest just reposted this Nancy. I saw it on my phone, so I came to the computer, searched and found so I can save and try it. Thank you! I’m glad it’s still online after 3 years. Merry Christmas, Happy Holidays and have a blessed, healthy and prosperous New Year!
John, Philadelphia suburb
I hope you love this! Thank you John!
Nice just saw this
Thanks!
This sounds wonderful. I am guessing that I don’t HAVE to add the vanilla bean, I can just add a little extra extrac? Thanks bunches. Loving this blog.
HI! Yes, just use about 2 teaspoon vanilla extra!! Please let me know if you have other questions. Hope you love this recipe! Happy Holiday’s ? 🙂
Now what do I do with this when I want a fresh batch?? Are there anyways to use the old when exchanging for new??
You can simmer this for up to 3-4 days, adding water as needed to keep it from drying out. Please let me know if you have other questions. Hope you love this recipe! Thanks! 🙂
Now what do I do with this when I want a fresh batch?? Are there anyways to use the old when exchanging for new?? PS THIS WAS A FANTASTIC IDEA
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Thank you!
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Thank you!
How long does the smell last in your home?
about 1 day, but longer if you continue to simmer on the stove, adding water to make sure it does not dry up. Please let me know if you have other questions. Hope you love this recipe! Thanks! 🙂
Thanks for this great tutorial, Tieghan!
Glad you like it!
This is incredible. Can’t wait to try it!!
Thank you! I hope you love this!
hmmm i want but im not sure can make it ><
I am sure you could! Thanks!
I am interested in your article, very helpful in my work. thank you for sharing this information …
Thank you!
I am happy with your article, I think your website is pretty good. Many articles are very useful for everyone. I am sure your website will grow in the future. I will always support your website, hopefully more advanced. keep the spirit… thanks
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Thank you so much!
nice recipe, ill try make it
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I love all these decorations, l plan on trying some of them during the holidays. Thank you for sharing these with us.
I am so glad you like this! Thank you Joyce!
Does the pine leave a residue in the pot?
Hey Laura! No the pine does not leave a residue. Please let me know if you have any other questions. I hope you love this. Thanks so much! xTieghan
I do this in a tiny Crock-Pot! Love the idea of adding date anise and cloves!
Thank you Areli!
Hi! For how long can I leave this homemade fragrance, up to 2 days maybe? After that can I use the ingredients to do the sachet bags (potpourri) or do I throw them away?
For the sachet bags do you recomend using dry fruits or can I use natural ones? If so, how much time would the potpourri last?
Thanks for your time and hope to hear from you soon.
Hi there! This will last 3-5 days if you keep adding water to it. Please let me know if you have any other questions. I hope you love this recipe. Thanks so much!! xTieghan ?
Christmas is getting closer, I can try on his advice thank you halfbakedharvest
Thank you Mai!
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Very nice processing and decoration, I can’t take my eyes off your food
Thank you! xTieghan
I made one similar last christmas cinnamon stix 3/4in a packet,dried cranberries,(no fresh ones where i live),2 sprigs of fresh rosemary,1 orange sliced,nutmeg,cloves put in a saucepan with water bring to boil the simmered about 4 hours the house smelled great can,t remember exact amount of nutmeg or cloves this was someone elses post on pinterest and I thank them for it. I like your recipe will try it out thankyou
Oh amazing! I hope you love this one as well! Thank you Joy! xTieghan
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Thank you! xTieghan
WHAT A BRILLIANT IDEA.. IM DEFINETLY DOING THIS FOR CHRISTMAS DAY….BEFORE FAMILY GET HERE… ( 😱😱BESIDESALL THE COOKING THAT WOULD BE GOING ON…)
LOVE YOUR FORMAT..BEAUTIFULLY PUTOUT.
Thank you so much! xTieghan
Why can’t you eat it?!
Well, I think it smells better that it would taste! xTieghan
Where did you get that pot? It’s so pretty!
Hey Jessalyn,
I found this pot in a vintage store, sorry I don’t have a link! xTieghan
Can’t wait to try this for Christmas!! I have been searching for a smell for my house here in England but I haven’t had any luck in this department! Crazy huh??? Maybe I should come up with something of my very own to get that yummy smell of pine cone and gingerbread but first I’m going to try yours and I’m looking forward to it!! The only thing is how many days is this going to last??? Only one??? Seems like a lot of work and money for only one day??? Can you answer my question?? Thanks for the recipe!! Merry Christmas! Tam
Hey Tamre,
Yes this will last all day:) I hope you love the recipe, please let me know if you have any other questions! xTieghan
Love this! Always bought some. Added cardamom and anise – just cause I had.
Also – just set my table per your repeated recommendation! But so happy I did. In leave and quiet 🙂 check!
And live that I can print the recipes we’re using from you – so easy – “Jump to recipe” and “print”! Boom!
Only wish you could make my first ever turkey! (Of course I’m using your recipe:)
Love this! How many days can you use this for?
Hey Carina,
This will last for 1 day. I hope you love the recipe, please let me know if you have any other questions. Happy Holidays! xTieghan
Trying this now. I scrolled through the comments but didn’t find an answer to my question—could you please clarify the amount of vanilla extract?
Hey Holly,
You can use 1 tablespoon of vanilla extract. Hope you love the recipe! Happy Holidays! xTieghan
Wonderful site,thank you
Thanks so much Debra! xTieghan