Hello December and hello Christmas! It’s my favorite time of the year and I love seeing everyone’s holiday spirit kicking in. I was definitely one of those people who started decorating their Christmas trees and buying Christmas gifts in November (partly because I had to start shooting holiday content early for brands, but I have to admit it was pretty fun).
If you’re hosting a holiday party this year or just looking to make your home feel more festive, the secret ingredient is making a homemade stovetop potpourri that smells like orange and cinnamon.
Try this simmering holiday potpourri recipe that will make your house smell amazing. People will be convinced you are cooking up something incredible, but it’s just Christmas potpourri!
My favorite combination is orange and cinnamon, but you could toss in cloves, star anise, apple peels, lemons, bay leaves, vanilla, or even nutmeg.
Orange Cinnamon Holiday Potpourri
INGREDIENTS:
1 orange (keep the peel on)
4 cinnamon sticks
Cloves, optional
STEPS:
Slice the orange crosswise and place it in a medium pot.
Add cinnamon sticks and fill the pot with water.
Bring to a boil, then turn down to a simmer (leave pot uncovered).
Let simmer and enjoy the holiday cheer!
A FEW RECIPE NOTES:
Be sure to not let the pot run dry. Keep an eye on the pot and replenish it with more water as necessary.
I like to keep my pot on the stove for a few days, and just add water periodically (I turn on the burner anytime I’m near the kitchen).
I love having this simmering on my stove while I’m hosting for the holidays. This year I plan on making a bunch of dishes including prime rib, so I’m going to try out this Prime Rib Rub.
Recipe by guest contributor Lindsay Kinder, of Food La La, your go-to for the hows, whats, and whys of cooking healthy, but delicious food!
Like this holiday trick? Be sure to check out my other food content here.
FAQs
Christmas potpourri is a mixture of spices and fruit that are used for scent. It can be prepared in dry form or over a simmering pot on the stove.
Christmas potpourri lasts dry for about 2-3 days and the simmering pot potpourri lasts up to a month in the fridge.
It is recommended to put the store-bought potpourri in a pot of warm water on the stove and not boil it.
Potpourri can be freshened with some drops of essential oils.
Elise Armitage is an entrepreneur and founder of What The Fab, a travel + lifestyle blog based in California. At the beginning of 2019, Elise left her corporate job at Google to chase her dreams: being an entrepreneur and helping women find fabulous in the everyday. Since then, she’s launched her SEO course Six-Figure SEO, where she teaches bloggers how to create a passive revenue stream from their website using SEO. Featured in publications like Forbes, Elle, HerMoney, and Real Simple, Elise is a firm believer that you can be of both substance and style.
