The best stovetop Christmas potpourri recipes! These festive holiday simmer pot recipes are a natural way to get the smells of Christmas in your own home – no expensive candles necessary!

I don’t know about you, but Christmastime has a very specific scent in my mind.

It’s like a beautiful medley of fresh Christmas trees, cinnamon rolls, and cookies baking in the oven.

You may even have spent a pretty penny on scented holiday candles trying to achieve that festive scent.

Then, not only do you feel like your money didn’t go very far, but you’re a little worried about your kids and pets breathing in the heavy fragrances.

Luckily, there’s an inexpensive way to have the smells of the Christmas season with natural ingredients, right on your stovetop!

It’s called stovetop Christmas potpourri – aka a simmer pot – and it’s a very easy way to immerse your home in wonderful holiday smells.

This post may contain affiliate links. You can view my full disclosure policy here.

What can I simmer for Christmas smell?

When it comes to what to simmer for Christmas smell, you simply use a mixture of fresh and dry ingredients (such as citrus fruit and whole spices that you can get right at the grocery store) and some water in a small saucepan right on your stove.

Nothing can compete with the delicious aromas that fill your house when these all natural ingredients warm and simmer.

It’s kind of addicting actually. You’ll be making simmer pots from Thanksgiving into the New Year!

How to make a simmer pot

To make a simmer pot, fill a small saucepan ¾ of the way with water, then add in your aromatic ingredients.

Bring your pot of water to a boil, then reduce to a simmer on low heat.

You can let it simmer for 2-3 hours, or even all day if you’re staying home.

Just be sure to keep an eye on the water level so that you keep enough water to cover the aromatics.

The most common simmer pot ingredients are:

Cinnamon sticks
Orange peel
Lemon peels
Orange or lemon slices
Whole cloves
Star anise
Bay leaves
Vanilla extract or vanilla bean
Rosemary sprigs

You can use the simmer pot recipes listed below, or come up with your own unique, different combination that your family will love.

Can you use a crock pot as a simmer pot?

Definitely! To use your slow cooker for a simmer pot, fill a small crock pot with water about ¾ of the way up, then add in your favorite Christmas simmer pot ingredients.

Turn the slow cooker on high, and leave the lid off, so the scent disperses throughout your home.

Check the water level about once an hour to make sure it doesn’t run dry.

Okay, let’s dive into the best homemade Christmas stove top potpourri recipes, so you can make your very own yule simmer pot at home!

1. Cranberry orange stove top potpourri

This is one of those simmer pot blends that’ll instantly make your entire house feel cozy.

It’s a blend of bright citrus and warm spices, and is basically the scent definition of Christmas.

To make, combine:

Cranberries
Orange peels
Cinnamon sticks
Nutmeg
Optional: rosemary sprigs or whole cloves

2. Warming cider

Warm apple cider is the quintessential fall and winter drink, and who wouldn’t want the beautiful aroma of it to fill their home?

The warmth of the cinnamon and cloves, along with the fresh fruit, will truly feel like Christmas in the air.

To make this simmering potpourri pot, combine

Apple slices
Orange rinds
Cinnamon sticks
Whole cloves

3. Holiday blessings

The ingredients for this blend are so simple that you may already have them in your spice cabinet.

Bay leaves make this yule simmer pot fill your home with a slight Christmas tree pine scent, and the cloves and cinnamon sticks pack a festive punch.

In your small crockpot or simmering pot, combine:

Bay leaves
Whole cloves
Cinnamon sticks

4. Fresh Christmas trees

To recreate the fresh scent of a real Christmas tree, you’ll want to make this one!

Gather some needles from local trees, and add in a few other fresh ingredients.

In a pot of water, add:

Pine needles
Cinnamon sticks
Cloves
Orange peels

5. Gingerbread

Nothing says a festive time of year like gingerbread.

Spread the scent of homemade gingerbread throughout your whole house with this diy Christmas potpourri.

No need to go through the trouble of actually baking!

In a small simmer pot, add water and:

Cloves
Allspice
Cinnamon sticks
Ginger slices
Vanilla extract

6. Woodland

This blend mimics the crisp, woodsy air of winter and the holiday season.

To create this fresh, outdoorsy scent while staying warm inside, combine:

Fresh pine branches
Cracked cardamom pods
Orange slices
Sage

7. Pumpkin spice

This scent blend simulates a pumpkin pie baking in the oven, just like Mom or Grandma used to make for Thanksgiving or Christmas dinner.

To achieve that arome without the hassle, simmer:

Ginger slices
Cinnamon sticks
Cloves
Allspice

8. Winter snap

There’s just something about the cold, fresh air of winter that just feels so clean.

To recreate that freshness in the warmth of your home, combine:

Cranberries
Cloves
Lemon slices

9. Christmas cookies

Don’t you just love the scent of Christmas cookies baking in the oven?

I do! That sweet, warm vibe just can’t be beat.

To make it smell like you’ve been baking all day, simmer:

Split vanilla bean
Dried lavender
Star anise

Simmer pot gift ideas

Homemade potpourri gifts are thoughtful, easy, and inexpensive.

They make excellent neighbor gifts, for a hostess present, as party favors for guests, or for just about anyone who wants to make their home smell good.

Simply assemble the simmer pot ingredients into cellophane bags or a mason jar, then add on a printable gift tag or recipe card.

Be sure to only include dry ingredients though, such as a whole orange instead of one already sliced.

Ready to try some homemade Christmas potpourri recipes?

I hope these xmas simmer pot ideas have given you lots of inspiration for some easy Christmas stovetop potpourri and holiday simmer pot recipes.

Making potpourri is actually much easier than you’d think!

Get those Christmas smells on stove, then kick back with some hot cocoa and a holiday movie, and achieve the perfect festive vibe.

P.S. Enjoy essential oils too? Check out our Seasonal Essential Oil Blends recipe book! It has tons of recipes for holiday and seasonal essential oil recipe ideas!

P.P.S. For even more ways to make your house smell like Christmas, check out this post with 15 more ideas!

You May Also Like: