The holiday season is upon us, and if you want to infuse your space with festive scents minus the artificial additives, try this Holiday Simmer Pot Recipe! It’s a straightforward blend of spices, herbs, apples, cranberries, and evergreen branches, simmered on your stovetop or your crockpot. A natural way to create a warm, holiday ambiance without going overboard. It makes a great hostess gift and includes a free printable gift tag, too!

Whether you are decorating your tree or snuggled up under a warm blanket by the fire with a good book, having this holiday simmer pot bubbling away in your home is sure to invoke happiness and holiday cheer!

Read on to see how I package them into bundles with printable tags that make great hostess gifts, too!

What is a Simmer Pot?

A simmer pot, also known as a simmering potpourri, is a simple and natural way to freshen the air in your home by simmering a mixture of aromatic ingredients on the stovetop. Ingredients typically include a combination of herbs, spices, fruits, and sometimes essential oils. As the mixture simmers, it releases a fragrance that fills your living space, creating a cozy and inviting atmosphere.

Simmer pots are often used to evoke the scents of different seasons or holidays. The ingredients are placed in a pot, covered with water, and then simmered on low heat. The gentle heat allows the aromas to slowly waft through your home, providing a natural and chemical-free alternative to commercial air fresheners.

Simmer pots are not only a practical way to freshen the air but can also contribute to a sense of well-being by creating a connection to seasonal scents and traditions.

If you love this simmer pot, try my Autumn Simmer Pot recipe next!

Natural Holiday Simmer Pot

Step away from the artificial air fresheners and embrace a more natural approach. Holiday simmer pots help you smoothly transition from fall to winter, connecting you with the changing seasons. Plus, the scents of cinnamon, cloves, and other holiday spices can work wonders for your mood—think relaxation and an overall holiday feel.

Ingredients in This Holiday Simmer Pot Recipe

For complete ingredients and instructions scroll to the bottom of this post for the full printable recipe card.

Whether you want to use this recipe as a simple simmering potpourri or if you are interested in the metaphysical elements and offerings, here are the ingredients:

apple – associated with immortality, and protection; apple seeds form a pentacle when cut crosswise.
cranberries – represent abundance, energy, healing, love, and protection.
cinnamon sticks – are used for prosperity, protection, love, and healing; they enhance ambition and raise vibrations.
whole cloves – offer strong protection, repelling negativity and discouraging gossip and rumors.
star anise– renowned for its calming and grounding properties.
ground nutmeg – known for luck, money, prosperity, psychic awareness, and protection.
sprig of fresh evergreen –Symbolizes immortality and eternal life; retains leaves throughout winter.
Juniper berries – generate feelings of peace and boost your self-esteem. Wonderful for seasonal affective disorder. (SAD)
vanilla – a splash attracts love, lust, and positive feelings; restores energy, passion, and vitality, and sharpens the mind.
Water – regular filtered water or use your moon water to fill the pot.

Optional Essential Oils

Clove, Cinnamon, and Rosemary essential oils can be added to your pot in addition to the natural spices and herbs. Juniper is an uplifting oil that generates feelings of peace and boosting your self-esteem. Especially great if your emotions suffer during the winter.

Northern Lights Black Spruce essential oil has been known to the Lakota Indians to strengthen their ability to communicate with the Great Spirit. Traditionally, it was believed to possess the frequency of prosperity. It’s incredibly grounding and great for meditation.

Add a few drops of essential oils like peppermint or evergreen essence for an extra kick of holiday cheer. No need to go all out—just a hint will do.

Simmer Pot How To

Take a moment to focus on the process as your simmer pot works its magic. Consider it a form of mindfulness and an opportunity to set positive intentions for your space.

Place all of the ingredients in the bottom of your pot. Grind a heavy sprinkle of nutmeg over the ingredients in the pot.

Add a teaspoon of vanilla.

Pour water over the top.

Simmer on low and let the fragrance fill your home.

Stir occasionally and add water if it cooks down too far.

Love it? Pin it!

If you love this Holiday Simmer Pot Recipe make sure you can find it when you need it. Pin it to your favorite Pinterest board before you go!

How to Dispose of the Simmer Pot Remains

Once your home is soaked in that holiday goodness, don’t let the leftovers go to waste. Place them in the compost or in small bowls around your home for a lingering fragrance.

I like to place the soft elements in my garbage disposal to freshen it up. The hard ingredients, like cinnamon sticks and the branches I return to my flower beds outside.

Holiday Simmer Pot FAQs

Do I Need a Special Pot? Nope, any pot will do. Although I love my glass simmer pot I got on Amazon that I used here. It was very reasonable. You can even place the ingredients in a small crockpot.
Can I Use Ground Spices and Dry Herbs? Absolutely, in a pinch use what you have in your spice cupboard!
Do I Have to Use Every Spice Listed? Not at all, play around with the quantities or swap some out. Make it your own.

Tips & Tricks for Simmer Pot Making

This can be made in a crock pot too. Follow the same instructions and simmer on low.
You can keep the simmering pot going for many hours by adding more water as it cooks down. Don’t let it burn!
You can use ground spices in place of the whole raw spices if you are in a pinch.
Use your simmer pot as a way to set the mood in your home. Consider the energy or ambiance you want to create and choose ingredients that align with that.
Once you find a combination you love, note down the ingredients and proportions to create your signature simmer pot blend.

Simmer Pots Make Wonderful Gifts

It’s the holiday season, and we are all looking for something to bring to those parties and get-togethers. Holiday Simmer Pot ingredients make a great, economical hostess gift. Package all of the ingredients together in a cellophane bag, add this free printable tag, and tie it with a ribbon. Viola! You are all set.

If you want to turn this into an even bigger gift, pick up this beautiful simmer pot online, add the cellophane bag and tag to the inside, and gift it that way. The receiver of the gift will have all sorts of opportunities to use the simmering pot year-round with their own fresh ingredients.

Free Printable Gift Tag

Want to give these simmer pot ingredients as a cute hostess gift? Here is a free printable gift tag. Makes great teacher gifts, or co-worker gifts, too!

Click the photo to open the image in a new tab and print off the 2″x3 1/2″ tags. Simply Cut and fold for a two-sided tag to attach to the bag of ingredients.

Please know that I made these for my readers, and they are printable, but are copyright protected and cannot be used for commercial use or resold.

Gifts from the Kitchen

Looking for some more gifts that you can make for your friends, neighbors and co-workers this year? I have lots of them in my “Gifts from My Kitchen” category Here are a few that are perfect for this time of year:

Mix up some of my Homemade Hot Cocoa Mix and tie it off with some Chocolate Peppermint Stirring Spoons (pictured above) and a cute mug. One year for our kids’ teachers I made Christmas Spiced Banana Bread with Streusel Topping and another year I tied up a warm blanket titled “Long Winters Nap.”

Homemade Sugar Scrubs are always a hit, and the kids love this Homemade Play-Doh recipe!

As you dive into the holiday season, let your home soak up the scents of a simmer pot. It’s a simple way to add a touch of holiday magic without going overboard. So, toss those ingredients in a pot, let them simmer, and enjoy the festive aroma.

5 from 3 votes

Print Recipe

Holiday Simmer Pot Recipe (with Free Printable Gift Tag)

The holiday season is upon us, and if you want to infuse your space with festive scents minus the artificial additives, try this Holiday Simmer Pot Recipe! It's a straightforward blend of spices, herbs, apples, cranberries, and evergreen branches, simmered on your stovetop or your crockpot. A natural way to create a warm, holiday ambiance without going overboard.

Prep Time2

Total Time2

Course: "How To"

Cuisine: American

Keyword: apple, cranberries, evergreen, holiday simmer pot, hostess gift, printable tag, simmer pot, spices

Servings: simmer pot

Author: Michaela Kenkel

Equipment

Ingredients

1 apple
handful of cranberries
8 whole cloves
3 star anise
1 sprig of fresh evergreen
5 Juniper berries
1 teaspoon vanilla
Water

Instructions

Take a moment to focus on the process as your simmer pot works its magic. Consider it a form of mindfulness and an opportunity to set positive intentions for your space.
Place all of the ingredients in the bottom of your pot. Grind a heavy sprinkle of nutmeg over the ingredients in the pot.
Add a teaspoon of vanilla.
Pour water over the top.
Simmer on low and let the fragrance fill your home.
Stir occasionally and add water if it cooks down too far.

Notes

Optional Essential Oils: Clove, Cinnamon, and Rosemary essential oils can be added to your pot in addition to the natural spices and herbs. Juniper is an uplifting oil that generates feelings of peace and boosts your self-esteem. Especially great if your emotions suffer during the winter.