Holiday Stovetop Potpourri

This Holiday Stovetop Potpourri recipe makes the whole house smell like the Holidays! It’s a perfect Christmas gift for neighbors too!

I love giving Christmas gifts for neighbors this time of year and this stovetop potpourri is a simple way to give a thoughtful gift!

One of my favorite things about this fabulous time of year are the wonderful aromas that come through the kitchen while baking. I’ve got my simple recipe for stovetop potpourri that fills your entire home with sweet spices that literally smells like you’ve been baking all day. Such a great little pot to have simmering for your Holiday parties coming up.

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Stovetop Potpourri

What You’ll Need

  • cinnamon sticks– Find cinnamon sticks in the spices section of the grocery store. Check your local dollar store too. I’ve gotten them many times there before.
  • whole cloves– Check the spices section of the grocery store for whole cloves.
  • vanilla bean– Vanilla beans can also be found in the spices section of the grocery store.
  • orange peel– Orange peel when simmered with the other spices gives a lovely scent. Be sure to watch water carefully that it doesn’t get low while boiling.
  • whole nutmeg– Find whole nutmeg in the spices section of the grocery store as well. Again, check your local dollar store too.
  • water for simmering– When simmering ingredients on the stovetop it is very important to check the water level that it doesn’t get too low.

How To Make Stovetop Potpourri

  1. Place water into a small saucepan. Add cinnamon sticks, cloves, vanilla bean, nutmeg and orange peels. Turn heat to medium until water starts to boil. Reduce heat to low and simmer as long as desired.
  2. Check water level every 1/2 hour that you have simmering. Water needs to be added as needed. Do not let water evaporate. Use potpourri for 2 days (adding additional water as necessary) then discard and make a new batch.  Makes 2 Cups Potpourri.`

Stovetop Potpourri

You can make a few substitutions if needed. The spices can be in “ground” form if you don’t have the “whole” spices as I have here. You can absolutely use vanilla extract in place of the vanilla bean. Those beans can be a little pricey. You can also use fresh cranberries in place or in addition to the orange 🙂

Stovetop Potpourri

You’ll start by adding 2 cups of water to a small saucepan.

Stovetop Potpourri

Add your cinnamon sticks (or ground cinnamon).

Stovetop Potpourri

Pour in your whole or ground cloves.

Stovetop Potpourri

Add your nutmeg and vanilla to the saucepan.

Stovetop Potpourri

Quarter your pretty orange.

Stovetop Potpourri

You’ll just need the peel, so enjoy the orange pieces.

Stovetop Potpourri

Add your orange peels to the saucepan and you are ready to go! Can you handle the difficulty?

Stovetop Potpourri

Turn up the heat.

Stovetop Potpourri

Let your potpourri come to a boil then reduce heat to low and simmer as desired. Make sure you glance at the water levels every now and then. You’ll have to add more water as it gets low.

Stovetop Potpourri

Stovetop Potpourri

How To Gift

To make Christmas gifts for neighbors, you can add all of the dry pieces to a cellophane bag, wrap with a little Tablespoon (from the dollar store) and a ribbon. Attach the recipe and it makes a simple gift for friends and neighbors 🙂  Check your dollar store for cinnamon sticks and the other spices, it can be an inexpensive gift idea!

stovetop potpourri

Holiday Stovetop Potpourri

This Holiday Stovetop Potpourri recipe makes the whole house smell like the Holidays! It's a perfect Christmas gift for neighbors too!
Course: Side Dish
Cuisine: American
Prep Time 5 minutes
Total Time 5 minutes
Servings: 2 cups
Calories: 59kcal
Author: Jenny
Cost: $20
Print Pin

Equipment

  • Stove
  • measuring cups
  • cellophane bags if using as gift

Ingredients

  • 2 cinnamon sticks or 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • 1 tablespoon whole cloves or 1/2 teaspoon ground cloves
  • 1 vanilla bean or 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1 orange peel quartered (fresh cranberries are also great to add as well)
  • 1 whole nutmeg or 1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
  • 2 cups water

Instructions

  • Place water into a small saucepan. Add cinnamon sticks, cloves, vanilla bean, nutmeg and orange peels. Turn heat to medium until water starts to boil. Reduce heat to low and simmer as long as desired.
  • Check water level every 1/2 hour that you have simmering. Water needs to be added as needed. Do not let water evaporate. Use potpourri for 2 days (adding additional water as necessary) then discard and make a new batch.  Makes 2 Cups Potpourri

Nutrition

Calories: 59kcal | Carbohydrates: 12g | Fat: 1g | Sodium: 34mg | Fiber: 6g | Vitamin A: 50IU | Vitamin C: 16.3mg | Calcium: 123mg | Iron: 0.9mg
Keywords: diy christmas gift, diy christmas gift for mom, diy gift valentine, holiday gift guide, how to make potpourri, potpourri on the stove

Pin Holiday Stovetop Potpourri

stovetop potpourri

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32 Responses
  1. Lucinda

    I take a large stock pot, fill it w/those ingredients, and a bit of essential oils and let it simmer all day long. Not only does it make the house smell good, it adds humidity during the winter, which makes the house warmer and more comfortable. Occasionally, I will give it a stir and add boiling water as needed. I also use a crockpot the same way, but I can get more humidity into the air with the stockpot.

  2. Colleen Collins

    I love this recipe. It makes my whole house smell great!!! I am passing this on to a few friends.

  3. Katie

    This is a great idea for a gift! I’m making a little baggie of it for each of my teacher co-workers. Thanks 🙂

  4. Alessia

    Hi
    The recipe looks amazing, only you don’t explain what to do after you boil everything..
    What do you use the liquid or the pieces?
    Thanks

  5. Kathie

    thank you! This is much easier than other recipes I have seen lately that require dehydrated fruit. I don’t have a dehydrator and I really don’t want to spend money on one just to make potpourri.

  6. Jennifer

    This is one of my favorite things about the fall/winter! There are so many variations you can do as well. I sometimes throw in apple peels or cranberries. Some sliced ginger smells fabulous too. I love the idea of gifting this, thanks!

    1. Jenny

      Thanks Jennifer, I love the idea of throwing in apples and ginger! I need to try that next 🙂

  7. Mary

    I do this every year, I love it. Just do not forget to not over cook it. I am so absent minded sometimes I forget about it on the stove….oops. 🙂 My husband gets mad at me. LOL! Holiday in a pan.

  8. Sarah

    Love this smell! I’ve done this every year for as long as I can remember. This, and the Christmas tree are what the holidays smell like to me.

  9. Carlas Confections

    Love that Jenny! What a great way to make the place smell great, and I really love it as a gift idea too 🙂

  10. Anabella James

    Love this idea and love your blog! This is a great gift for my co-workers this year. Thank you for posting!

  11. Karen @ Sugartown Sweets

    Thank you for the easy step-by-step recipe. Oranges take me straight back to the Christmas seasons of my childhood!

  12. Kerri

    I LOVE this!! Sooo much healthier than artificial fragranced candles and all the other fake fragrances out there! Thank you!

  13. Winnie

    I can’t wait to try this. I used to stud oranges with cloves for the holiday season and we used them as air fresheners, and ornaments. Your idea will have the kitchen smelling so delicious. I popped over from Barbara Bakes blog…

  14. Loretta | A Finn In The Kitchen

    This is a beautiful idea! It makes me want to start a pot, crank up the Christmas music (and I usually don’t allow it until after Thanksgiving), and decorate a tree! Pinning this for sure…

  15. Heather

    Love that. And yes, it does make a nice little holiday gift for someone- that doesn’t create clutter, but is something they can use. Thx for the inspiration!

  16. Suzanne T.

    I save all orange peels and dry them on a paper plate. Once they are dry enough to break they can be stored in a glass jar until needed. My family has learned to save all orange peelings. Haha Once they are in the simmering water they rehydrate and smell wonderful! That way you can package the ingredients ahead of time. These are wonderful gifts.
    p.s. A friend of my now grown daughter said she loved to come to our house as a child because it always smelled wonderful!

  17. Heather (Heather's Dish)

    my mom used to make this all the time in this cute little copper pot that she had! i usually do mine in a mini crockpot because i don’t trust myself leaving the stove on all day, but it smells like heaven 🙂

  18. Axelle the french cook

    I know pot pourri, but I never thought about offering it this way. This is a great great idea !

  19. Averie @ Averie Cooks

    Jenny this is a fabulous idea – and I bet your house smells SO GOOD! I’d be tempted to drink it – it probably smells so delicious 🙂

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