Holiday Stovetop Potpourri

Posted: Dec 22, 2021Updated: Feb 16, 2023

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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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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

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.`

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 🙂

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

Add your cinnamon sticks (or ground cinnamon).

Pour in your whole or ground cloves.

Add your nutmeg and vanilla to the saucepan.

Quarter your pretty orange.

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

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

Turn up the heat.

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.

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!