This stovetop Christmas potpourri is easy to make and will make your whole home smell magical! It's all the classic scents of the holidays in one pot. Make it for your own home or as a simple Christmas gift to give away.
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Ingredients
Here's what you'll need to make this recipe. The full recipe card and ingredient list can be found at the bottom of the page.
- Orange
- Fresh cranberries
- Fresh rosemary
- Cinnamon sticks
- Whole cloves, optional
Instructions
Here's how to make this Christmas potpourri on your stovetop:
Step 1: Add to pot. Add all of the ingredients to a large pot. Pour in 4 - 5 cups of water.
Step 2: Simmer. Turn the heat to medium-low and bring the pot to a simmer. Turn down the heat as much as possible to maintain a small, gentle simmer.
Step 3: Enjoy. Heat for 4 - 5 hours, uncovered, until the potpourri is no longer fragrant. Stir occasionally and add more water if needed.
Crockpot Instructions:
Add the ingredients and 4 - 5 cups of water. Cook on low, uncovered, until no longer fragrant.
Substitutions
- Orange: I've used naval oranges in this recipe; but you can use any kind of orange, clementine or tangerine.
- Lemons: in addition to oranges, other citrus fruit work well. Add a lemon to make the recipe smell even more fresh.
- Whole cloves: this are optional but strongly recommended. They are very fragrant and festive! You can find them in the spice aisle at the grocery store. You could also use ground cloves (⅛ teaspoon).
- Nutmeg: add ⅛ teaspoon ground nutmeg for even more of a classic Christmas scent.
- Orange juice: swap out some of the water for orange juice to make your potpourri extra citrus-y.
This recipe is also easy to customize: add more of your favorite ingredients and less (or leave out) the ones you don't care for. You can't go wrong with any combination of these traditional Christmas scents.
How to Make Christmas Potpourri as a Gift
This Christmas potpourri is also popular to give as a Christmas gift! To give it as a gift, wrap up the ingredients in a small bag or put them in a mason jar.
It's the perfect gift for neighbors, teachers, or friends — it's a festive, homemade gift that's super easy (and cost-effective) to make.
Frequently Asked Questions
For as long as it smells good! Usually this potpourri loses some of its scent and turns mushy after about 4 - 5 hours. You can keep simmering for longer than that; but it won't be as fresh.
You can simmer it either way (lid on or off); but it will be more fragrant with the lid off. Your water will also evaporate with the lid off, so check occasionally if you need to add more.
Yes, you can simmer this potpourri on your stovetop or in a crockpot. To make it in a crockpot, add the ingredients and 4 - 5 cups of water. Cook on low, uncovered, until no longer fragrant.
Recipe
Stovetop Christmas Potpourri
Ingredients
- 1 orange sliced
- 2 cups fresh cranberries
- 2 sprigs fresh rosemary
- 2 cinnamon sticks
- 2 teaspoons whole cloves optional
Instructions
- Add the ingredients to a large pot. Pour in 4 - 5 cups of water.
- Turn the heat to medium-low and bring the pot to a simmer. Turn down the heat as much as possible to maintain a small, gentle simmer.
- Heat for 4 - 5 hours, uncovered, until the potpourri is no longer fragrant. Stir occasionally and add more water if needed.
- Alternatively, you can make this in a crockpot: add the ingredients and 4 - 5 cups of water. Cook on low, uncovered, until no longer fragrant.
Andy
Really love this - I can’t help getting in the holiday spirit!
Megan
So glad that you enjoyed it! 🙂
William
Smells like the holidays! Great way to use leftovers from other cooking- leave no cranberry behind