Easy DIY Simmering Pot Gift
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A DIY simmer pot gift is a thoughtful and fragrant way to share the warmth of the season. Packed with aromatic citrus, cinnamon sticks, apples, and cloves, it’s a perfect homemade present that fills any home with cozy, inviting scents.
I love the smells of fall, like the smell of my favorite apple bread baking! I’m always looking for natural ways to scent my home.
What is a simmer pot?
Have you heard of simmering pots, also called stovetop potpourri? They are a super simple way to scent your home without the chemicals of sprays and store-bought fragrances. You simply combine aromatics in a pot of water and keep it at a simmer on the stovetop.
I like to gift mason jar simmer pots to family and friends over the holidays, they always love to receive them! They also make great hostess gifts too!
Ingredients
- orange slices
- cinnamon sticks
- whole cloves
- apple peels
Variations
You can experiment with all sorts of aromatics, try herbs like sprigs of fresh rosemary or mint; spices like star anise, allspice, bay leaves, or whole nutmeg; other types of citrus like grapefruit, lemon, limes, or tangerines; fresh cranberries or apple slices…the possibilities are endless!
I recommend buying spices in bulk to keep costs down. You can find them on Amazon or at your local warehouse store like Costco or Sam’s Club.
Step by step
Combine your ingredients in a mason jar-you can use whatever quantities you have on hand-I promise it will still make your home smell fantastic! I used one thinly sliced orange, the peel from one apple, one cinnamon stick, and one tablespoon of whole cloves.
Fill the mason jar to the top with water-it will keep in the refrigerator for up to 3 weeks. I tied a little ribbon around the lid of mine to give as a gift.
How to Use a Simmering Pot
To use your simmer pot, simply pour the mixture in a small pot on low heat on your stovetop throughout the day. Make sure you keep an eye on it and add more water as needed.
You can also put these in a crockpot on high. I like to use the crockpot method when entertaining because it’s an easy way to have the house smell amazing without having to keep an eye on the stove the entire time. This Crockpot Christmas Simmer Pot is a wonderful blend.
Ohmygoodness…it smells heavenly, I had it going all day yesterday in my house and my boys kept asking me if I was making “sweet treats” for them! (For another version of a fall simmering recipe check out this Autumn Cinnamon Clove Simmering Pot Recipe with printable tag!)
This is a great idea! I love giving Mason Jar gifts. I am pinning this and so doing it! Thanks!
If you give it as a gift, how long can it stay unrefrigerated before it goes bad? I would love to give this as teacher gifts this year, but would hate for it to go bad before they use it! Thanks so much!
It’s recommended to keep it in the fridge for up to two weeks. I was thinking about doing these for teacher gifts too and I’d probably attach a note letting them know to keep it refrigerated until using it. The great news is you can prep your ingredients ahead of time keeping your peels in the fridge and then throw them together quite quickly when it’s time to give the gift!
For the tea how much cloves and cinnamon sticks? want to try this tea am trying to break the soda habit
I haven’t done tea like this Ovella but I responded to the commenter above who said they had with your question and I’ll let you know if/when they reply!!
What size mason jars did you use???
I believe it was the pint size but you can use any, there’s no need to be exact!
I like to do mine in a small crock pot with the lid off. You don’t have to watch it so close. Scent still fills the house.
Great idea Denise!
This is how i make my teas at home. I take half an apple, cinnamon sticks, cloves, sometimes I add ginger or some other spice and boil them in water. and voila, that’s my tea! The house always has this nice aroma.Nice idea though.
Great idea! Another commenter was very interested in this and asked: “For the tea how much cloves and cinnamon sticks? want to try this tea am trying to break the soda habit” If you could help her out I’d so appreciate it, I don’t know anything about that!
Oh what a great idea! Love it and such a great gift especially for the holidays!
Hugs,
Jamie @ somuchbetterwithage.com
my mother in law used to do this all the time, but what a great gift idea, had never thought of putting them in mason jars to give as gifts, will do that this year.
LOVE this! I make mulled cider sachets every fall, and I love how it fills the whole house with the smells of autumn…sans scented candle, too! Thanks for the recipe! Need to add apple peel to mine!
Can this be reused after simmering? Like put back into the fridge and used the next day?
Yes Ashley! You can put it back and reuse until the smell starts to fade, I use mine 2-3 times each! Be sure to refrigerate between uses!
I first tried simmering pots last winter and loved it! I didn’t try it with apple peels, though!
Hi… I love love love this idea. I am very sensitive to smells, I have yet to find a candle or a plug in that doesn’t bother me and give me headaches after a while. This would totally be worth trying. I do have a question… do you think that you can use a candle warmer instead of a stove? Thank you for the ideas!
You definitely can Lynda but the scent will be more subtle…sounds like it could perfect for you! I hope that helps!
I love the idea of giving this as a gift:@)
Yay! I love simple DIY gifts, don’t you?!
I love doing this in my home, but never thought to give as a gift. Such a great idea! Thanks for sharing!
Thanks Heather!
I have never tried this but I am going to after this post. It just looks like fall!
I hope you love it as much as I do, it smells sooooo good!!
Hi I would like to know can I put in a slow cooker?
Love, love, love this idea! Thanks so much for the inspiration and I know it will make an amazing gift!
Happy day to you!
karianne
Thanks so much Karianne!
This is a fabulous gift idea! Pinning 🙂
I love this idea!!!! Pinning for the holidays!
Oh my goodness! What a great gift idea!!!
I love making these simmering pot scents! What a great idea to give one as a gift too!