
Christmastime is my most favorite time of the year. I love every part of it. The decorating, the baking, the cooking, the entertaining, the parties, the shopping, the weather, the smells… I love it all.
I especially love my house to smell like the holidays. Sweet, spicy, warm, merry and bright.
I like to put up a big pot homemade fresh potpourri. I just let it simmer on the stove all day long. I might also mention, its non-toxic and totally natural. It fills the house with the most delicious smelling aroma.
The best part it, you can use whatever you have on hand, nut I think there are a few must-haves to get that authentic holiday smell.
Here’s what I like to use..
1 ½ cups fresh cranberries
1 orange (or 3 tangerines)
4 cinnamon sticks
1 teaspoon of cloves
2 vanilla beans – one seeded out and the other left whole
small branches of pine
1 cup of apple cider
water
Instructions
Combine all the ingredients in a medium size heavy pot. Fill the pot with water until it reaches ¾ the way full. Place the pot on the stove and bring to a gentle boil. Reduce the heat to a simmer, adding more water as needed.
**I sometimes let mine simmer for up to 4 hours and then lit cool overnight and simmer again the next day.
Just keep adding water.