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.