DIY Simmer Pot Gift

A DIY simmer pot gift is beautiful, easy to assemble, inexpensive to make, and it’s an incredibly thoughtful gift. Who doesn’t love the smell of the holidays!? Everyone is sure to love this gift including family, friends, host and hostesses, co-workers, teachers, and more. Don’t forget to make one for yourself too. You deserve it!

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Homemade Gifts are the Best Gifts

It’s no secret that I love homemade gift ideas!  This holiday season alone, I’ve made several including:

Homemade Peppermint Bath Salts

How to Make Chocolate Dipped Spoons

Snowy Jar Candle Holders

Roasted Rosemary Cashews

Baking Soda Dough Christmas Ornaments

Homemade Vanilla Extract

Now I can add DIY Simmer Pots to the list too! 

What is a Stove-top Simmer Pot?

In a nutshell, a stove-top simmer pot is a pot filled with water, fruits, spices, and herbs that gently simmer on the stove creating a wonderful aroma that fills your home. A holiday stove-top simmer pot literally makes your home smells like the holidays. Typically a pot can simmer for several hours and up to a day or two when you are diligent about watching the water level. A simmer pot is also a nice alternative to lighting a scented candle during the holiday season.

Favorite DIY Simmer Pot Ingredients

Whether I am making a holiday DIY simmer pot for the farmhouse or making gifts, my favorite recipe includes the following:

• Fresh orange (or clementines)
• Fresh cranberries,
• Cinnamon sticks
• Star of Anise
• Cloves
• Bay leaves 
• Nutmeg
• Fresh rosemary (from the garden) 

How to Make a DIY Simmer Pot Gift

Here is everything you need to make these incredibly easy DIY simmer pot gifts. 

Makes 4 gifts.

• 4 oranges (or eight clementines), divided
• 1 12-ounce bag of fresh cranberries, divided
• 12 cinnamon sticks, divided
• 4-8 stars of anise, divided
• 1 tablespoon cloves, divided
• 1 teaspoon nutmeg or 4 nutmeg seeds, divided
• 4 bay leaves, divided
• 4-8 sprigs of fresh rosemary or pine, divided
• Clear bags or wide mouth jars
• Gift tags
• Ribbon

After gathering all the ingredients, divide them among the four bags or wide-mouth jars. Then, tie the bag up with a beautiful and festive ribbon or screw the lid on the jar and add a ribbon around the neck. Finally, tie on a little tag that includes the ingredients (in case of allergies) and instructions for your recipient to use in order to get their simmer pot started at home. You can certainly print something out, but in my book, anything handwritten is more thoughtful. I write out the following:

Holiday Simmer Pot

Ingredients: Orange, cranberries, cinnamon, cloves, star of anise, nutmeg, bay leaf, rosemary (or pine) 

Directions:

Make your home smell like the holidays! Cut the citrus into slices. In a small pot, bring 3 cups of water and the ingredients of the bag to a simmer over low heat, uncovered. Check the water periodically and add more water if it gets low. You can simmer the ingredients for about 2 days. After 2 days replace the pot with fresh ingredients. Merry Christmas! 

Holiday Simmer Pot Recipe

Prep Time: 5 minutes

Cook Time: 4 hours

Total Time: 4 hours 5 minutes

A holiday simmer pot is an easy, inexpensive, and all natural way to make your home feel cozy and inviting this holiday season. The aroma of orange, cranberries, cinnamon, cloves, star of anise, nutmeg, bay leaf, rosemary (or pine) will waft through your home creating a warm and wonderful holiday feeling inside.

Print

Ingredients

• 1 orange or 2 clementines
• 3 ounces of fresh cranberries
• 3 cinnamon sticks
• 5 star of anise
• 1 teaspoon whole cloves
• 1/4 teaspoon nutmeg
• 1 bay leaf
• 1 or 2 sprigs of rosemary or pine

Instructions

Cut the orange or clementines into slices.

In a small pot, bring 3 cups of water and the ingredients to a boil. Then, turn the heat down low to allow the ingredients to simmer, uncovered.

Check the water periodically and add more water if it gets low. You can simmer the ingredients for up to 4 hours for 1-2 days. After 2 days replace the pot with fresh ingredients. 

Notes

You can also add the water and ingredients to a small slow-cooker (crockpot) if you prefer to not use the stove.

Other Variations for a DIY Simmer Pot Gift 

Although I shared my favorite holiday simmer pot recipe with you above, you can also add in or exchange some of my favorite ingredients with other things you might like more. Including, but not limited to apple core, pear, lemon, grapefruit, cardamom pods, and pine (from the Christmas tree or outdoors). 

Rather than use a clear bag, you can also use a wide-mouth mason jar.

With the ingredients and directions tag, consider tying on a handmade baking soda Christmas ornament, a candy cane, a cinnamon stick, or a mini Christmas cookie cutter.

Gifts

“It’s not how much we give, but how much love we put into giving.” Mother Teresa

I leave you with this beautiful quote. During this season of giving, remember to give from your heart and with love. There is nothing more cherished or special during this holiday season. 

If you are looking for more holiday and farmhouse inspiration, join me on Pinterest and Instagram where I share all my latest home decor sources and styling tips, recipes, DIYs, crafts, gardening tips, and the latest happenings on the farm.