Christmas Simmer Pot gift Recipe

A Thoughtful Last‑Minute Gift idea for Hosts, Teachers, Friends & Neighbours

If you haven’t heard of a Christmas simmer pot yet, you’re in for a true sensory treat. I love creating a cozy home using all-natural scents like essential oils, and this holiday season I’m adding a Christmas simmer pot recipe to our traditions as a simple, synthetic-free way to make the home feel festive and welcoming.

What is a Christmas Simmer Pot?

A Christmas simmer pot is a simple blend of natural, aromatic ingredients usually inspired by the season, gently simmered in water on the stovetop, woodstove, or in a slow cooker. As the ingredients warm, they release a beautiful, layered scent that fills your home for hours.

I had heard of people simmering cinnamon sticks on the stove for scent, but this recipe goes so much deeper. The combination of citrus, warm spices, and evergreens creates a truly festive, nostalgic Christmas aroma.

This year, I decided to gift my Christmas Cheer Simmer Pot Gift Recipe to my kids’ teachers and a few friends and neighbours. The kids and I also sold these at a friend’s Homeschool Handmade Christmas Market and they turned out even better than I ever imagined!

Why Christmas Simmer Pots Make the Perfect Gift

• Naturally fragrant (no synthetic scents)
• Thoughtful and handmade
• Budget‑friendly
• Easy to customize for the season
• Perfect for hosts, teachers, neighbours, and last‑minute gifting

Each bag cost me about $4 CAD/$3 USD in ingredients to make, making this an affordable yet heartfelt gift.

A Note on Preparation (Start Early!)

I recommend starting at least a couple of weeks ahead, especially if you plan to dehydrate your own fruit.

I chose to fully dehydrate all fresh ingredients so nothing would mold before the gifts were used. Since I don’t own a dehydrator yet (although I definitely have my eye on this one!), I used my oven on the lowest possible setting. Drying the oranges and cranberries took a couple of full days at home.

If you’re gifting these, I strongly recommend dehydrating the fruit rather than using fresh. Your gifts will last longer and stay beautiful.

Christmas Cheer Simmer Pot gift Recipe

Tools:

*click on blue text below to find the products online

• clear plastic bags (I used cone shaped bags)
• jute twine or ribbons to tie bags
• crafting scissors
• gift tags (download my Free Printable Gift Tags Here)

Ingredients (per bag): Quantities are approximate. You can modify to suit what you have on hand.

• 10 whole peppercorns (I love these tri colour peppercorns in Christmas Colours!)
• 8 whole cloves
• 6 star anise pods
• 10 dried cranberries – Fresh are usually on sale for very reasonable prices around the holidays
• 2 cinnamon sticks
• 3 dried orange slices – you can buy these pre dehydrated but won’t be able to guarantee how much scent they provide in your simmer pots
• 2 small foraged juniper branches (substitutes can be pine and or cedar)

Seasonal Simmer Pot Variations to try

Fresh Spring Day
Lemon slices, lime slices, rosemary sprigs

Warm Summer Evening
Peppercorns, lemon slices, lime slices, lavender buds, thyme

Crisp Autumn Afternoon
Cloves, bay leaves, dried apple slices, cinnamon sticks

Cozy Winter Morning
Coffee beans, pine sprigs, cranberries, grapefruit slices

How to Use a Christmas Simmer Pot

1. Fill a pot or slow cooker with about 3 cups of water.
2. Place pot on stovetop or woodstove (if not using slow cooker)
3. Add the simmer pot ingredients to pot with water.
4. Bring pot to a boil, then immediately reduce heat to low.
5. Let simmer gently for several hours.
6. Check the water level every 60 minutes, adding more water as needed.

Extra Tips & Notes

• Use a simmer pot for no more than one to two days. After that, the ingredients lose their scent and may begin to mold.
• Star anise is the most expensive ingredient. Feel free to reduce or omit it to lower costs while still keeping a lovely scent.
• If using cone‑shaped bags, add the smallest ingredients first for easier filling.
• You can also add 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract directly to the simmer pot water while using it at home (this does not work for gifting dried ingredients obviously).
• Use ingredients that you already have in your pantry to create your own custom blend.
• If gifting, test the recipe at home first so you can adjust the balance of scents.
• I’m planning on using this Christmas Cheer Simmer Pot Recipe on our woodstove when we have our annual family get together later this month. Prep one to try out for your own next holiday get together.
• If you like the idea of handmaking your gifts, also see my recipes for Natural Chest Rub for Congestion, Peppermint Cocoa Natural Deodorant, and Natural Toothpaste.

Safety reminder: Keep simmer pots out of reach of children. Make sure kids know the pot is not for touching or eating, and never leave it unattended.

This Christmas Simmer Pot Recipe is now one of my favourite simple, natural, holiday traditions and I hope it becomes one of yours too. Let me know in the comments if you have any additional ingredients you love to include in your simmer pots.

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