When it comes to decorating for the holidays, I am all about creating a sensory experience so it really feels, smells, and looks like Christmas. When it comes to smell, it’s so easy to set a festive tone by using seasonal notes like red currants, cinnamon sticks, oranges, and some vanilla. It will light up your home’s ambiance and make it smell like a warm hug especially if you’re planning on having guests over.
I’ve tried everything from candles to diffusers, and although they may smell great, their scent doesn’t travel farther than one or two rooms. I also noticed that the scent only lingers for a short time and as a person who loves hosting for hours, I want my home to smell just as nice at the end as it did at the beginning.
So believe me when I tell you, I’ve found the best and most affordable trick to making your home smell like Christmas all winter long.
Create a Simmer Pot
Making a simmer pot is my go-to when I want to refresh my home or make it smell absolutely delicious, so I can set an inviting and pleasant atmosphere. Depending on what ingredients I already have at home, I usually use any fruits I may have like apples, oranges, pears, and limes.
I personally love including any type of citrus since it really brightens the overall scent, making it fresher in the house. Then, I include spices, whether it’s cinnamon sticks (these last longer), cloves, bay leaves, or rosemary. The spices perfectly blend in with the fruits and create a layered scent that feels warm and cozy.
Once those are all ready to go, I put them in a pot with some water and let it simmer for a couple of hours on very low heat. This helps everything infuse together and create a pleasant smell throughout your home. Whenever the water starts to get low, just add some more and keep it simmering for as long as you want!
You’ll begin to notice that the smell becomes fainter after about four to six hours, but you can keep adding additional ingredients if you want to scent to stay strong.
Want more cleaning and organizing tips? Sign up for our free daily newsletter for the latest hacks, expert advice, and more!
My Favorite Simmer Pot Recipes
Below, I share my favorite simmer pot recipes that are versatile enough for any occasion whether it’s a dinner party or you’re having a couple of friends over. The warm and subtle one is perfect for creating a cozy setting and the bright and playful one will bring an exuberant energy.
Warm and Subtle
- Cranberries
- Oranges
- Cinnamon Sticks
- Rosemary
- Cloves
Bright and Playful
- Lemons
- Limes
- Oranges
- Bay Leaves
- Mint
- Thyme
Best Tips for Creating a Simmer Pot
- Have fun with it. It can be daunting to know where and how to start when you want to create a simmer pot, but have fun with it by experimenting with different ingredients you already have or think will be complement each other. It may take a bit of trial and error, but you’ll find your special scent in no time.
- Always remember to have enough water. Since your simmer pot should be on low heat, it may take a while for the water to evaporate so you can definitely step away. However, don’t leave it completely unattended. Make sure you check on it occasionally to monitor the water level, or your ingredients may end up burning and making your home smell like smoke—the opposite of what you want to accomplish.
- Don’t forget to set it on the low heat setting. It can be tempting to increase your heat setting higher when it doesn’t instantly start smelling like anything, but make sure to be patient and wait for everything to fuse together.
