Holiday Potpourri
The number one question we get during the holidays is "how can I make my home feel more like the holidays?". Answer: HOLIDAY SCENTS! Believe it or not, this little tip will make the biggest difference in your home during the holiday months.
There’s nothing like that homey smell after entering your house after a storm. Ever heard of potpourri? I hadn't either but you guys.... You NEED this in your life. You’ll have your home smelling more welcoming with hints of cinnamon and apple cider, perfect for sipping on hot cocoa near the fireplace while watching a movie as a family.
This potpourri recipe smells so good! If I could, I’d have fall and Christmas scents throughout my house all year round. I’m totally obsessed with holiday candles, but I thought I’d give potpourri a chance this year to design my own scent. I decided to venture out and try something new and now I’m totally hooked.
I went with a woodsy smell for this one because I love the natural smell of the great outdoors, especially for fall. To get started, I actually went outside to find fresh elements of the outdoors by picking some pine and pine cones off of my neighbor’s tree (thanks neighbor!). My local store didn’t have fresh cranberries because I went searching in the middle of July, but these are so yummy if you have better luck than me and track them down. I would prefer to incorporate cranberries into this recipe.
Ingredients
- 1 1/2 cups fresh cranberries; 3 tangerines halved
- 3 whole cinnamon sticks
- 1 teaspoon whole cloves
- 1-inch piece fresh ginger
- 1 tablespoon vanilla bean + 1 vanilla extract
- 1 small fresh pine branch
- 2-3 real pinecones
- 1 cup apple cider pomegranate or cranberry juice
- water
Instructions:
Combine all the ingredients in a medium size sauce pot. Fill the pot with water until it reaches 3/4 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 let mine simmer for close to 4 hours and then let it cool overnight and simmer again the next day. Just be sure to keep adding more water.
I’d recommend doing this over a weekend, so you’re home when it’s simmering. It’s totally worth it in the end, since you’ll have a better smelling home for days.
And just like that your home smells and feels more like the holidays! The best and easiest trick in the book!
HAPPY HOLIDAYS!
XOXO
Walker Edison