You know we love simmering potpourri recipes (read our posts about Simmer Scents for Autumn and Summer). Today we’re sharing our holiday simmer scents recipes! They’re a simple, cost-conscious way to make your house smell warm and comforting for the holidays using fruits and spices and without the use of harmful chemicals! They’re especially useful for anyone planning to put their home on the market soon — research shows that potential buyers can find overly complex fragrances too distracting. These natural fragrance recipes are super light and clean, a great way to make your house smell welcoming to anyone who visits this holiday season!
How to Do It
Add ingredients to a small saucepan or pot. Add water until ingredients float. Bring to a gentle boil, then immediately turn the heat down to a low simmer and enjoy your holiday simmer scents! Add more water as needed, typically about every 30 minutes (otherwise, you’ll end up with the smell of scorched food wafting through the house–YUCK).
Try these aromatic combinations for your holiday simmer scents (measurements don’t have to be exact so adjust according to your taste):
- Coffee beans, cinnamon sticks, vanilla, cardamom pods, allspice berries
- Orange peel, cloves, star anise, lemon peel, nutmeg
- Rosemary sprigs, vanilla, orange peel
Watkins All Natural Original Gourmet Baking Vanilla, with Pure Vanilla Extract, 11 ounces Bottle, 1 Count (Packaging May Vary)
- Apple slices, cinnamon sticks, cloves
McCormick Cinnamon Sticks, 8 Ounce (Pack of 1)
- Juniper berries, lemon peel, orange peel
Frontier Whole Juniper Berries, 1.28 Ounce
A Word of Warning…
Once again it should probably go without saying, but being the conscientious home stager that I am, I’m going to say it anyway: don’t leave anything burning on the stove unattended. Another (safer?) alternative is to simmer the entire mixture in a miniature slow cooker, uncovered on the “Low” setting. We like this one:
Crock-Pot 16-Ounce Little Dipper, Chrome
Save the mixture in a glass jar in the fridge when you’re done (can last several days). Just reheat the next day to re-scent your home.
Need a Little Home Staging Advice this Holiday Season?
If you’re selling your home this winter and need more tips on how to freshen up your home, Three Bears Home Staging can help! Take a look below at some of the ways we’re helping home sellers all across the country
Book an Online Consultation
We specialize in positive and empowering virtual home staging consultations! Our practical, no-nonsense advice helps homeowners sell more quickly and for more money.
Enroll in Our Online Courses
Our online courses are designed with you, the DIY homeowner, in mind. From home staging to paint color selection, we break down the process for you from start to finish!
Read Our Book
In this brand new third edition of her popular book, Just Right! Easy DIY Home Staging, professional home stager Vannessa Rhoades walks you through the step-by-step process of staging your home for a faster, more profitable sale. Available on Amazon in paperback and Kindle editions!
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