Welcome to a Handcrafted Holiday, a holiday series where I share simple homemade gift ideas to help you slow down, savour simple joys, and show our loved ones just how much we care. But as a busy mom juggling the rhythms of homestead life, it can feel overwhelming to create thoughtful gifts that don’t break the bank or drain our precious time. This year, let’s embrace the beauty of handcrafted gifts, starting with the humble yet magical simmer pot.
Simmer pots are a blend of dried fruits, spices, and herbs that fill the home with comforting scents when gently simmered on the stove. They’re simple to make, affordable, and a perfect way to add a personal touch to your holiday gifting. But more than that, they’re a way to give the gift of ambiance—a cozy, welcoming atmosphere that feels like a warm hug.
Crafting Your Simmer Pot Gifts
Creating simmer pot blends couldn’t be easier. You likely already have most of the ingredients in your pantry or garden. Dried fruits like oranges, lemons, apples, and pears bring vibrant color and natural fragrance. Spices such as cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves, and cardamom add depth, while herbs like rosemary, sage, and thyme infuse an earthy touch. For a festive twist, don’t forget cranberries—they lend a bright pop of color and a hint of tartness.
Choose from one of the recipes below, or mix and match to create your own signature blend:
- Festive Cheer: Oranges, apples, cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves, and rosemary.
- Christmas Hearth: Oranges, lemons, pine, cinnamon, cardamom, and thyme.
- Winter Warmth: Pears, apples, cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves, and sage.
- Citrus Cleanse: Lemons, oranges, thyme, rosemary, and sage.
- Autumn Harvest: Apples, pears, cinnamon, cloves, rosemary, and pine.
- Herbal Tranquility: Lemons, oranges, sage, rosemary, thyme, and cardamom.
- Holiday Cranberry Spice: Cranberries, oranges, cinnamon, cloves, rosemary, and nutmeg.
1. Festive Cheer
A warm, inviting scent with fruity and spicy notes perfect for holiday gatherings or festive spirits.
- 2 dried orange slices
- 2 dried apple slices
- 1 cinnamon stick
- 1 whole nutmeg, lightly cracked
- 4 cloves
- A small sprig of rosemary
2. Christmas Hearth
A classic Christmas blend that brings the scent of pine, warmth, and nostalgia.
- 2 dried orange slices
- 1 dried lemon slice
- 1 sprig pine or fir (or substitute with rosemary if needed)
- 1 cinnamon stick
- 3 cardamom pods, lightly crushed
- 1 sprig thyme
3. Winter Warmth
A cozy, warming blend to fill the home with comforting winter spices and citrus notes.
- 2 dried pear slices
- 1 dried apple slice
- 1 cinnamon stick
- 1 whole nutmeg, cracked slightly
- 5 cloves
- 1 sprig sage
4. Citrus Cleanse
A refreshing and clean scent, perfect for bringing a fresh, crisp aroma into your home.
- 3 dried lemon slices
- 2 dried orange slices
- 1 sprig thyme
- 1 sprig rosemary
- 1 small sprig sage (optional)
5. Autumn Harvest
Earthy and rich with fruit and spice, perfect for autumn and to create a cozy atmosphere.
- 2 dried apple slices
- 2 dried pear slices
- 1 cinnamon stick
- 4 cloves
- 1 small sprig rosemary
- A few dried pine needles or sprig of fresh pine if available
6. Herbal Tranquility
A calming, herbaceous blend with subtle citrus for a clean and peaceful atmosphere.
- 2 dried lemon slices
- 1 dried orange slice
- 1 sprig sage
- 1 sprig rosemary
- 1 sprig thyme
- 2-3 cardamom pods, lightly crushed
7. Holiday Cranberry Spice
A festive, fruity blend with bright cranberries and warming spices for a cheery holiday aroma.
- 1/4 cup dried cranberries
- 2 dried orange slices
- 1 cinnamon stick
- 4 whole cloves
- 1 sprig rosemary
- 1/2 teaspoon grated nutmeg (or a small piece of whole nutmeg)
Once you’ve chosen your blend, portion the ingredients into small jars, clear bags, or thrifted containers tied with twine or ribbon. Add a handwritten tag with simmering instructions: “Add all ingredients to a pot, cover with water, and simmer on low heat. Keep water topped off as needed to maintain the scent.”
Making It a Complete Gift
Turn your simmer pot into a thoughtful gift set, by carefully pairing it with other simple, handcrafted or thrifted items:
- Thrifted Mugs or Teacups: Wrap a cozy mug in tissue paper and tuck it alongside the simmer pot blend for a complete cozy-at-home vibe.
- Homemade Treats: Include a small tin of cookies, a jar of local honey, or a batch of homemade cocoa mix.
- Candles: Add a hand-poured soy candle or a thrifted candle holder to amplify the ambiance.
- A Thoughtful Note: Write a heartfelt message about slowing down during the season, making it personal and meaningful.
Bundle everything together in a basket or gift bag, and you’ve got a heartfelt, affordable gift that feels luxurious.
The Beauty of Handcrafted
As homesteaders, we know the joy of creating something from scratch. A handcrafted gift doesn’t just save money; it carries the essence of care, creativity, and connection. In gifting a simmer pot, you’re sharing more than a blend of ingredients—you’re offering a moment of peace, a breath of comfort, and the inspiration to pause and savor the season.
This holiday, let’s embrace simplicity and thoughtfulness. Whether it’s for a neighbor, teacher, or loved one, these simmer pots will make their home smell amazing and their heart feel full. So, gather your dried fruits, spices, and herbs, and let’s craft a holiday season filled with warmth and love—one simmer pot at a time.
What blend will you try first? Share your creations in the comments—I’d love to see how you make these gifts uniquely yours!