Easy semi-homemade gifts to give this year including a favorite that I make every year. Christmas stovetop potpourri in jars is so pretty and colorful, making the whole house smell good! It’s as easy to put a few together as it is to open the jar, slice the orange, and toss the rest of the jar into a simmer pot or sauce pan over low heat. Your house will smell soooo Christmassy! The aroma will put you in the holiday mood for sure.
These are perfect for a few friends and neighbors. And while you’re at it, make a few for yourself too so that you’ll have them on hand when you want your house to smell so delicious. Delicious is seriously the best way I can describe it! I store a few in the refrigerator and use them when people are coming or when I just want to enjoy it myself.
Here’s what you need for the stove top potpourri recipe for an easy semi-homemade Christmas gift
The ingredients:
- Clean glass jars with a lid (large enough to fit in a small orange or tangerine)
- A bag of fresh cranberries
- Cinnamon sticks
- Whole cloves
- Star Anise
- Cardamom Pods
- Oranges (small enough to fit in the jar)
- Twine or ribbon to tie around the jars
Instructions for easy homemade stove top Christmas potpourri
I like to use the taller Le Parfait Glass Jam Jars from The Container Store. I did swap out the lids for the red checked Bon Maman jam jars. Mason jars will also work.
To the jar, simply add one orange (or tangerine), a few cranberries, cinnamon sticks, cloves, star anise, and cardamom pods. Put the lid on and wrap a few layers of twine or ribbon around the bottom of the lid.
Prep time takes about 5 minutes and total time is not more than 10 or 15 minutes.
Can I substitute for any of the ingredients?
You can customize the ingredients you add to the jars based on the scents you like best. You could use lemons, grapefruit, or other citrus fruits instead of oranges. You may prefer apples too. Whole allspice or whole nutmeg would also work. You could try a sprig or two of pine branches as well.
Easy semi-homemade gifts to give this year also include Tea & Shortbread boxes
This makes a nice holiday gift or any time of year. It’s also a great little package to send to someone under the weather or for just thinking of you package!
My daughter and I love hot cinnamon tea and this one is so similar to the tea we have at the Carlyle. This year we went for tea on Madeline’s birthday and we both ordered cinnamon spice tea just like every single time! Even in the summer! Of course, I will be giving Madeline a tin of tea in her stocking.
I love to drink tea from a proper cup. You could certainly include a mug (there are so many fun monogrammed mug options), but I like a porcelain cup for drinking tea and these are from Williams Sonoma.
Of course, I had to include a little jar (or two) of honey and some homemade shortbread cookies wrapped up with bakers twine. A small box of Walker’s Shortbread would work too!
Mary Ann Pickett says
Annie, I love these ideas…and they are gifts I would LOVE to receive. So clever! I’ve been a bit under the weather and drinking mint tea…but I’d love some cinnamon. My mom would have loved your tea box. She was crazy about shortbread cookies…I should send your idea to my sister sho would appreciate it equally. Merry Christmas and thanks for organizing us!
cindy says
Well, I knew yours would be amazing. That gift box! I really need to up my game next year. I love the presentation…absolute perfection. But, I would expect nothing less from the only DIYer I know that has such great style. I am so glad you coaxed Mary Ann and me into this. You are the queen of DIYing!
Gayle Olson says
Love the post. My family has gone back to relish trays after inheriting some divided Crystal relish trays from Mom some years ago. I like the way you presented yours, very modern and fun!
annie diamond says
I see those crystal relish trays quite often…I think soon they might be harder to find once everyone is on the trend!
Sheri Silver says
As usual my friend you have NAILED it – simple, gorgeous, different and appropriate for anybody! Love it!
annie diamond says
Sheri! I added the whole orange after you gave me one last year…like why had I not thought to do that?? ha
Mary from Life at Bella Terra says
MaryAnn, Oh this looks wonderful and easy. I will definitely try this and I’m sure it will smell heavenly. Thanks for such a fun gift!
annie diamond says
Oh, I hope you do try it, Mary!
Susan says
Annie, how much water should be added to the potpourri when putting it on the stove to simmer?
annie diamond says
Hi Susan,
I add quite a bit, so I don’t have to worry about it drying out. I use a smaller pot but add more water. I will pay better attention next time so that I have a more definitive answer!