Cozy Winter Simmer Pots: DIY Natural Home Fragrance
- Sarah
- 5 days ago
- 3 min read
There’s nothing quite like the smell of a warm, fragrant kitchen in the middle of winter. My favorite way to make a home feel cozy (without candles) is with DIY simmer pots. They’re easy to make, totally customizable, and fill your space with natural, festive aromas that make you feel instantly at home.
Whether you’re entertaining, curling up with a book, or gifting to friends, a simmer pot is a simple way to bring warmth and comfort into your home.
Why I Love Simmer Pots
Natural and chemical-free: Just dried or fresh botanicals and water.
Customizable scents: Use whatever you love — pine, orange, cinnamon, or cranberries.
Long-lasting: You can simmer a pot throughout the day and refill water as needed.
Perfect for gifting: Package your mix in a jar with a cute tag, and your friends and family get a little homemade holiday magic.
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Cozy Winter Simmer Pots: DIY Natural Home Fragrance
Ingredients You’ll Need
Pine branches
Dried orange slices
Dries apple slices
Cinnamon sticks
Whole cloves
Star anise
Cranberries (optional)
Vanilla bean (optional)
You can mix and match to create your favorite scent combination — there’s no wrong way to do it!
Let’s Make It
How to Use Your Simmer Pot
Place your simmer pot ingredients into a small saucepan or pot.
Add 2–3 cups of water.
Bring to a gentle simmer over low heat.
Let the scent fill your home, adding more water as needed.
Tip: After cooling, store leftover ingredients in the fridge for 2–3 days and re-simmer whenever you want that cozy scent again.
How to Dry Fruit for Simmer Pot Gifts
If you’re making simmer pots to gift, drying your fruit helps it last longer and keeps the jar looking beautiful.
Slice the fruit: Cut oranges, lemons, or apples into thin, even slices (about 1/4-inch thick).
Pat dry: Use a paper towel to remove excess moisture.
Dry in the oven:
Preheat oven to 200°F (95°C).
Place slices on a parchment-lined baking sheet in a single layer.
Bake 2–3 hours, flipping halfway, until the fruit is dry but slightly pliable.
Cool completely: Let the fruit cool before packing it in jars.
Store for gifting: Combine dried fruit with pine, spices, and other botanicals in a mason jar.
Tip: A dehydrator works beautifully if you want to make larger batches.
Gift Idea
Simmer pots make a thoughtful, homemade gift. Fill a mason jar with the ingredients, tie on a cute label with instructions, and you’ve got a natural, cozy gift for friends or family. You can even make themed jars — a classic pine-and-citrus mix, a spicy holiday blend with cinnamon and cloves, or a winter citrus mix with star anise and cranberries.
Printable Tags
How to:
Download the PDF from the link.
Open in a program like Adobe Acrobat or Preview.
Print at 100% scale on card stock (do not “fit to page”).
Let ink dry a few seconds, then cut, add sure ribbon and tie onto jars.
Pro Tip: Print a test page on plain paper first to check alignment.
Cozy, fragrant, and easy to make, simmer pots are the perfect way to fill your home with natural holiday magic. They’re ideal for gifting, keeping your space smelling fresh, and adding a homemade touch to your seasonal decor.
The Recipe:
Did you try making these Candied Cinnamon Pecans? We’d love to see your creations! Tag us on Instagram at Thesproutinghomestead or leave a comment below to let us know how they turned out. Happy snacking!