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Homemade gifts that scent the whole house feel extra thoughtful, and DIY stovetop potpourri simmer pot gift jar is as easy as layering pretty, fragrant bits in glass. Dried orange, warm spices and a sprig of pine turn into cozy aroma once they simmer. You stack the ingredients, tie on a label with simple directions and finish with twine. It looks boutique and comes together fast. Make one for friends, neighbors or teachers, then keep a jar for your own stove too.
Make a DIY stovetop potpourri simmer pot gift jar with dried orange, whole spices and pine. Layer in a jar, add a label and share cozy fragrance in minutes.
If you’re into crafting you may also like to make birdseed ornaments, pom pom bookmarks or citrus shower steamers. Bath bombs are fun to make too.
Why You’ll Love It
Easy: Making your own Christmas potpourri isn’t difficult, since you just need to pack the ingredients into a Weck jar and affix a label.
A great gift: Mason jar gifts are becoming increasingly popular during the holidays and you might like to make several of these after thinking about which of your family members, friends, neighbors, and colleagues might enjoy this Christmas stovetop potpourri recipe.
Smells amazing: Everybody loves Christmassy aromas like cloves, orange, pine, and cinnamon, but rather than buy synthetic wax melts, candles or potpourri you can make your own with all-natural ingredients.
Mason Jar Potpourri Ingredients
A complete list of ingredients and amounts can be found in the recipe card below.
Weck jar: Shows crisp layers, seals well and gifts neatly with a clip top (here).
Whole spices: Cinnamon sticks, whole cloves (here) and star anise (here) add warm spice and a pretty, rustic look.
Dried orange slices: Bring citrus oils for bright aroma and add color bands in the jar (here).
Pine cuttings: Lend fresh evergreen notes and a wintery look; use small, tidy sprigs.
Printable jar label: Shares simmer directions and ingredients so gifting stays simple.
Cotton twine: Secures the label and adds a handmade touch around the jar neck.
How to Make Christmas Simmering Potpourri
For more detailed instructions with weights and measurements, jump to the printable recipe card.
Add the ingredients to the jar: Add the ingredients to the jar, either tossing gently together first or arranged in layers, whichever you prefer.
Add the free printable gift tag: Print out the free printable gift tag, punch a hole near the top and use twine to tie it to the Weck jar or mason jar. Wrapping it around the jar several times looks prettier than if you just wrap it once.
Substitutions and Variations
No pine nearby: Use a few drops of pine or fir essential oil on the dried oranges instead.
Citrus swap: Try dried lemon or grapefruit for a different brightness.
Spice twist: Add cardamom pods or a small piece of dried ginger for extra warmth.
Gluten free note: The ingredients are naturally gluten free; confirm any added oils or decorations are certified if needed.
Vanilla boost: Include a mini vial of vanilla to add to the pot for round sweetness.
How to Enjoy Stovetop Potpourri
Easy method: When you’re ready to use it, simply follow the instructions on the free printable gift tag. Pour the potpourri into a saucepan suitable for a simmer pot, then fill the jar with water and add. Fill it again with water and add that too.
On the side: While you’re enjoying the festive aroma, you could enjoy some marshmallow pops, Christmas tree cupcakes, a Santa hat cocktail, or a chocolate martini!
Top Tips
Keep slices visible: Stand oranges along the glass so bands look clean.
Mind proportions: Use more citrus than pine so the scent stays bright, not resin heavy.
Pack snugly: Lightly tamp layers so pieces don’t shuffle in transit.
Label clearly: Write brief simmer steps and an ingredient list for easy use.
Dry sprigs well: Use fully dry pine so no extra moisture clouds the jar.
Christmas Stovetop Potpourri FAQs
Weck jars are similar to mason jars but they’re shorter and made from thick glass. They are also wider at the bottom (which is why they’re also known as tulip jars) unlike mason jars which are straight-sided. You can use Weck jars (here, and here) or mason jars (here) for this Christmas potpourri.
You might like to add a teaspoon of vanilla extract or peppermint extract to the potpourri while it’s on the stove. You can also use pine essential oil if you don’t have a pine tree nearby or a florist with this in stock. You might like to add a sprig of fresh rosemary to your holiday potpourri just for a splash of color.
I find that it can last up to a year if stored in a cool, dry place away from sunlight. Keep the lid tightly sealed, and toss it if it gets damp, moldy or loses its scent.
Christmas Potpourri Recipe
DIY Stovetop Potpourri Simmer Pot Gift Jar
Equipment
- Weck Jar
- Printable Jar Label
- Cardstock or Thick Paper
Supplies
To Make One Jar
- 2 Teaspoons whole cloves
- 5 Slices dried orange
- 3 Sticks cinnamon
- 1 Pod star anise
- 3 pine tree cuttings, optional
Instructions
- Add all of your ingredients into the Weck jar.
- Print the jar label. Print on cardstock for a more sturdy label.
- Cut the label out, and punch a hole in the top of the label.
- Tie the label onto the jar using cotton twine. The twine looks best if you wrap it around the jar 3 to 4 times before adding the label.
Notes
Mind proportions: Use more citrus than pine so the scent stays bright, not resin heavy.
Pack snugly: Lightly tamp layers so pieces don’t shuffle in transit.
Label clearly: Write brief simmer steps and an ingredient list for easy use.
Dry sprigs well: Use fully dry pine so no extra moisture clouds the jar.
Small sensory gifts feel memorable, and this jar smells as good as it looks. Stack citrus with cinnamon, star anise and clove, then add a touch of pine and a clear label so anyone can simmer with ease. The look is tidy, the directions are simple and the fragrance fills a space without effort. Wrap a few simmer pot jars, keep one for yourself and enjoy how a DIY stovetop potpourri simmer pot gift jar makes winter feel warm.
Other Crafts to Try
Bella Bucchiotti
Bella Bucchiotti is a Canadian-based syndicated food, travel, and lifestyle writer, photographer, and creator at xoxoBella. She founded xoxoBella in 2015, where she shares her love for food, dogs, sustainability, fitness, crafts, outdoor adventures, travel, and philanthropy to encourage others to run the extra mile, try new recipes, visit unfamiliar places, and stand for a cause. Bella creates stress-free and family-friendly recipes for weeknight dinners and festive feasts.
I’ve tried several times to download the printable tag; anything you can do to help would be amazing
hi, I just checked and it is working for me. Are you on desktop or phone or tablet?
Here is the URL if that helps
https://xoxobella.com/download/103977/?tmstv=1761233321
How long does it last on the shelf if I make it as Christmas gifts?
It can last up to a year if you keep it in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight. I recommend that you keep the lid tightly sealed, and throw it out if it becomes damp, moldy or loses its scent.