Blog Categories +
Don’t you just love warm scents for winter and the holidays? I love to make simmers (here are my favorite fall simmers) and of course, candles. It’s fun to be able to customize a couple scents for the seasons with what I have on hand or am in the mood for. Here are four of my favorite simmers for winter and the holidays. Mix one up and simmer it away on your stove or in a small crockpot and you’ll be feeling festive in no time. Gather any combination of the following ingredients – you only NEED one or two things, but you can combine to your heart’s content.
Ingredient Ideas:
- lemons
- oranges
- apples
- cranberries
- cinnamon sticks
- whole cloves
- fresh herbs
- pine needles
- extracts – vanilla, almond, etc.
- essential oils (just a drop or two is all you need)
- 4 cups water
My favorite Holiday Simmers:
HOLIDAY KITCHEN
- lemons and/or oranges
- rosemary
- vanilla
CHRISTMAS POMANDER
- clove studs
- sliced oranges
HOLIDAY BAKING
- vanilla extract
- almond extract
- cinnamon sticks
- cloves
WINTER SPICE
- cranberries
- pine branches
- orange and/or lemon slices
- cinnamon sticks
Combine ingredients with water in a saucepan and put on your stove. Set heat to low and let the ingredients simmer away as long as you’d like. (Keep an eye on the water so it doesn’t boil over or scorch. Add water if you need to.)
TIP: If you have a small crockpot you can combine the ingredients and let your simmer bubble away on low all day.
This post is part of a series all about slowing down and savoring the season, SIMPLY COZY. Go here to see all the posts.
Jeanine Okio B Designs Says...
I usually simmer a pot of cinnamon sticks on my stove, but your recipes sound delish! Definitely going to try some.
Jeanine
Nadia @ Adventures in Wonderlab Says...
I love this. I am thinking about packaging some up for neighbor/friend Christmas gifts!
Jane Wilson Says...
Thanks a lot for the recipes! They are all very fragrant and a great idea for the holiday season.
John weeks Says...
Don’t throw out that old apple cider in the back of the fridge…. make moonshine or use it in one of your fall simmers , add what ever you like to it.
Erin B. Says...
I’ve tried that classic lemon, rosemary, and vanilla extract simmer a number of times during winters past, as I have a lemon tree in my yard. A tip: use imitation vanilla extract. For some reason it has a stronger and longer-lasting vanilla scent. I’d never use it for baking, but I always have it on-hand for delicious-smelling treats such as these. Great recipes!
Kari Says...
I love this idea so much. I’ve loved simmering pumpkin pie spice and water or just cinnamon and water every Christmas but I’ve never thought outside of that. I can’t wait to try these!