Gift in a Jar – Cozy Holiday Simmer Pot

Here’s another quick and simple gift in a jar for friends, family, neighbours, and teachers! Simmer pots are a lovely way to give the whole home a warm and cozy holiday aroma – there’s just something magical about the scents of the holidays!

Why I Love Simmer Pots

Simmer pots are one of my favourite ways to freshen the house naturally. They are simply a collection of natural aromatics (herbs, spices, and other dried plants), simmered in pot of water on low heat for a few hours. Unlike artificial air fresheners, these release real, homey scents without the chemicals. All of the ingredients are biodegradable, and you’re left with a mason jar you can reuse over and over again!

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Some Tips on Giving a Gift in a Jar

• Use a wide mouth jar! Sometimes you need to get your fist or a pestle in there and smush stuff down to make it all fit. 
• Check your math. Add up the dry ingredients in your recipe and choose your jar size accordingly.
• Check your math again! Scale up the dry goods you need based on the number of jars you are making. Relive the middle school trauma of multiplying fractions. This way you don’t run out of sugar or end up with 5 extra pounds of oats.
• Head to the bulk section. I like to get ingredients for this kind of project in jars because I can accurately gauge the amount. I got everything I needed for this project at my local bulk store, including the jar!
• Set up an assembly line, one ingredient at a time for all the jars. A jar funnel is your special helper!
• You can jazz up the lid with scrap fabric, craft paper, leftover yarn, etc.
• Attach a tag with baking/cooking/using instructions. (I typically never put who it’s from on the tag. If it isn’t the recipient’s jam, they are free to regift it that way if they like.)

Cozy Holiday Simmer Pot Recipe

In a half pint (250 ml) glass jar, combine the following:

• evergreen leaves (e.g. cedar, pine or spruce needles)
• cinnamon sticks
• dried orange slices
• rosemary
• dried cranberries

These items come together to create a cozy, natural aroma for perfect holiday vibes. Feel free to swap in other ingredients such as cloves or star anise.

Attach a handmade tag (made from recycled paper or a repurposed greeting card) with these directions:

1. To use, empty the contents into a small saucepan and cover generously with water.
2. Simmer on low and compost when finished.

It’s really that easy! Gift the gift of coziness and warmth this holiday season.