I'm always on the lookout for quick and easy homemade hostess and teacher gifts for the holiday season. And these DIY simmering potpourri jars definitely fall into that category.
The recipe is a variation of my Homemade Stovetop Potpourri, but made to be easily gifted in a mason jar. Because who doesn't love a mason jar full of holiday goodness.
I've included a printable tag you can attach so the recipient knows exactly what to do with it once they get it home.
And spoiler alert, this post is part of a blogger holiday tour sponsored by Angie from Postcards From The Ridge and if you scroll down to the bottom you will see a whole lot of other blogger's ideas for Christmas gifts and home decor!
(This post contains some affiliate links for your convenience. You can read my full disclosure policy here.)
DIY Simmering Potpourri Gift
Ingredients Per Jar:
3-4 Orange Slices
3-4 Apple Slices
1 Tablespoon Cloves
2 Cinnamon Sticks
¼ Cup Cranberries - dried or fresh (fresh looks more festive, dried will last longer)
Wide Mouth Mason jar - pint sized
Printable Gift Tags With Instructions (you can download below)
(Just a note about buying cinnamon sticks - if you buy the jar of cinnamon sticks in the spices aisle of your grocery store, there is normally only 4-5 cinnamon sticks in the jar. I found bags of cinnamon sticks in the fruit and veggie section that had roughly 12-15 sticks in the bags for the same price. Not that cinnamon sticks are expensive or anything, but I try to save a few bucks here and there when I can.)
Instructions:
Dry your fruit (instructions for drying your apples and oranges in the oven is included below). This is VERY simple to do, but will take a couple hours, so pop on a holiday movie and grab a cup of cocoa while the fruit is in the oven.
Layer your oranges slices in the bottom of the mason jar.
Followed by your apples slices and topped with your cinnamon sticks.
Sprinkle your cloves and cranberries over the top.
As mentioned in the ingredients, dried cranberries will last longer, but there's nothing like the pop of red from the fresh cranberries to liven up the jars. Your choice, but I used fresh cranberries in my photos.
Print out your gift tags, attach to the top of the jar by cute baker's twine and you are a gifting goddess.
How To Dry Fruit In the Oven For Christmas Potpourri And Crafts
Pre-heat oven to 200 degrees
Line baking sheet with parchment paper
Cut your apples and oranges into ¼" thin slices, discarding the ends of the fruit.
Pat the slices with a paper towel to remove excess moisture and place fruit on the baking sheet.
Bake for 3-4 hours until the slices are mostly dry to the touch, yet not shriveled up brown messes that you have to throw in the trash (been there, done that, I'll blame it on a rather enchanting Hallmark movie).
Your dried fruit can be used in potpourri, Christmas ornaments, strung as a garland for your tree or used in your holiday wreath.
Free printable simmering potpourri gift tags
Since some people prefer to work with PDFs and some prefer JPEGs (photos), I've attached two separate ways to download the tags. So just pick your preference, download them and print them out on white paper or cardstock.
Click HERE to download printable gift tags in PDF form
Click HERE to download printable gift tags in JPEG form
I hope you enjoy making this holiday gift as much as I did!
Christmas Ideas Tour
Are you ready for more ideas? Here are some great ones for your mantel, porch, table, plus handmade gift ideas and gift wrap ideas.
Lots and lots of great Christmas inspiration here! Just click on the blog name to visit each one.
Mantels
Porches & Decks
Tablescape Ideas
Handmade Gift Ideas
Gift Wrap Ideas
Other Posts You may Enjoy:
How To Make Cloved Oranges For The Holidays
Lemon And Rosemary DIY Stovetop Fragrance
DIY Birdseed Suet Cakes
Bliss
Pinned. I gotta make this and I gotta gift it!
Jen
These are really cute- the jars, and the labels! I try to buy canning jars from garage sales, and lids when they are on sale in the summer!
Patti
Pam, this is one of my favorite things to make and gift. I usually made my in a bag but I really like your idea of using a small mason jar. You can never have too many jars and really it's a gift within a gift.
Michelle Leslie
Oh my I bet these smell like heaven and I love making gifts for Christmas so this is perfect timing. Thank you Pam
Linda @ Itsy Bits And Pieces
Love this, Pam! Pinned!
taryterre
this is a great idea. love it.
Kim
Love it, Pam! I can almost smell it from here....mmmm....
[email protected]
What a wonderful gift idea! Who wouldn't want to simmer this on their stove to make their house smell good? I like how you packaged this in Mason jars and love the tags that you designed.
Lora Bloomquist
My mom had some of this simmering last time I was at her home and it smelled so wonderful! She always used to do this when I was growing up, but I had totally forgotten. I love this idea of making it gift-able and love the presentation. Thanks for the idea! Pinned and totally doing myself:) Fun hopping with you!
Susie | Chelsea Project
I am so inspired to actually make these!!! Not just bucket list them....but to get that sweet aroma wafting through my home and my friends homes, too. Looks fabulous, Pam.
Lynn Spencer
Hi Pam,
As much as I love a good simmering potpourri, I know it will be a great gift as well. It is so simple, yet something people don't typically make for themselves.
Thanks for the inspiration.
Hugs,
Lynn
Linda Johnston
I love having the scents of Christmas all around our home. this is a wonderful idea for a simple gift! Thank you for the detailed instruction too. Merry Christmas!
Maryann
I bet this smells amazing! I want to make these for gifts and for myself!
Cindy
Pam, your jars are beautiful and I'll bet it smells amazing! What a great hostess gift idea! Pinned ❤
Angie @ Postcards from the Ridge
Pam, this is such a pretty and thoughtful gift idea. And I'm sure it smells amazing! Love the printable tags too.
Laurie @ Vinyet Etc
This is such an amazing gift idea! The charm of handmade gifts make the receiver feel so special, just beautiful!
Christy @ Our Southern Home
I love this idea! So simple, will smell great and a fabulous presentation!
Liz
On my stove right now and this smells SO good!! I packaged it up in treat bags and used dried cranberries. So cute
Pam Kessler
So glad you liked it!