How to Make Your Home Smell Like Christmas (Simple Natural Simmer Pot Recipe)
Simple, natural, and cozy — no candles required.
There are so many things I love about Christmas, but one of the most underrated joys of the season is scent.
The moment the house fills with warm cinnamon, sweet citrus, and fresh evergreen, something magical happens. The lights feel warmer.
The living room feels cozier. Even an ordinary Tuesday night suddenly feels festive.
For years, I tried every holiday candle under the sun — until I discovered the magic of simmer pots.
Now, instead of burning an artificial scent, I use real ingredients from my kitchen to make my home smell like Christmas in the most natural and nostalgic way. It’s simple, it’s inexpensive, and honestly, it’s one of my favorite holiday rituals.
If you’ve never tried a simmer pot before, you are in for a treat. Today I’m sharing the exact blend I use every year, plus easy variations and tips you can try all season long.
✨ What Is a Simmer Pot?
Think of a simmer pot as stovetop potpourri. It’s a blend of fruit, herbs, and spices simmered gently in water so the scent fills your entire home. The best part?
Everything can be found in your kitchen — no chemicals, no aerosols, and no overpowering perfume smell.
There’s something so peaceful about seeing slices of oranges, cinnamon sticks, and fresh rosemary floating in a tiny pot on the stove.
It looks beautiful, smells amazing, and doesn’t require any effort once it’s going.
If you prefer a cleaner, more natural home, a simmer pot is the easiest way to add fragrance without sprays, plugins, or expensive candles.
(Insert photo of ingredients or sliced oranges)
My Favorite Christmas Simmer Pot
This is the recipe I make every year. It has a warm, sweet, cozy Christmas smell with just a hint of fresh greenery. It’s not too strong or spicy — just perfectly festive.
You’ll need:
- 1 orange, sliced
- 1–2 cinnamon sticks
- A few whole cloves
- Fresh rosemary or any fresh herbs you have on hand!
- A handful of cranberries
- Water
You can use whatever you already have at home, but the combination of orange + cinnamon + rosemary really does smell like Christmas morning. For this simmer pot, I actually added in what I had growing in my herb garden: thyme and thai basil.
✅ Step-by-Step: How to Make It
- Fill a small pot halfway with water.
- Add sliced oranges
- Add cinnamon sticks and cloves
- Add rosemary and optional cranberries
- Bring the water to a gentle boil
- Lower the heat to a simmer
- Let it cook for as long as you’d like — usually 2–4 hours
- Add more water as it evaporates
That’s it. The scent slowly travels through the kitchen, then the living room, and eventually the whole house smells like you’ve been baking something delicious all day.
If someone stops by, they will immediately ask what you have cooking.
(Insert photo of simmer pot on stove)
Why I Love Simmer Pots More Than Candles
I still love candles, especially during the holidays, but there’s something special about the simplicity of a simmer pot. It feels old-fashioned in the best way — like something your grandmother would’ve done while cooking for Christmas.
Here’s why they’re my favorite:
- Completely natural — just fruit, herbs, and spices
- Safer if you have kids or pets
- The scent is warm and inviting, not artificial
- Ingredients are inexpensive
- Lasts for hours
- Makes the kitchen look cozy
And unlike a candle, you don’t have to worry about soot or harsh fragrance. It’s just pure, comforting, subtle scent that fills every room.
Want a Different Scent? Try These Variations
Once you make a simmer pot once, you’ll want to experiment. Here are simple scent blends you can swap or mix depending on your mood.
Classic Christmas
- Orange slices
- Cinnamon sticks
- Rosemary or pine
- Whole cloves
Gingerbread House
- Cinnamon
- Whole cloves
- Nutmeg
- Vanilla extract
- A tiny spoonful of brown sugar
Smells like cookies in the oven.
Winter Woods
- Pine or cedar cuttings
- Rosemary
- Bay leaf
- Star anise
Fresh, woodsy, calming — perfect if your decor leans neutral and nature-inspired.
Sugared Cranberry
- Cranberries
- Orange
- Vanilla
- Cinnamon
Bright and sweet, with a beautiful ruby-red simmer.
Peppermint Hot Cocoa
- A drop of peppermint extract
- A teaspoon of cocoa powder
- Vanilla bean
- Cinnamon stick
Yes, your house will smell like Christmas at a coffee shop.
(Affiliate link spices, extracts, star anise, dried orange slices, vanilla, whole spice set)
Can You Reuse a Simmer Pot?
Yes! Just let it cool, store the mix in a glass jar, and refrigerate. You can usually reuse it for another day or two. When you’re ready, add fresh water and simmer again.
If you want, you can also run the same mixture in a slow cooker on low — great for hosting or holiday gatherings. With a lid slightly open, it works beautifully and doesn’t require stove space.
(Affiliate link mini slow cooker)
Make It a Cute Christmas Gift
This is one of my favorite holiday hostess or neighbor gifts. It’s thoughtful, inexpensive, and feels so personal.
Here’s how:
- Fill a mason jar with dried oranges, cinnamon sticks, cloves, and rosemary sprigs
- Add a handful of cranberries if gifting fresh
- Tie a pretty ribbon around the lid
- Add a little tag with instructions
It looks beautiful and smells amazing the second it simmers — and it feels like something homemade without actually cooking.
(Affiliate links for mason jars, ribbon, printable tags)
(Insert photo of ingredients in a jar or styled flat-lay)
Tips for the Best Christmas Simmer Pot
- Keep heat low — you want a gentle simmer, not a boil
- Add more water every hour or so
- Use whole spices; ground spices don’t smell as clean
- If you have a real Christmas tree, clip a branch to add to the pot
- Don’t leave the simmer pot unattended
These little details make a big difference in how long the scent lasts and how strong it is.
Try It & Let Me Know What You Think
If you make this simmer pot, I would love to hear which scent blend you tried. Tag me on Instagram @natalielindahome
or leave a comment so I can see your Christmas kitchen moments!
Shop My Favorite Ingredients + Tools:
(link board, pot, spices, glass jars, cinnamon sticks, cutting board)
More Christmas Posts You’ll Love:
- Green + Gold Living Room Christmas Tour
- Christmas Coffee Bar Ideas
- Quick Kitchen Decorating for the Holidays