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I don’t know about you, but I love the smell of Christmas. Give someone the gift of a Christmas scent (homemade holiday potpourri) this holiday season!
Fresh pine, cinnamon, vanilla, and orange. So fresh, yet so cozy. To me, there’s nothing better than a snow day and a pot of homemade potpourri simmering on the stove. It’s winter perfection.
Last Christmas, I made potpourri in a pot for us all to enjoy, but this year I thought, why not take those scents and turn them into a gift for all our friends and family to enjoy as well. I know, I know, I am just so nice…right. Seriously though, this is such a quick and simple gift, I cannot believe I never thought of it before!
I have customized these cute little bags to my liking, but feel free to use a little more of this and a little less of that so that your Christmas scent is just PERFECT for you.
I also used fresh cranberries and oranges in my bag. Since I will be gifting these bags to Asher teachers tomorrow, I stored them in the fridge. If you would prefer, you can make these using all dried fruits, and then you don’t have to worry about the fruit going bad. For me, the fresh cranberries and oranges make a huge difference both in appearance and in smell, just sayin.
OKAY, and now for a fun/sort of serious part of this post. In keeping with my goal to really try to give back this December, today I have partnered with ZWILLING J.A. Henckels (aka my bestest buddies) to gift THREE readers one of my FAVORITE Staub pots. I’m pretty excited about it, AND you get to choose your favorite color (my favorites are the matte black and grenadine)! I know, so fun!
Staub is hands down my all time favorite cookware. Their pots, skillets, and dishware are honestly the best. I know you guys will LOVE this Staub Cast Iron 4 Quart Cocotte. It’s the pot I use most in the kitchen!! Love it!
While I am so excited to be gifting you guys some of my favorite cookware, I am also really excited to share a little info about the charity I am giving to this week. My mom has always made a point to give back, especially around Christmas. This year, she has really inspired me to give back myself, and today I wanted to chat a little about a charity I think is pretty close to a lot of people’s hearts.
St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital works day and night to help save the lives of thousands of children battling cancer. Cancer is something that has probably affected most us in some way or another. I know it has greatly affected my family. This is one of the many reasons I feel so lucky to be able to give back and help support such an amazing organization like St. Jude’s.
I was laying in bed the other night finishing up some work, I think it was like 11:45 pm and I was so ready for bed, but me being me, I just couldn’t go to sleep without a little something fun. At least for a few minutes of a Christmas movie was a must. I told myself I would only watch ten minutes, but of course, I picked one of those sappy, tear-filled Hallmark Christmas movies. A huh, you know what I’m talking about.
Anyway, long story short, the movie was about a young boy with leukemia. His mother wrote a blog about their journey, staying at St. Jude’s, and the everyday ups and downs. To say that it was intense is an understatement. I totally cried my way through the ending, but even though the story was so sad, it was also very upbeat and positive at the same time. It’s hard to explain, and I am a horrible story-teller, but the point is that it really made you think and be grateful and so happy for what you have, you know?
I really could not think of a better organization to donate to this Christmas. Kids are everything, full of innocence, energy, and life. Knowing that by giving, even just a little, I can help to fund research that can potentially help save lives, is a great feeling.
So today I am encouraging you all to give a little back too, if it’s at all possible! Please check out the St. Jude’s Website, watch the videos, learn about the kids, and learn how you can help save a life.
Sorry if that all totally sounds like an ad, BUT it’s Christmas, and it’s a time for giving, not just receiving… of course that’s fun too!
To enter the Staub GIVEAWAY: tell me what is on your bucket list of things you MUST do before Christmas? Do you want to go ice skating? Bake pounds of Christmas Cookies? Decorate Gingerbread houses? Make Homemade Holiday Potpourri for gifting?
Leave your answer in the comments and I will pick THREE winners one week from today!! Oh, and if you do decide to give to St. Jude’s, please email me or let me know in the comments. I will send you a big internet hug! 🙂
Happy potpourri making friends!
Christmas Potpourri.
Servings: 1 BAG HOMEMADE CHRISTMAS POTPOURRI
Nutritional information is only an estimate. The accuracy of the nutritional information for any recipe on this site is not guaranteed.
Ingredients
- 1 1/2 cups fresh cranberries OR 1/2 cup dried cranberries
- 2-3 cinnamon sticks crushed
- 1-2 star ansie optional
- 1 tablespoon cardamom crushed
- 2 teaspoons whole cloves
- 1/4 cup candied ginger
- 1 vanilla bean halved lengthwise
- 1 fresh pine or 1 sprig rosemary
- 1 cup Satsuma or tangerine OR 1/3 candied orange peel
Instructions
- Combine all the ingredients except the orange in a burlap bag or glass jar. If using a jar, add the orange and seal the jar. If using a burlap bag, tie the sack shut and then tie the orange onto the outside of the sack. You can also just place the orange inside the sack. Decorate as desired.
- If using fresh cranberries and oranges, gift the potpourri within 2-3 days of making and keep stored in the fridge. If you use all dried fruits, the potpourri can be stored at room temperature for up to a month.
- To make the Potpourri, add the contents of your bag (or jar) to a medium size pot. Add water until it comes 3/4 the way up the pot. Simmer on the stove over low heat, adding water every so often to keep it from drying up.
If only you could smell my potpourri simmering away. SO Christmasy!! And isn’t that Staub pot the most beautiful thing ever? It’s really a work of art! I know I have already said this, but it’s my favorite!
Lastly, if you make this Homemade Holiday Potpourri be sure to leave a comment and/or give this recipe a rating! Above all, I love to hear from you guys and always do my best to respond to each and every comment. And of course, if you do make this recipe, don’t forget to tag me on Instagram! Looking through the photos of recipes you all have made is my favorite!
I want to bake several of your Christmas cookie recipe for friends that do not have time to bake for their families! Next week is baking week! Merry Christmas ?!
Thank you so much Laura! xTieghan
I’m making potpourri for family and friends. I needed a good recipe and this sounds so good, and the Staub pot is needed.. so seems I was sent here to try to win, and for this awesome potpourri recipe.
Happy Holidays ?
Thank you so much Donna! I hope this recipe turns out amazing for you! xTieghan
Hi hello, happy almost December! Forgive me for a potentially stupid question, but I’ve never even used potpourri let alone made some. ? I’ve googled the webs and scoured through many comments, but am not sure of the answer. 1, I’m assuming this needs to be made by the receiver within like 48 hours or so because of the fruit. 2, when the person uses it – how long does it last? Does it get simmered all day and then tossed out after that?
Thank you!
Hey Lauren,
Yes, that is correct, the recipient will need to use this within 1 month and yes they will simmer all day and then toss:) I hope you love the potpourri. Please let me know if you have any other questions and Happy Holidays! xTieghan
Hi T,
I love this as a gift idea! Ok, two questions to clarify. Can a whole cutie clementine or fresh peel be inserted into a burlap bag, or must it be a tangerine or satsuma? Also, when using fresh cranberries/oranges, how long does the recipient have/need to use by when gifted?
Hey there,
Yes, a whole cutie is great to use! The recipient has 1 month to use the gift. I hope you love the potpourri. Please let me know if you have any other questions and Happy Holidays! xTieghan
My bucket list until Christmas is to practice cooking. I really love to and I hope to get better at it! Another bucket list is to find dedicated time to do crafts and things with my daughter besides homeschool ?.
Ps- I bought two Staub so far and I am in love!!!!
Yes!! I love that you are going to practice! What staub pans did you get?! xTieghan
Baking lots of cookies a tradition that my sister and I always did with our mom. She passed 19 years ago but we continued the tradition with our kids. Also will be writing Christmas cards with special notes to friends and family. Feel it is more important then ever this year that we keep in touch and hoping the card will give them a little encouragement during these unprecedented times. PS love your recipes, have made several and enjoyed them all. Merry Christmas to you and yours and a Happy Healthy New Year!
Aw I love that you both continue on that tradition, Denise! Thank you so much for sharing! I hope you continue to love my recipes too! xTieghan
I want to make Christmas cookies for our new (and old) neighbors.
So nice of you! xTieghan
You are the best! Thank you for such a fun gift idea! I’m going to add it to my bucket list that includes finish shopping, wrap, wrap, wrap, and wrap, bake 17 banana breads to distribute to friends, neighbors and office associates, cook some surprise meals for neighbors with hardships and spend some good, intentional time with family and friends! 35 days and counting. . .
I hope these turn out well for you Sandy! Wow 17 banana breads?! That is so amazing you are sharing so many with friends and family! Thank you Sandy! xTieghan
This potpourri looks amazing and a definite must try! On my Christmas bucket list, is trying my hand at making dried orange and eucalyptus boho inspired wreaths for family and friends. We always give to St. Jude. It is such a worthy cause. ❤️
Thank you so much Shannon! I am really glad this recipe turned out so well for you! xTieghan
I am making the potpourri for gifts as well as my toasted granola. Lots of homemade gifts this year is tops on my list. And also giving back. We usually hold an open house and guests bring non perishable food that we donate to our local food bank as well as pet food for our local shelter. This year we are not having our party so we are donating the money we would have spent to the same charities and will add st. jude’s to our list.
Love that!! Homemade granola is the best! Thank you for sharing, Diane! xTieghan
One thing on my holiday bucket list is attempt to make my grandmas amazing almond sugar cookies. Sadly, she passed just a few weeks ago and this will be the first holiday season without her and her cookies. My step mom has been practicing the recipe for some time now and I have decided it’s time I also learn it so that it can continue to be passed down for more generations!
Love that you are caring down that tradition!! Thank you so much, Amanda! xTieghan
Two things on my Christmas bucket list! I live in Mississippi but grew up in Stowe Vermont so I always try to go somewhere over the holidays where there is snow! And Cookie baking using my grandmothers cookie cutters!! A memory I made with my children and hopefully with my grandchildren! ❤️ Your recipes ! Can’t wait to try the potpourri gift bags!! Our town is a huge supporter of st Jude s – Memphis is an hr away… thanks for mentioning them❤️
Aw that sounds amazing! Thank you so much Barb! xTieghan
My to do list now includes making these for my staff members for Christmas! And some of my mom’s famous cranberry relish to gift as well—perfect for holiday dinners or to spruce up any meat or veggie.
Wow that is so amazing! I hope they all love this, Brittany! xTieghan
Love this idea as we all need a little bit of help getting into the Christmas spirit. Top priority of my bucket list is getting together with my cousin to have our annual Christmas cookie baking craziness. We take a few days to make our new and old favorite recipes and bake away. Spending lots of hours together being silly and creating gifts made with love. Hoping we can still manage to do this being extra careful with these trying pandemic times.
Aw that is awesome that you guys have that tradition! I hope you are able to do that and stay safe as well! xTieghan
My pre-Christmas bucket list is just to cook in my new kitchen!! I am not exaggerating when I say that when I discovered you, it kickstarted us to finally decide to take the plunge and renovate our kitchen (Family of 4 have been living without an oven for over 2 years… I know.. how can that be?!?). And my husband gifted me a Staub skillet for our my first meal in our new kitchen (inspired by all your recipes) – it’s killing me not to take it out of the box and use it!! So how awesome would it be to get another piece of their cookware for my new kitchen! But while I patiently wait (3 more weeks), we are making a list of all the meals we are going to cook from your site…. any suggestions?
Hey Anita,
Congrats on your new kitchen, how exciting! Here are some fave new recipes:
https://www.halfbakedharvest.com/one-pan-four-cheese-sun-dried-tomato-and-spinach-drunken-pasta-bake/
https://www.halfbakedharvest.com/spicy-sesame-noodles/
https://www.halfbakedharvest.com/slow-cooker-coq-au-vin/
I hope you love the recipes, please let me know if you have any other questions! xTieghan