Stovetop Potpourri in Mason Jars: The Perfect Gift for Neighbors Recipe
This delightful stovetop potpourri recipe creates a warm, fragrant atmosphere perfect for holiday gifting. Combining the natural scents of cranberries, cinnamon, cloves, mandarin oranges, and fresh greenery, it simmers gently on your stove to fill your home with a cozy, festive aroma. Presented in large mason jars, these aromatic blends make a thoughtful and charming gift for neighbors and loved ones during the holiday season.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 10-15 minutes (simmering time)
- Total Time: 25 minutes
- Yield: 1 large mason jar (makes 1 gift jar) 1x
- Category: Drink & Beverage
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
Scale
Ingredients
- 1 cup cranberries per jar
- 1 heaping teaspoon ground cinnamon OR 1 cinnamon stick plus 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon per jar
- 1 teaspoon cloves per jar
- 1 mandarin orange (such as Cuties) per jar
- Pieces of fresh greenery (pine or rosemary sprigs) per jar
Instructions
- Prepare the Mason Jars: Start by placing 1 cup of fresh cranberries into each large mason jar to form the base of your potpourri.
- Add Cinnamon: Add either 1 heaping teaspoon of ground cinnamon or one cinnamon stick combined with 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon to each jar for a strong, warm spice aroma.
- Add Cloves and Orange: Place about 1 teaspoon of cloves in each jar, followed by one whole mandarin orange.
- Incorporate Greenery: Add fresh pieces of greenery such as pine branches from your Christmas tree or rosemary sprigs to enhance the fragrance and add a festive touch.
- Label and Gift: Once all ingredients are layered, close the jars and attach a gift tag including instructions: when ready to use, slice the orange, place all ingredients in a pot, cover with water, and let simmer on the stovetop. Add more water as necessary to maintain the scent.
Notes
- Use fresh cranberries and oranges for the best scent and visual appeal.
- If real greenery is not available, dried rosemary is an excellent alternative for fragrance.
- Simmer gently on low heat to avoid boiling away the aromatic oils too quickly.
- Monitor water levels during simmering to prevent the pot from drying out.
- This potpourri is reusable; simply add more water and heat again as desired.
Keywords: stovetop potpourri, holiday gift, cranberry potpourri, cinnamon cloves potpourri, festive aroma, homemade gift, aromatherapy, simmer potpourri
