Christmas on the Stove Top

Who loves the smell of Christmas?

I’ve got this potpourri simmering on my stove right now, and I WISH you could smell it through the screen.

My boys asked with delight: WHAT are you making? My answer didn’t thrill them.

You can share the delightful scent of Christmas with friends and family by making them a bag of Stovetop Potpourri.

I made these for my sons’ teachers (and attached a Target gift card – which is what they REALLY want!)

Here is what you’ll need to make the potpourri:

• Cinnamon Sticks: You can find these in the baking or Christmas aisle.
• Cranberries: They sell bags of these in produce.
• Oranges: If you plan to used slices, buy large oranges. If not, clementines fit well inside the small bags.
• Pine: I cut some from a tree in my yard.
• Plastic Baggies: I found these at the Dollar Tree, Hobby Lobby sells them too.
• Red Ribbon: In the gifting aisle or Hobby Lobby.
• Labels: Linked here and below.

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Inside each bag, place an entire orange (or dried slices), about a half cup of cranberries, 1-2 sprigs of pine, and 2 cinnamon sticks.

Tie the bag with ribbon and add a tag.

Last year, to save time, I just put a clementine in each bag. This year, I bought oranges and dried them. If you want to make these pretty orange slices, here’s how to do it.

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How to Make Oven-Dried Orange Slices:

1. Preheat oven to 175° F. 
2. Slice oranges about ⅛-inch thick. 
3. Set slices in a single layer on baking sheets with wire racks (this will allow oranges to dry on both sides). 
4. Cook for 4-6 hours, until dry to the touch. You may want to rotate halfway through for even cooking.
5. Cool completely.
   

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Click here for some super cute labels

Christmas on your stove:

1. Add 4 cups of water to a saucepan or slow cooker.
2. Add a sliced orange, 2 cinnamon sticks, 1/2 cup cranberries, and some fresh pine to the water.
3. Simmer on the stovetop or in a slow cooker. Check the water every hour or two, adding more as needed.
4. Enjoy the scents of the season!

Thanks for reading! Merry Christmas!