Christmas potpourri
Cindy on December 14th, 2008
“Gifts of time and love are surely the basic ingredients of a truly merry Christmas.” — Peg Bracken
Nothing stirs my Christmas nostalgia more than the co-mingled scents of oranges, cloves, pine, and cinnamon. Several years ago at Christmastime, my dear friend Debbie came over with a holiday bag filled with all the ingredients to make a simmering Christmas potpourri on the stove.
It quickly became one of my favorite holiday traditions, and sharing it with friends is always a pleasure. From my kitchen to yours, here’s the recipe:
THE SCENT OF CHRISTMAS
Fill a wide-mouthed pan 3/4 full with water. Add:
- 3 or 4 sticks of cinnamon
- 3 or 4 bay leaves
- 1/4 cup of whole cloves
- 1 lemon, sliced
- 1 orange, sliced
Simmer all ingredients on low, adding more water when necessary. You can use the mixture for a few days, and your house will smell delicious for the holidays.
December 15th, 2008 at 7:09 pm
This is one of those divine timing things, Cindy. Just as my daughter was wondering (ok, whining, is more like it) about what gifts to make for people this year, especially on a student budget, lo and behold, there you are with a grand idea for us all. Thank you!
Perfect!
December 15th, 2008 at 7:15 pm
That’s great, Jan! Tell your daughter to find a pretty holiday bag for the ingredients, like my friend did, and type out the recipe to include with it. I think perishable gifts like this are a great idea, no matter what your budget … CL
December 22nd, 2009 at 11:14 am
I want to try doing this Cindy! I’ve never made a Christmas potpourri before but I love these smells and am eager to do it. THANK YOU for sharing the recipe!