Warm and Cozy Scent for the Holidays right on your stovetop!

Have you ever walked in to a Hallmark or Holiday gift store and wanted to jar up that "holiday scent" that smells up the store?  It's a combination of cinnamon and spices, pine tree scents, and a fresh aroma that makes you all warm and cozy inside. 

I have a great recipe below for your stovetop that will make your entire house smell like the holidays and give you that warm scent that celebrates the season with you.  It's super easy, and making 1 pot will last you the entire holiday season (around 4 weeks).

Ingredients needed:
-Bag of fresh cranberries (fresh are found in the Produce dept at your local grocer)
-1 Oranges
-Cinnamon sticks (these can be found in the spice section at your local grocer)
-Cloves (jar of cloves can be found in the spice section at your local grocery store)
-Cast iron pot (if you don't have one, you can use any pot.  Cast iron pots hold heat longer so I prefer to use that). You can also use one of those baby crock pots.
-Water

Tip:  Did you know that almost always, the spices are in alphabetical order in the spice section at your local grocery store??  Knowing this will make it easier when looking for specific spices.

Tip:  You can also buy one of those netted bags full of broken pieces of cinnamon sticks and use a palm full each time as well. They smell amazing! 



Ingredient conversion:
1 small jar of cloves will last you for 5 pots approximately
1 tin of cinnamon sticks will last you 3 pots approximately
1 Orange per pot
1 bag of Cranberries will last you 2-3pots

To begin, slice your orange into thin slices.  Place the slices into your pot.

Next, open your bag of fresh cranberries and pour half the bag into the pot.  Store the rest of the cranberries in your fridge.

Take a few cinnamon sticks (3-5) and pour them into your pot.

Take 1/5 of your cloves and pour them into your pot (a small palm full is fine).

Add 2 cups of water.

Put your stove on simmer.  If you are using a cast iron pot, once your pot heats up, you can turn off the stove because the pot will hold the heat for awhile, and this will continue to give off the aroma.  Once your pot cools off, just turn it back on, heat it up, and the smell will carry throughout your home.

If you are using a baby crock pot, if yours has settings, put it on the low setting.

Always remember to make sure there is water in your pot!  The water will evaporate with heat, and if there is no water left in the pot, your ingredients will burn and you will ruin your entire pot.

Never leave a pot unattended or leave your stove on when you are not home.

Once the water level is low, just add more water.

I use this pot the entire holiday season and in to the winter months.  I start in November and keep it on the stove through February.

I usually change out my ingredients after 3-4 weeks or so.  You will find the oranges will turn a brownish color due to the cloves and spices in the cinnamon sticks.

Tip:  I also cover my pot in between uses to avoid dust and other things getting in to the pot.

xoxo
Happy Holidays!
Brenda