It’s Beginning To Smell A Lot Like Christmas

Ditch the chemical laden plug in air fresheners. Especially since it’s so very easy to make an all natural alternative using a few naturally fragrant ingredients from your spice drawer and some clippings from the garden. Not only is this holiday simmering potpourri all natural and easy to make; it will leave your home smelling like the holidays all season long for just a few pennies.

Did you know that using synthetic air fresheners can pose some pretty negative health effects? Many common household air fresheners contain phthalates. These are chemicals that are used to prolong the length of time that scented products maintain their fragrance. Studies have shown that regular exposure to them can increase your risk of developing asthma by 30 to 50 percent.

Synthetic air fresheners have also been shown to emit significant amounts of terpene, a compound that can react with naturally occurring ozone in your home to create formaldehyde. Did you know that formaldehyde is classified as a human carcinogen by the International Agency for Research on Cancer? Say what?!?!?! Have I convinced you that using a more natural alternative might be the best answer to keeping your home smelling fresh?

This natural, inexpensive alternative is the perfect solution to keeping your home smelling fresh during the holidays without having to worry about any negative side effects from synthetic products. We can all agree that that’s a very good thing…right?!?!

Supplies:

• Orange, thinly sliced
• Lemon, thinly sliced
• 2 Cinnamon sticks
• 1 Nutmeg nut, freshly grated
• 1 teaspoon whole Cloves
• 2-4 fresh Rosemary sprigs
• Water
• Glass jars
• Scissors
• Twine or ribbon
• Gift tags
• Pen

Place citrus slices, cinnamon sticks, grated nutmeg, whole cloves and rosemary sprigs in a pan.

Use freshly grated nutmeg if possible. Freshly grated nutmeg is more fragrant but you can also use grated nutmeg if that’s all you have on hand.

Add enough water to cover all the ingredients by at least an inch of water. Bring the mixture to a simmer. Reduce heat and maintain a simmer over low heat for several hours.

This simmering Potpourri can also be placed in a small crockpot with water. Turn on low and simmer all day keeping an eye on it to maintain enough water in the crockpot.

Be sure to check on the simmering potpourri every so often to make sure there is still enough water to cover the potpourri in the pan. Add additional water to the pan as needed.

Simmering Potpourri makes a lovely gift for the holidays. Use dried citrus slices instead of fresh when giving simmering Potpourri as a gift.

Learn how easy it is To Properly Dry & Store Citrus Slices no special equipment needed. Dried citrus slices can be used is so many different ways all during the holiday season; in this simmering Potpourri, as a natural ornament for your Christmas tree or as lovely embellishment on a gift. Not only are they easy to make but they are naturally beautiful as well!

Place all the dry ingredients in a glass jar and tie with a ribbon. Embellish with a few sprigs of rosemary on the outside of the jar. The rosemary sprigs will dry naturally over time.

If the recipient doesn’t use the simmering Potpourri right away, fresh rosemary placed inside the jar could turn moldy after time. So tie fresh herbs to the outside of the jar or add a teaspoon of dried rosemary to the jar.

Add a gift tag explaining how to use it and you have a charming and thoughtful gift to give to family and friends this holiday season.

Everyone loves receiving this thoughtful, fragrant gift. Go ahead and make up a few jars this weekend so you have a little something to give as a thoughtful gift all during the holidays. Sure you can always bring a bottle of wine, but this makes such a lovely and unique gift.

Did You Make This?

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For God so loved the world he gave his only begotten son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish, but have eternal life.

John 3:16

Remember…Jesus ❤️’s you!