How to Make Homemade Holiday Potpourri

When it comes to setting a warm, fragrant ambiance in your home this holiday season, nothing does the trick like homemade potpourri made with fruit and spices.

With a few spare minutes in your day, and the right ingredients, you'll have a holiday scent so enticing, you won't want to leave the house! No candle, incense, or store-bought potpourri compares to fresh ingredients and a DIY approach.

• Small branch of pine
• 1 orange
• ½ cup of cranberries
• 4 cinnamon sticks
• 1/8 tsp nutmeg
• 1 tablespoon of whole cloves
• 2-3 cups of water

Pour 2 to 3 cups of water into a small to medium-sized pot and set over low heat while prepping the ingredients. Slice the orange into quarter-inch thick cuts, and be sure to save the ends.

After the water has been heated, add in the pine, a tablespoon of whole cloves, and 1/8 teaspoon of nutmeg. Use a spoon to gently stir the ingredients and evenly disperse the spice in heated water.

Introduce orange slices and ½ cup of fresh cranberries. And the final touch—cinnamon! Break all four cinnamon sticks in half, and add them to the pot before giving the mixture a final stir. Carefully adjust heat if the water is not hot enough. You don't want a rolling boil, just a soft simmer.

Simmer the mixture for as long as desired, and replenish water when it begins to evaporate.

Feel free to improvise as you find the right balance of ingredients. Maybe you prefer a spicier cinnamon scent or the fresh essence of pine. Add more and less of each as you perfect your potpourri.

Have you come up with your own holiday scent? We want to hear about it! Share your experience with us on our Facebook page!