Gifts That Make Scents: DIY Simmering Pot In A Mason Jar

For Christmas gifts that make “scents,” give your friends, neighbors and coworkers a DIY simmering pot in a mason jar. Anyone will enjoy the scents of Christmas that permeate the air as the ingredients in a simmering pot simmer away on the stove top. Heavenly!

What Is A Simmering Pot?

A simmering pot is a mix of common pantry & fridge ingredients that go into a saucepan. Water is added to just cover the ingredients, then the whole thing simmers away on the stove. The scent permeates your home and makes it smell just like Christmas! The biggest thing to remember for a simmering pot is to keep an eye on it and don’t let the water run out.

A DIY simmering pot is a great Christmas gift idea for your friends, neighbors and coworkers. All they have to do is empty the mason jar into a saucepan, add water, and enjoy the scents of Christmas.

DIY Simmering Pot in a Mason Jar

What you put into your simmering pot is completely customizable, and you really can’t get it wrong. Besides some pint-sized mason jars, you need the following types of ingredients for a DIY simmering pot:

• A small orange or clementine that fits inside the jar {dried citrus slices work too!}
• One lemon
• A few cinnamon sticks
• Whole cloves
• Star anise
• Bay leaves
• Fresh cranberries

To a clean pint-size mason jar, add the orange, one lemon, 1-2 cinnamon sticks, several whole cloves, a few star anise, 1-2 bay leaves, and a handful of fresh cranberries. Feel free to adjust amounts as needed so that everything fits inside one pint jar. Screw a lid onto the jar.

For a festive look, cut a square of fabric in a Christmas print and lay it over the mason jar lid before you screw on the band. The band will secure the fabric. Add a ribbon or twine and tie it around the neck of the jar.

Finally, add a tag with directions for using the DIY simmering pot. It should read something like this:

1. Slice the orange and the lemon and place the slices into a 2-quart saucepan.
2. Dump the rest of the ingredients in the saucepan with the citrus slices.
3. Add water just to cover everything in the pan.
4. Bring the water to a simmer.
5. Reduce the heat to maintain a very gentle simmer.
6. Replace the water as needed so the pan never runs dry.
7. Enjoy the wonderful scent of Christmas!

For more fun Christmas DIYs, see Easy Rustic Christmas Art Projects You’ll Love to Display.