A simmer pot is a throwback to the days when families would simmer herbs, bark, roots, or leaves to make a healing tincture. That same method can be used today to draw out the smells of your favorite holiday naturals, including cinnamon, vanilla, oranges, cloves, star anise, ginger, pine sprigs, cranberries, lemon slices, rosemary, lavender, bay leaves, and nutmeg.

It's easy to create your own stovetop potpourri using aromatic holiday combinations. Always remember to keep an eye on any simmering pot and make sure you remove it from the heat before the contents have dissipated!

Festive Fall Simmer Pot

Start with a 2-quart saucepan or a small cooker that you don't mind using as a simmer pot. Add enough water to fully cover all your ingredients. For this festive fall simmer pot, we've collected some favorite fall/winter fruits and some very aromatic smells:

• Cut Up Citrus. Whatever citrus fruits you have on hand will do like lemons, limes, and oranges.
• Add Autumn Apples. Quarter or half pieces of Granny Smith or hard red apples will do.
• Toss in Aromatics. Add half a tablespoon of vanilla extract and a few cinnamon sticks.

Put on a stovetop and bring to a rolling boil. Then reduce heat and allow the pot to simmer, adding more water as necessary.

Winter Wonderland Simmer Pot

Taken right from nature, this recipe will have your home smelling like the great outdoors. We've purposely kept this recipe simple to highlight the incredible scents of evergreen. 

• Evergreen trimmings Cut the needles from an evergreen tree branch.
• Pine cones Wash and toss in a few pine cones that have fallen to the ground.
• Cranberries – A quarter cup of fresh or 1/2 cup of dried will do.
• Aromatics – Raid your spice rack for a few teaspoons of cinnamon, ginger, or clove.

That's all you need for a winter fresh scent that is sure to put everyone in the holiday spirit. Simmer pots can also be done in a slow cooker for many more hours of holiday delight.

We are wishing our entire Flagstaff, AZ apartment community a happy and joyous holiday! If you are looking for a new apartment home to start new traditions including a holiday simmer pot, schedule an appointment to view our apartments at Highland Village.