I am taking a quick break today from holiday decor and instead sharing a few easy ways to make your house smell like the holidays. This time of year appeals to all the senses, the sparkling lights, Christmas carols etc. and even the scent of a fresh tree gives your home the feeling of the holidays.
We have several Christmas trees (see our trees in our home tour here) but they are all of the “faux” variety so they don’t give off that fresh pine smell, so it takes a little extra effort to get that holiday scent. I have several candles I burn throughout the season, namely the Greenleaf Holiday Candles. Also, this is the scent they use at the Lucketts Holiday House, it is a warm scent that isn’t too overpowering, it would make a lovely gift.
This year I wanted to try some other concoctions, namely some simmering blends I have seen on Pinterest and other places. The recipe I liked the most is simple and uses items you probably have on hand during the holidays anyway.
I used my Dutch Oven (similar here) and filled it with water. I added fresh orange slices (lemon works too), some fresh cranberries and some cinnamon sticks. I had some fresh rosemary on hand so for a Christmas touch I added that too as it adds a nice spicey undertone, and I let it simmer throughout the day. Our home smelled amazing!
You can also make this as a gift, simply use dried orange slices (to make them bake the slices in a 200 degree oven for 5 to 6 hours) and dried cranberries and package together in a cello bag with a bow!
If you don’t have these items on hand or want to make you life even simpler, I highly recommend this Mulling Spice mixture. While you can use it in wine or cider, I often just add it to a simmering pot of water (be sure to add more water so it doesn’t burn up) on low heat on the stove. It will make your whole home smell simply amazing!
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