As soon as the first snow falls or the temperature drops below freezing, holiday and Christmas scents begin brewing here. Everybody has their favorite smells of Christmas (and not so favored since one friend cannot stand the smell of cinnamon). The fragrance that always speaks to me is infused with citrus, cranberry, and rosemary. Delectably Yummy Christmas Smells shares my recipe as well as options that don’t require heating up the kitchen.
Delectably Yummy Christmas Smells: Simmer This Recipe
I love when the cranberries begin to POP, and can’t you just hear the Christmas music in the background too?
Simple pleasures indeed!
I independently selected products in this post—if you buy from one of my links, I may earn a commission.
Yummy Christmas Candles & Wintry Scents to Enjoy
Cardamom and Vanilla
First, here’s my absolute favorite of the bunch! This holiday scent hails from my childhood indeed. Cardamom and vanilla is subtle, not too sweet or cloying.
Citrus & Slightly Sweet
Oooooohhhhh, the secret is out…a candle under $10 that smells citrusy, slightly sweet and exactly like those Capri Blue they burn inside every Anthropologie!
Here it is:
But a name like Bali Sunrise…is it even Christmasy? No cinnamon or cypress, and the name suggests a sandy beach, yet this scent is still perfect in every season.
Winter Woods and simmering spices…Smells Like Christmas indeed!
Cinnamon, Cloves, Allspice & Orange
Uncommon Gifts to Give
Fresh Cut Christmas Trees…certainly smells like Christmas!
Holly Berries & Cardamom
How To Make Your House Smell Like Christmas!
Have a favorite recipe to infuse your home with delicious Christmas smells? Here’s my favorite.
Ingredients
1/4 Grapefruit, sliced into wedges
1/2 Apple, sliced
3 Cinnamon Sticks
1 Rosemary Sprig
1 Sprig of Pine or Fir
Handful of fresh cranberries
2 1/2 tsp. Cloves
1 Tbsp. Ground Allspice (a mixture of cinnamon, cloves & nutmeg)
Water to cover
Tweak This Mix to Make It Your Own
No need to be rigid about this mix – if you love the smell of grapefruit like I do, use more! Add ingredients to a heavy saucepan including water to cover, and bring to a boil. Reduce heat to simmer and add water as needed . Keep an eye on the water level so it doesn’t reduce and begin to burn.
It’s fun to plant rosemary in little vintage English marmalade jars, and they also make sweet little holiday trees with fabulous fragrance.
Fills Up All the Senses
A bonus to this recipe with cranberries is the little popping they do as they begin to cook – you certainly need not be a child to enjoy this sweet result.
I have maybe broadcast this a zillion times, but my favorite fragrance on the planet is orange blossom – and you can also substitute oranges or clementines for the grapefruit if desired.
The pan I used is a 5 qt round cast iron Cusinart casserole pan, and you can also find options HERE as well as Here.
Here’s my potpourri simmering away…
Classic as well as a pretty essential for all of your holiday cooking:
Simmer Down Now!
Also, for safe simmering you won’t have to babysit all day – how about using this…?
For a hefty quantity of ground Allspice at a low price, here’s a possibility too:
Is there anything more warm and welcoming than the smell of cloves…also find a great value HERE:
Rosemary and Citrus…certainly a delicious combo
Need a Large Wood Slice Platter for your rustic vignettes or a centerpiece? Find one HERE.
I used mine as a cake pedestal for this mini layer cake – find the recipe here.
How I love the sights, sounds, and smells of this Christmas potpourri poppin’ on the stove when it’s cold outside! I’ll also be poppin’ into a few of my favorite shops for holiday inspiration such as Trove, where these cuties run the place:
Also, Warm Your Heart With These
Speaking of cuties, are you acquainted with Pip?
Also, for those of us who grew up watching ‘A Charlie Brown Christmas,’ check this out if you have a few minutes…
Have a favorite Christmas simmer or mulling spice recipe to share?
Be sure to also visit this tour of quiet Christmas gorgeousness!
I independently selected products in this post—if you buy from one of my links, I may earn a commission.
Peace to you right where you are.
-michele
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I’m allergic to scented candles (strongly scented flowers, perfumes, potpourri), so they are a definite No for me! I’ve never thought of simmering cinnamon (yum!) and citrus in the crockpot. I’m going to having some going during my annual Christmas party. It’ll be a nice subtle scent of Christmas that will add to the festive feeling. I keep the music low, so no one has to yell. Instrumental is my go to during a get together. But Bing wins out Christmas Eve and Morn.
Those two little puppies are sooo cute! Westies?
Author
Yes – aren’t they beautiful!?! Haven’t visited them yet this year and hope to get photos when next I shop at Trove. I could not do scented candles for years – headaches. But I think when the quality started to improve with soy and more natural ingredients, I started to explore my options. Nothing like a yummy simmer on the stove though! 🙂
Michelle, have you tried the Nest “Holiday “ candle? They have them at Nordstrom (in the solid red box). It’s the BEST candle! Even though it’s made for holiday, it smells heavenly any time of year. FYI and happy and healthy holidays!
Author
I haven’t – thanks, Beth! Peace to you, and thanks for reading. 🙂
Thank you for sharing at #ThursdayFavoriteThings. Pinned and shared. Have a lovely week. I hope to see you at next week’s party too!
Author
Thanks so much, Marilyn. Happy weekend, friend.
Love all these smells but I am always disappointed from the expensive scented candles, not worth the money.
This year , for me too early, but I already decorated a bit with silver bauble in diff. sizes and some olivetree and ivy,
aborvitae branches on a morroccan wrought plate and it looks so nice. I am happy with this little spoil.
Author
Love how that natural greenery sounds, and good for you enjoying it sooner than later! Happy Thursday, friend.
in time like this I will nothing procastinating particularly it makes me and others happy. Enjoy too this
very special pre Xmas time dear Michele and stay well.
Author
Thank you for reading and adding beauty here, friend. I hope we can somehow enjoy these days ahead in spite of the heartache around the world. Sending peace to you across the miles.
Really want to try your simmering fruit & spices recipe…the popping cranberries sound fun! Also the Mulling spices & the Bali Sunrise candle are right up my alley. This post got me in the festive spirit as I can just imagine the fragrances of the season as I read this!
Author
Yay! To be honest, I still don’t have my sense of smell back completely from the Covid in September. Can taste a little bit, but this will be a very different holiday season indeed and will rely on my imagination. 🙂 So I encourage everyone with their senses intact to savor!
I look forward to each of your blogs every morning. They are so refreshing……thanks!
Author
So happy to have you here, Carol. Blessings to you and peace to you this weekend.
Do you know where to purchase those huge bells in the back of the truck where you are sitting on the tailgate?
I tried to find them last year also but no luck.
Author
Hi Colleen. I own several of them and purchased them from the shop Urban Farmgirl (Rockford, IL). I know several readers who have called and had them shipped. Hope this helps.
Thanks so much. I will contact them.
Author
You bet!