How to Make a Holiday Simmer Pot: A Heartfelt Homemade Gift

There’s nothing quite like a warm, nostalgic scent to bring holiday cheer into a home. If you’re looking for a thoughtful, budget-friendly, and beautiful homemade gift this season, a Holiday Simmer Pot checks all the boxes! Infused with classic holiday aromas like cinnamon, citrus, and evergreen, simmer pots fill any space with cozy vibes and make your recipient feel genuinely cared for.

In this post, you’ll learn how to make a holiday simmer pot using simple ingredients — and how to prepare dried oranges and cranberries at home, too!

And although this is Holiday focused, I love gifting simmer pots year round. And once you start making them, you’ll quickly learn you can play around with the ingredients to match the season.

What You’ll Need for a Holiday Simmer Pot:

• Serrated Knife
• Wooden Cutting Board
• Baking Pan and Oven or;
• Dehydrator
• Holiday Simmer Pot Ingredients:
  2 Cinnamon Sticks
  2 Dried Orange Slices 
  Handful of Dried Cranberries 
  Handful of Cloves or 2 Star Anise
  Dried Christmas Tree Clippings (or dried rosemary sprigs) 

How to Dry Orange Slices

There are two great options: oven drying and dehydrator. Both work well — choose what you have!

How to Dry Orange Slices in the Oven

1. Preheat oven to 200°F / 95°C.
2. Slice your oranges into ¼-inch rounds.
3. Place them in a single layer on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.
4. Bake for 3-4 hours, flipping halfway, until completely dry and slightly leathery or crisp.
5. Let cool. Store in an airtight container until ready to use.

How to Dry Orange Slices in the Dehydrator

1. Line dehydrator trays with parchment.
2. Place the orange slices without overlapping.
3. Set to 135°F / 57°C for 6–8 hours.
4. Check for dryness — they should feel firm and not sticky.

How to Dry Cranberries

Cranberries hold more moisture, so drying them takes a bit longer. But the result is SO worth it!

How to Dry Cranberries in the Oven

1. Preheat to 175°F / 80°C.
2. Slice cranberries in half to dry faster.
3. Place in a single layer on a baking sheet.
4. Bake for 4–5 hours, stirring every hour.
5. Finished cranberries will be wrinkly and dry to the touch.

How to Dry Cranberries in the Dehydrator

1. Spread cranberries on dehydrator trays.
2. Set temperature to 135°F / 57°C.
3. Dry for 10–14 hours, checking periodically.

Note: Dried cranberries won’t get crunchy like chips — just papery and dry.

How to Dry Evergreens or Rosemary

I clipped a few branches from my Christmas tree last year and hung to dry in my garage all year long. I just pulled it out to use! For this year, you could use fresh clippings…swing by a Christmas tree stand and ask for leftover clippings. or snip a few from your current tree!

If you want to dry Christmas tree clippings this year to save for next year, here’s how:

1. Remove excess needles and cut into small sprigs.
2. Hang them in a dry, well-ventilated spot for 2–3 weeks.
3. Once fully dry and fragrant, they’re simmer-pot ready!

If you don’t have evergreen clippings, fresh or dried rosemary sprigs work beautifully too.

How to Gift a Holiday Simmer Pot

Here are a few creative ways to gift your simmer pot:

Paper Bag Gift Set
I ordered a bulk package of these zipper bags on Amazon and topped with with a ribbon and gift tag.

Mason Jar Gift Set
Layer ingredients in a decorated mason jar with a ribbon and gift tag.

Simple Steps to Include:

1. Place all your dried ingredients into a small pot:
   • 2 cinnamon sticks
   • 2 dried orange slices
   • A handful of dried cranberries
   • Handful of cloves (or 2 star anise)
   • A few dried evergreen sprigs or rosemary
2. Add enough water to cover (about 3–4 cups).
3. Heat on the stove over low heat.
4. Let it simmer gently. As the water warms, the scents will fill the air!
5. Top off with water as needed throughout the day to keep the fragrance going.
6. PRO TIP- I turn mine off at night and refresh the water the next morning and it still smells great for about 2-3 days!

Where to Buy Simmer Pot Ingredients

• Cinnamon Sticks — I like to buy organic from Azure Standard but here’s some from Amazon.
• Whole Cloves or Star Anise — I pick these up locally at Farm99 or order here or here with Azure Standard but you can find them on amazon here or here.
• Dehydrator (optional) — I love my non-toxic dehydrator and air fryer from Amazon.
• Beautiful Paper Zipper Bags — perfect to keep on hand for gifting.
• Festive Ribbon & Gift Tags — I pick these up locally but check out this pack of holiday and non holiday.

Note: Fresh naval oranges, fresh cranberries, and rosemary can be found at your local grocery store or farmers market!

As you gift these holiday simmer pots, my hope is that they help create slow, meaningful moments at home — the kind that turn a house into a place of warmth, memory, and belonging. The holidays have a special way of reminding us that home is about more than square footage — it’s about how it feels to live there.

If you’re looking for more ways to soak in the season locally, be sure to check out my Local Holiday Guide, where I’ve rounded up festive events, cozy spots, and family-friendly traditions happening around town. It’s one of my favorite resources to share this time of year and a wonderful way to experience our community at its best.

And if this season has you dreaming about a new front porch to decorate, a kitchen that smells like citrus and cinnamon all winter long, or a home that better fits the rhythms of your life, or simply asking questions about what’s possible in today’s market — I’m always happy to be a resource. There’s no pressure and no obligation, just honest guidance when you’re ready. Reach out to me here!

Here’s to slow days, good scents, and homes filled with peace this holiday season.