‘Tis the season for scented candles. It’s hard to resist scents like Cinnamon Spice Vanilla and Mahogany Balsam as we spend more time indoors over the winter playing host to friends and family. Making our home smell warm and inviting is often the cherry on top of the home decor cake. But as alluring as these scented candles sound and smell, the truth is that most conventional candles are made from petroleum-based paraffin with far from natural scents.
While more eco-friendly candle options are available, we wanted to share a unique technique that will naturally give your home that seasonal warm and cozy aroma — simmer pots. Made from a simple combination of water and your favourite spices, simmer pots will fill your house with a natural warming scent.
How To Create A Simmer Pot
To create a simmer pot, simply fill a pot with water and bring it to a boil on the stove. Once boiling, add desired ingredients and continue to boil for a few minutes before reducing the heat to a simmer. Simple as that. Add additional water as needed, usually every half hour, depending on the size of your pot.
Winter Simmer Pot Recipes
More of an art than a science, the combinations for simmer pots are endless. There are no wrong combinations or proportions, and we recommend experimenting with different blends of your favourite spices and any natural essential oils you may have on hand. As an added bonus, simmer pots are a fantastic way to use food scraps you may have laying around over the holidays, like orange and apple peels. Here are a few festive recipes to get you started.
Evergreen Citrus Blend
- Orange
- Lemon
- Cinnamon sticks
- Whole cloves
- Fir branch cuttings
Gingerbread Blend
- Cinnamon sticks
- Whole cloves
- Fresh slices of ginger
- Vanilla extract
Winter Wonderland Cranberry Blend
- Cranberries
- Orange
- Lemon
- Cinnamon sticks
- Nutmeg
- Rosemary
Lavender Sugar Plum Blend
- Dried Lavender
- Rosemary
- Lemon
- Vanilla
- Star anise
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