There are certain smells that immediately make you think of Christmas. Fresh greenery, citrus, cinnamon, and vanilla. They're familiar, comforting, and somehow make a house feel a little more like home.
If you've ever walked into Williams Sonoma around the holidays, you probably know exactly the smell I'm talking about. It's warm, fresh, a little woodsy, and wonderfully welcoming.
One of my favorite ways to bring that feeling into our own home is with a simple simmer pot.
It's hardly a recipe, really. Just a handful of ingredients, a pot of water, and a little time on the stove. But before long, the whole house begins to smell like Christmas.
And I love that something so simple can make such a difference.
The Ingredients
I like a combination of fresh citrus, rosemary, vanilla, and cinnamon. The lemon keeps things bright, the rosemary adds a lovely evergreen fragrance, and the vanilla and cinnamon bring a little warmth.
Here's what I use:
8 cups water
1 lemon, sliced
3 sprigs fresh rosemary
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1–2 cinnamon sticks
1 vanilla bean, optional
1 teaspoon whole black peppercorns, optional
The original Williams Sonoma-inspired combination uses lemon, rosemary, vanilla, and black peppercorns. I've added cinnamon and sometimes a vanilla bean for a little extra Christmas warmth.
How to Make a Christmas Simmer Pot
Add the water to a Dutch oven or large saucepan. Slice the lemon and add it along with the rosemary, vanilla, and cinnamon sticks. If you're using a vanilla bean, split it lengthwise and add it to the pot, too.
Bring everything to a boil, then reduce the heat to a gentle simmer.
That's it.
As the water warms, the ingredients release their fragrance, filling the kitchen and eventually the rest of the house with the loveliest Christmas scent.
Keep the pot uncovered and add more water as needed. I like to get it going before guests arrive or on an afternoon when we're spending time at home.
A little pot simmering away on the stove is one of those small details that makes a house feel especially welcoming.
A Few Things to Know
Keep an eye on the water. Simmer pots need occasional topping off. Never allow the pot to boil dry, and never leave it unattended.
Make it your own. Add orange slices, cranberries, cloves, or star anise for a slightly different holiday combination. There isn't one right way to make a simmer pot.
Use what you have. You don't need a special pot or expensive ingredients. A regular saucepan works just as well as a Dutch oven.
A note about storage: If you want to use the mixture again, cool it promptly, refrigerate it in a covered container, and use it within 2–3 days. Discard it if it develops an unusual appearance or smell.
The Little Things That Make a Home
I've always loved the idea that making a home welcoming doesn't have to involve grand gestures or elaborate preparations.
Sometimes it's a meal made from scratch, a candle lit before dinner, fresh flowers on the table, or a pot of something lovely simmering on the stove.
These are small things, but they change the feeling of a home. They tell the people who live there, and the people who come through the door, that someone has thought about them.
And during the Christmas season, when there's so much to do and so much to prepare, I think it's worth remembering to enjoy the little things along the way.
A few simple ingredients, a little time, and the smell of Christmas drifting through the house.
That's a tradition worth keeping.
Made slowly. Shared generously.