6 Homemade Holiday Fragrances

There are few aromas in the world more amazing than a warm home that smells like the holidays. Make Christmas magic happen in your home with a few natural fruits, plants, and spices. In this post, we have 6 simple scents for homemade air fresheners that you can simmer on your stove top. Which of these holiday fragrances is your favorite?

6 Holiday Homemade Air Fresheners + Fragrances

Isn’t it crazy how the nose remembers? You know what I’m talking about right? You get a whiff of cinnamon and apple and it takes you back to grandmother’s homemade apple pie.

Or that simmer of lemon and vanilla reminds you of fresh baked cookies.

For me, I always remember the smell of my stepmom simmering holiday fragrances on the stove. She would add oranges and cinnamon and cloves and more to a pot of simmering water. The entire house would smell like Christmas and I loved it.

This memory is what inspired me to share a few fragrance recipes for homemade air fresheners. All you have to do is add the ingredients listed to a pot of water and simmer on the stove top to make your home smell amazing.

Classic Williams Sonoma

Classic Williams Sonoma Scent

• 2 lemons, sliced
• 3 sprigs fresh rosemary
• 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
• 4 cups water

Orange + Clove

Orange + Clove Fragrance

• 2 oranges, sliced
• 1 tablespoon whole cloves or whole allspice
• 2 bay leaves
• 4 cups water

Cranberry Spice

Cranberry Spice

• 1 cup fresh cranberries
• 2 cinnamon sticks
• 1 teaspoon whole cloves or whole allspice
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1 teaspoon nutmeg
• 4 cups water

Christmas Pine

Christmas Pine

• handful fresh pine needles, chopped
• 1/2 lemon, sliced
• 1/2 orange, sliced
• 1 cinnamon stick
• 4 cups water

Citrus Evergreen Spice

Citrus + Spruce Fragrance

• 1 lemon sliced
• 1 orange sliced
• handful fresh spruce needles
• 1/2 tablespoon whole cloves or whole allspice
• 4 cups water

Earthy Mint

Earthy Mint 

• 3 bay leaves
• 1 tablespoon mint extract (or fresh mint if available)
• 1/2 tablespoon cloves or whole allspice
• half handful pine, spruce needles, or rosemary (or combo)
• 4 cups water

Tips on Simmering Homemade Holiday Fragrances on the Stove:

1. NEVER NEVER NEVER EVER EVER leave your home unattended while simmering anything on the stove.
2. If you are a child, please ask your parents’ permission first.
3. Add more water to the simmering pot occasionally to prevent scorching.
4. Don’t be afraid to try your own combinations of fruit, spices, and evergreen.
5. Keep the stove on the lowest setting.
6. Always use the stove eye farthest away from you to prevent accidental burns while working in the kitchen.
7. Have a small slow cooker? Use it instead of the stove. Turn it on the lowest setting, leave the lid off, and add more water as needed.

Looking for more Holiday Ideas:

12 Mocktail Recipes for New Year’s Eve

Jingle Bell Christmas Garland

Winter White Christmas Tree Decorating Ideas

Snowman Christmas Cookies

Christmas Snickerdoodles

Spiced Cranberry Apple Cider

Make Rustic Cranberry Decor in Less than 5 Minutes

Love this post? Sign up for the Buy This Cook That Newsletter for a weekly email of new content. You can also follow us on Facebook, Pinterest, Twitter and Instagram for our latest + greatest ideas!