If you’ve ever wished you could bottle up the scent of the holidays and hand it to someone with a bow on top—this is it. Simmer pot jars are like a cozy hug in mason jar form: easy to make, budget-friendly, and ridiculously charming. They smell like cinnamon dreams and look like you spent hours crafting (spoiler: you didn’t). Plus, they’re a perfect way to say “thank you” with a little warmth and spice for the host of your next holiday gathering.
From neighbors and teachers to party hosts, these jars are total crowd-pleasers. And the best part? You can customize them to match your vibe, your gift list, or whatever ribbon you found in the back of the junk drawer.
What You’ll Need
For 4 jars (32 oz mason jars):
- 2 oranges, thinly sliced
- 2 apples, thinly sliced
- 12 oz fresh cranberries
- 8 cinnamon sticks (2 per jar)
- 1 Tbsp whole cloves (1 tsp per jar)
- 4 rosemary sprigs
- 4 pine branches (optional for extra scent)
- 20 bay leaves (5 per jar)
- Parchment paper + baking sheets
- Twine or ribbon
- Printable gift tags with instructions
- Mason jars (cleaned and sterilized)
How to Make Them
Step 1: Dehydrate the Fruit Preheat oven to 200°F. Place orange slices and half the cranberries on one baking sheet, apple slices and the rest of the cranberries on another. Optional: sprinkle apples with cinnamon. Bake for 8–12 hours, flipping every 2 hours. Fruit should be dry and cranberries shriveled.
Step 2: Assemble the Jars Layer dried fruit, spices, rosemary, and pine into each jar. Add 5 bay leaves per jar. Seal the jars and tie with twine or ribbon.
Step 3: Add Gift Tags Include a tag that says: “Add contents to a pot of water. Simmer on low for cozy holiday vibes. Refill water as needed. Enjoy the scent of the season!”
Why It Works
Simmer pot jars are more than just pretty—they’re personal. They invite warmth, nostalgia, and a little bit of magic into someone’s home. And for busy moms or last-minute gifters, they’re a win-win: easy to make, beautiful to give, and totally customizable.
Final Thoughts
So whether you’re channeling your inner Martha or just trying to survive the season with a little grace and a lot of cinnamon, simmer pot jars are your secret weapon. They’re thoughtful without the stress, festive without the fuss, and smell like you actually have your life together—even if your laundry says otherwise.
Print the tags, tie the twine, and gift a little cozy magic. Because in a season full of hustle, a homemade hug in a jar might be just what someone needs.
Happy simmering, friend. And may your holidays be merry, bright, and only mildly sticky from cranberry juice.
With coffee in one hand and a mason jar of magic in the other,
💛Bethany