24 DIY Christmas Simmer Pot Gift Jars That Smell Like the Holidays

What if one little jar could make the whole house smell like Christmas before the kettle has even boiled?

These 25 DIY Christmas simmer pot gift jars are packed with dried citrus, cinnamon, cranberries, herbs, and spices for a homemade gift that feels thoughtful without being complicated.

What do you give someone when you want it to feel homemade, useful, and actually nice enough to leave sitting on the kitchen counter?

A Christmas simmer pot jar ticks all three boxes.

They’re simple to put together, but they still look beautifully festive once the ingredients are layered inside.

Dried orange slices, cinnamon sticks, cranberries, cloves, rosemary, star anise, there are so many combinations, and each one smells slightly different once it starts simmering.

They’re lovely for neighbours, teachers, coworkers, hostess gifts, or those last-minute presents that somehow sneak up every December.

These 25 DIY Christmas simmer pot gift jar ideas range from classic and cosy to a little more creative, with plenty of inspiration for making each jar feel special rather than thrown together.

 

1. Lemon, Cranberry & Cardamom 

This bright little mix feels fresh and festive without leaning too heavily into cinnamon.

Dried lemon slices bring a clean citrus scent, while cranberries add that classic Christmas red through the glass.

Whole cardamom pods give the blend a warm, slightly sweet spice that makes it smell far more interesting than a basic orange-and-cinnamon mix.

A red lid with a simple stitched ribbon and tiny felt tree keeps the jar looking homemade in the nicest way.

Add the ingredients to a saucepan with water, bring it to a gentle simmer, and top up the water whenever it starts getting low.

 

2. Apple, Orange & Star Anise 

This is such a pretty combination because you get those large dried orange wheels mixed with curled apple slices and dramatic star anise.

The scent is warm, fruity and gently spiced, so it works beautifully for December without smelling overly sweet.

A clamp-top jar makes the gift feel slightly more special, especially with the red ribbon and little holly detail tied around the neck.

You could prepare several of these at once and line them up for teachers, neighbours or hostess gifts.

To use it, empty the jar into a pot, cover with water and let everything simmer slowly on the hob.

 

3. Clementine, Vanilla & Clove 

Clementine and vanilla make such a cosy pairing, especially with cloves bringing in that unmistakable Christmas spice.

Dried citrus slices and peel fill most of the jar, with whole vanilla pods tucked through the centre so they are easy to spot.

The white lid and snowflake ribbon make the packaging feel clean and festive without going overboard.

A tiny stocking tied onto the ribbon is a cute finishing touch if you want the gift to feel a little more playful.

Once simmered with water, the citrus becomes softer while the vanilla and cloves create a warm scent that lingers through the kitchen.

 

4. Cranberry, Rosemary & Clove

This blend is a little more rustic and herbal than the sweeter fruit-heavy jars.

Deep red cranberries look beautiful against dried rosemary and whole cloves, especially inside a simple clear jar.

The rosemary gives the simmer pot a fresh evergreen note that makes the whole thing feel very Christmas-tree-adjacent.

I like the green ribbon and little red tree charm here because they mirror the colours inside instead of distracting from them.

Simmer the mixture gently in water and you will get a rich, woody, slightly spicy fragrance rather than a sugary one.

 

5. Orange, Ginger & Bay 

This combination has a really lovely balance of citrus, warmth and savoury depth.

Dried orange slices are layered with chunky pieces of dried ginger and large bay leaves, so the ingredients look good even before the jar is decorated.

The padded red tree-print lid cover makes the jar feel especially giftable and a little old-fashioned in a good way.

A simple white label keeps the front readable without covering too much of the ingredients.

Once it hits the simmering water, the ginger becomes the warmest note while the orange keeps everything bright.

 

6. Pear, Cardamom & Vanilla 

Pear is such a good choice when you want something softer and less obvious than orange.

Thin dried pear slices fill the jar, with green cardamom pods and dark vanilla beans creating a beautiful contrast.

The deep green lid and red velvet ribbon make the whole thing feel classic without looking overly decorated.

This one would make a lovely gift for someone who prefers warm, mellow scents rather than really strong spice.

Simmer it slowly in water and the pear turns sweet and gentle while vanilla and cardamom add warmth underneath.

 

 

7. Apple, Ginger & Cinnamon 

This is probably one of the cosiest combinations in the whole set.

Dried apple slices and ginger pieces fill the jar, while cinnamon sticks sit right at the front so the scent profile is obvious before the lid even comes off.

The red lid and snowflake ribbon give it that traditional Christmas look without needing extra embellishment.

It would work especially well as a small edible-style gift alongside tea, biscuits or a festive mug.

Add everything to water and simmer until the kitchen smells like warm apple, spice and Christmas baking.

 

8. Orange, Cranberry, Cinnamon & Clove 

This jar feels like Christmas in its most classic form.

Dried orange slices, cranberries, cinnamon sticks and cloves give you colour, texture and that instantly recognisable festive scent.

The little greenery wreath, red berry and hanging label make the packaging feel more finished than a basic ribbon-only jar.

I also like the tartan fabric peeking out beneath the lid because it adds pattern without covering the ingredients.

This is an easy blend to gift when you are not sure what scent someone likes because it is familiar, warm and crowd-pleasing.

 

9. Spiced Pear & Mandarin Simmer Pot Duo

A two-jar gift set is a clever way to make a simple simmer pot present feel much more substantial.

One jar is filled with dried pear, cinnamon and dark whole spices, while the smaller one uses mandarin peel, bay and cardamom.

Matching green lids and red velvet ribbon tie the two blends together visually even though the scents are completely different.

You could gift them as a “cosy night” and “fresh morning” pair, or simply let the recipient choose whichever they feel like simmering.

It is also a nice option when you want to give something homemade that still looks polished.

 

10. Christmas Simmer Pot Gift Set

Packing three small simmer jars together instantly turns them into a proper Christmas gift box.

This set mixes orange spice, apple vanilla and lemon rosemary, so there is a nice balance of sweet, citrusy and herbal scents.

The simple handwritten labels make each jar easy to identify without making the packaging look too commercial.

Kraft paper, shredded filler, evergreen and a red bow keep the box warm and rustic.

This would be such a good batch gift idea because you can prep several flavour combinations at once and arrange different trios for different people.

 

11. Peppermint & Vanilla Simmer Pot Jar

This one feels very different from the usual dried-orange-and-cinnamon route.

Dried peppermint leaves give the jar a rich green colour, while strips of citrus peel and whole vanilla beans lighten the mix.

The red-and-white striped ribbon makes the whole thing feel almost candy-cane inspired without being too literal.

Actual candy canes beside the jar make it especially cute if you are packaging the gift as part of a Christmas treat bundle.

Simmering the mix creates a fresher scent than most traditional simmer pots, with vanilla keeping the peppermint from feeling too sharp.

 

12. Sugar Plum Spice Simmer Pot Jar

This one has a deeper, moodier Christmas look thanks to the dark dried plums and purple velvet ribbon.

Orange peel, cinnamon sticks and whole spices add warmth and keep the fruit from becoming too sweet once simmered.

The glass jar lets those rich burgundy and amber tones become part of the gift itself.

A simple hanging label works especially well here because the ingredients are already visually striking.

This would be a lovely alternative for anyone who wants a simmer pot that feels more wintery and spiced than bright and citrusy.

 

13. Christmas Chai Simmer Pot Jar

This spice-heavy jar is packed with ingredients that already belong together.

Dried ginger, cinnamon sticks, cardamom and peppercorns create a warm chai-style blend with plenty of depth.

Because the mix is mostly neutral brown and green tones, the red tartan cloth underneath instantly makes the presentation feel more festive.

A simple hanging tag reading “Christmas Chai” is enough because the ingredients themselves do all the visual work.

Simmer it with water for a bold, warming fragrance that feels perfect for cold December evenings.

 

14. Lemon, Thyme & Vanilla Simmer Pot Jar

This is one of the prettiest options if you prefer something fresh rather than traditionally spicy.

Dried lemon slices sit against a generous bundle of thyme, with whole vanilla beans tucked neatly along one side.

The mix looks simple, but that simplicity is exactly what makes it elegant.

A red lid adds just enough Christmas colour while the little ceramic tree tag keeps the presentation festive.

Once simmered, the lemon and thyme smell bright and herbal, while vanilla softens everything into a warmer scent.

 

15. Hibiscus & Apple Simmer Pot Jar

This jar stands out immediately because the dried hibiscus gives the entire mix a deep wine-red colour.

Dried apple slices and cloves break up the darker petals and add a warm fruit-and-spice element.

The tall glass jar works especially well for this blend because it lets those layered colours show properly.

A dark green ribbon keeps the decoration understated and lets the ingredients remain the main feature.

Simmered in water, hibiscus adds a slightly tart floral note while apple and clove keep the fragrance cosy enough for Christmas.