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If you’re like me, stovetop potpourri is an absolute must during the holiday season. There’s something so special about a simmering pot of fresh herbs and seasonal fruits filling your home with those warm, inviting scents. It’s natural, it’s beautiful, and – let’s be honest – it smells amazing. But here’s the best part: it’s not just for your home, it makes the perfect gift, too! Whether you’re gifting it to family, friends, teachers, neighbors, or a hostess, it’s a thoughtful, personal, and useful way to show someone you care.

Now, after years of giving and receiving stovetop potpourri around Christmas, I had an idea—why not add a Desi twist and make it Diwali-ready? That’s exactly what I did, and let me tell you, it was a hit! The warm, spicy, and floral notes combined with traditional South Asian ingredients create a scent that’s as festive as Diwali itself. The blend of jasmine, cardamom, rose petals, and sandalwood is both luxurious and comforting. So let’s get started!

My Go-To Simmer Pot Recipe

What I love about stovetop potpourri is how customizable it is. You can experiment with all sorts of ingredients as well as their quantities, so feel free to make it your own. But, here’s my tried-and-true recipe that always gets rave reviews:

• Dried jasmine flowers
• Cardamon pods
• Whole cloves
• Dried orange slices
• Dried rose petals
• Star anise
• Sandalwood
• Cinnamon sticks
• Jasmine essential oil (a few drops for that extra aromatic boost – don’t skip this!)

Shop here for everything you need!

How to Make It:

1. Start by filling a glass mason jar with the ingredients. You can layer them or mix them together.
2. Seal the jar tightly and tie a cute ribbon and a gift tag around it. Don’t forget to add a little note with instructions—it’s a nice personal touch.
3. When it’s time to use, just add about 2 cups of water to your simmer pot, bring it to a simmer over medium heat, and let the magic happen. You may need to add more water as it evaporates, but that’s about it!

Want to see how it’s done? Watch me fill my own jars in this video tutorial!

If you want to take it a step further, you can include a stovetop-safe simmer pot with the gift. It’s not only thoughtful but makes it a complete package. It also adds such a nice touch of convenience for the recipient.

Bonus Tip: Make a jar or two for yourself, too! If you’re hosting, it’s always great to have a few extra on hand to fill your home with the warm scents of the Diwali season!

You can find more pictures and details on my Pinterest and saved to my Instagram highlights!