Christmas Simmer Pot Gift Ideas: Easy DIY Holiday Gifts & Hostess Gifts

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There’s something about the scent of oranges, cinnamon, and fresh greenery that instantly makes a home feel like Christmas. And when you can turn those wonderful holiday fragrances into a thoughtful homemade gift, it’s even better!

One of my favorite inexpensive Christmas gifts is a homemade simmer pot filled with fragrant dried fruit, cinnamon sticks, and holiday spices. They’re simple to make, beautiful to package, and perfect for neighbors, teachers, friends, and holiday hostesses.

This year, I’m taking these little gifts a step further with some new packaging ideas, including cellophane cones, kraft window bags, glass jars, and even complete gift sets using a mini slow cooker or beautiful glass simmer pot.

And here’s the best part: You don’t have to dry your own fruit to make them! You can purchase dried ingredients, gather a few pretty packaging supplies, and assemble several gifts in one afternoon. I’ve also gathered some of my favorite simmer pot supplies in my storefront to make shopping easier.

Whether you’re making a handful of gifts or preparing several at once, these easy Christmas simmer pot gift ideas are a thoughtful way to share a little holiday cheer.

What Is a Christmas Simmer Pot Gift?

A Christmas simmer pot gift is a collection of fragrant dried fruits, spices, and herbs packaged together for someone to enjoy at home. When added to water and gently warmed on the stovetop or in a suitable slow cooker, the ingredients release a wonderful holiday fragrance. They’re a lovely alternative to candles or traditional home fragrance gifts.

I shared my original DIY Simmer Pot Gift for Fall & Christmas⁠, including how I dry oranges and apples using my Ninja Flip Oven. For these new Christmas gift ideas, I’m focusing on beautiful packaging, easy-to-shop ingredients, and a few ways to turn a simple simmer pot into a more substantial holiday gift.

Christmas Simmer Pot Ingredients

You only need a handful of ingredients to create a beautiful Christmas simmer pot gift. Some of my favorites include:

• Dried orange slices: Add a bright citrus fragrance and beautiful natural color.
• Dried apple slices: Bring a warm, subtle fruit fragrance.
• Cinnamon sticks: Give the simmer pot that classic cozy Christmas scent.
• Whole cloves: Add a rich, spicy holiday fragrance.
• Star anise: Beautiful to look at and wonderfully aromatic.
• Dried cranberries: Add festive red color to the gift.
• Dried rosemary: Adds a fresh, woodsy fragrance.

Christmas Simmer Pot Gift Tags, Labels & Beautiful Packaging

One of my favorite parts of making homemade Christmas simmer pot gifts is putting together the finishing touches. A beautiful ribbon, a simple kraft bag, and a pretty Christmas gift tag can turn a handful of dried fruit and spices into something that feels thoughtful and special.

Whether you’re making gifts for teachers, neighbors, friends, or holiday hostesses, the packaging doesn’t have to be expensive or complicated. I love using natural materials, classic Christmas colors, and printable labels to give each gift a beautiful, finished look.

Free Printable Christmas Simmer Pot Gift Tags

To make these homemade Christmas gifts even easier, I’ve included free printable Christmas simmer pot gift tags and labels that you can use with your own packaging. The printable designs are perfect for attaching to kraft window bags, cellophane cones, glass jars, or a complete simmer pot gift set.

Download Your Free Christmas Simmer Pot Gift Tags Here

Simply print your favorite designs, cut them out, and attach them to your gifts with ribbon or twine.

How to Print Your Christmas Simmer Pot Gift Tags

You don’t need any special equipment to create beautiful homemade Christmas gift tags.

1. Download the free printable Christmas simmer pot tags and labels.
2. Print them on white cardstock for sturdy gift tags or matte sticker paper for adhesive labels.
3. Cut along the edges of each design.
4. For hanging tags, punch a small hole near the top.
5. Attach your tag using velvet ribbon, natural twine, or decorative Christmas ribbon.

*Living Layered Tip: I love using matte sticker paper for kraft window bags and glass jars. For hanging gift tags, a heavier cardstock gives them a more polished look.

Beautiful Christmas Simmer Pot Gift Packaging Ideas

The presentation is what makes these simple homemade gifts feel extra special. Here are a few of my favorite ways to package them:

Choose a simple color palette. Deep green, burgundy, cream, natural kraft paper, and warm gold look beautiful together for Christmas.

Use quality ribbon. Velvet, linen, or satin ribbon instantly makes a simple package feel more special.

Let the ingredients show – There’s no need to cover them up with excessive decorations:

• Kraft Window Bags – Kraft bags with clear windows are one of my favorite options. The natural paper looks beautiful with dried oranges, cinnamon sticks, and greenery peeking through the front.

• Clear Cellophane Cones – Clear cellophane cones are an inexpensive option for making several Christmas gifts at once. I love how the colorful dried fruit and spices become part of the presentation.

• Glass Jars – Glass jars are another beautiful way to package simmer pot ingredients. Layer the dried fruit and spices inside, add a printable label, and finish with ribbon around the lid. The recipient can reuse the jar long after Christmas.

Mini Slow Cooker or Glass Simmer Pot Gift Sets – For a more substantial Christmas hostess gift, place the packaged simmer pot ingredients inside a small slow cooker or pair them with a beautiful glass simmer pot. Add a folded tea towel, wooden spoon, holiday ornament, a Christmas gift tag, and a little ribbon for a thoughtful gift that feels complete.

My Favorite Supplies for Packaging Christmas Simmer Pot Gifts

I’ve gathered some of my favorite Christmas simmer pot gift-making supplies in one place to make shopping easier. You’ll find kraft window bags, glass simmer pots, small slow cookers, printable sticker paper, and other supplies to help create these homemade Christmas gifts.

Shop Christmas Simmer Pot Supplies Here

When to Make Christmas Simmer Pot Gifts

These are wonderful gifts to prepare ahead of the busy holiday season. Start by gathering your dried ingredients and packaging supplies. If you’re making several gifts, arrange everything on a table and work assembly-line style. Fill your bags or jars, attach the instruction tags, and finish each gift with ribbon.

Store completed gifts in a cool, dry location away from moisture and direct sunlight. For gifts intended to be stored at room temperature, use only completely dried ingredients. Fresh fruit, cranberries, and herbs require different handling and should not be sealed into shelf-stable gift packages.

I love having a few extra gifts ready for last-minute invitations, unexpected visitors, and neighbors who stop by during the holidays.

Ideas for Gifting the Christmas Simmer Pots

1. Christmas Simmer Pot Gifts in Cellophane Cones

One of the prettiest ways to package Christmas simmer pot ingredients is in clear cellophane cones.

I love this idea because the ingredients become part of the decoration. The dried orange slices, cinnamon sticks, and fragrant spices look beautiful layered inside the clear packaging.

They’re also inexpensive and easy to make in batches.

How to Make Them

1. Start with a clear, food-safe cellophane cone.
2. Add your dried simmer pot ingredients, arranging the orange slices and cinnamon sticks so they’re visible.
3. Gather the top of the cone and secure it tightly.
4. Tie with velvet ribbon, natural twine, or a pretty Christmas ribbon.
5. Attach a Christmas gift tag with simmer pot instructions.

2. Kraft Window Bags for Christmas Simmer Pot Gifts

Kraft paper bags with clear windows are another favorite packaging option.

They’re simple, affordable, and have a natural, understated look that works beautifully with Christmas greenery and ribbon.

I especially like how the clear window allows the colorful dried ingredients to show through.

You can use zip-top kraft pouches with clear fronts or the taller tin-tie kraft bakery bags that I already featured in my original simmer pot project.

How to Assemble

1. Choose a food-safe kraft bag with a clear window.
2. Fill with your completely dried simmer pot ingredients.
3. Arrange the dried oranges and cinnamon sticks so they show through the window.
4. Seal the bag securely.
5. Add a decorative label or gift tag.
6. Finish with a ribbon or small sprig of faux evergreen.

3. Christmas Simmer Pot Gifts in Glass Jars

Glass jars are a classic way to package homemade gifts, and they’re especially pretty for Christmas simmer pots.

The transparent glass shows off the dried citrus, cinnamon sticks, star anise, and other fragrant ingredients. Choose a clear jar with a fitted lid and arrange the ingredients so the colors and textures are visible.

How to Make Them

1. Choose a clean, completely dry glass jar.
2. Add your dried oranges, apples, cinnamon sticks, and spices.
3. Layer the ingredients for a pretty presentation.
4. Secure the lid.
5. Tie ribbon or natural twine around the top.
6. Attach a simmer pot instruction tag.

4. Mini Slow Cooker or Glass Simmer Pot Christmas Gift Set

This might be one of my favorite Christmas gift ideas! Instead of giving only the simmer pot ingredients, pair them with a small slow cooker or glass simmer pot to create a complete gift.

A mini 1–1.5 quart slow cooker or glass simmer pot is a wonderful size for gently warming fragrant simmer pot ingredients, provided the model is suitable for this use. It’s a thoughtful gift that can be enjoyed throughout the holiday season and used for other purposes afterward.

What to Include

• A mini slow cooker or glass simmer pot
• A sealed package of dried Christmas simmer pot ingredients
• A pretty holiday tea towel
• Wooden spoon
• Christmas ornament

Important: Choose a glass simmer pot specifically rated for the recipient’s stovetop and follow the manufacturer’s heating and care instructions. This is a wonderful gift for someone who enjoys entertaining, decorating, or simply making their home feel warm and welcoming during the holidays.

Shop My Christmas Simmer Pot Gift Essentials

A Thoughtful Christmas Gift That Doesn’t Have to Cost a Fortune

The holidays can get expensive, especially when you’re shopping for teachers, neighbors, friends, and all the little people you want to remember during the season. That’s why I love homemade Christmas gifts like these. They’re simple, thoughtful, and easy to personalize depending on who you’re giving them to.

Whether you choose a cellophane cone tied with velvet ribbon, a kraft window bag, a glass jar, or a complete gift set with a mini slow cooker or glass simmer pot, it’s the thoughtful presentation that makes each one special.

More Homemade Christmas Gift Ideas

If you’d like to make your own dried fruit, be sure to visit my original DIY Simmer Pot Gift for Fall & Christmas⁠ for the full tutorial, including how I dry fruit using my Ninja Flip Oven.

Another Homemade gift I love is DIY Homemade Vanilla Extract. Its a thoughtful gift for anyone who enjoys baking during the holidays,

I’d love to know which gift idea is your favorite! Would you choose the simple kraft bags or put together a complete simmer pot gift set?

Save this article to Pinterest so you’ll have these easy homemade Christmas gift ideas ready when holiday gift giving begins!