Holidays are times for hosting family and friends, and just enjoying the decorations and atmosphere. You can easily enhance the effect with DIY citrus scents. The combination of citrus, spices and other ingredients will add luscious scents to the air, and help you create the kind of environment you enjoy.
Of course, there’s nothing to say that you can’t enjoy the naturally stimulating odors of citrus and other ingredients at any time of the year.
Method #1: Oven Potpourri
3 oranges
5 star anise
3 cinnamon sticks
1 tablespoon whole cloves
- Preheat the oven to 200°F, and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- Wash the oranges, and pat them dry. Slice the navel and opposite ends off, and discard. Slice the fruit in the round as thinly as you can.
- Arrange the slices in a single layer on the baking sheet. Sprinkle the cloves on top.
- Place the baking sheet in the middle rack and allow to dry thoroughly for at least 2 hours.
- The oranges should be dry, but not browned.
- Remove from the oven, and allow the orange slices to cool.
- Add to a bowl, combining with the cinnamon sticks and star anise.
- Cover with plastic wrap for about 30 minutes to let the scents blend, then place in an area where the fragrance will waft around the room.
Tip: Spritz with a combination of water and a few drops of orange essential oil every day or two to help it last longer.
Options: Add a handful of flowers to the oranges. If you use flowers, you’ll want to wait until about 10 minutes before the oranges are done before adding to the baking sheet since they dry quickly.
Method #2: Stovetop
Holiday recipe:
2 mandarin oranges
1 cup whole cranberries
3 cinnamon sticks
3 star anise
Everyday recipe:
2 fresh lemons, sliced
4 sprigs fresh mint
Both recipes:
- Fill a large pot (5-6 cups) with water.
- Slice the citrus fruit, and place in the pot along with the other ingredients.
- Heat to boiling slowly at a medium setting. Once it’s boiling, cover and reduce heat to low. Simmer for hours for a luscious scent to your home.
- Check water levels and add more if it begins to dry up.
Tip: You can also use your slow cooker for this fragrant recipe.
