This is a VERY simple project and I think the outcome is a very nice gift or a lovely thing for you to have around your house. All you need is a jar (please use glass or ceramic with potpourri, baskets okay too), some potpourri (I recycled) and whatever you want to use to add a festive look to the container. BTW after Christmas very easy to swap this out for a Valentine's Day theme or St. Paddy's Day, etc. Just change your ribbon and add-on.
Also I need to note that if you have small children you will need to either put this up where they cannot reach or not have at all because many of the oils that are used in commercial potpourri are not safe to eat - lots of petroleum distillates, etc. We also have a family story that lends truth to the fact that some adults need to be told to not "eat the potpourri." I had some potpourri that was yummy apple pie smelling and dear Henry (older gentlemen) was seen munching on an apple slice. No emergency room visit was necessary.
Start with a nice clean jar. I will give you the resource later for this rustic, quilted looking jar that is designed for potpourri.
These were all the items needed - wax paper, oils and some old potpourri, plus not showing I always wear latex gloves when I am working with oils. Just put the potpourri into a heavy plastic bag, add the oil of choice (for this I used cinnamon oil), set it out on wax paper for a day or so and then put into your container. You can refresh the potpourri the same way. This does not have to be expensive as the $ store had bags of potpourri - to me the fragrance is not particularly good but if you add essential oils you will get a good product at a very reasonable price.
I also want to make some pine-cone potpourri this season so will share a recipe. I am lucky to be within driving distance of a National forest so I can go and pick up cones (if I get there before too much snow arrives). I checked the Forest Service website and a permit is not necessary to pick up cones.
A NOTE ABOUT OILS:
People often refer to essential oils and fragrance oils
interchangeably because of their similarities, but some important differences
distinguish them from each other. Essential oils are natural chemicals that are
extracted from the leaves, flowers, stems, roots or bark of plants. They are
not true oils, but are the aromatic and volatile essences derived from
botanical s. Fragrance oils (also called perfume oils) are usually synthetic;
chemists analyze the plants’ components and reproduce their chemical
compositions. Although essential oil blends (combinations of essential oils)
are not synthetic, some suppliers call them fragrance or perfume oils.
WINTER MIX
POTPOURRI
8 lbs (approximately) Pine Cones (any type of cones or
pods)
3/4 oz Bayberry Oil
1/4 oz Cinnamon Oil
1/4 oz Clove Oil
1/4 oz Orange Oil
1/8 oz Bay Oil
3/4 oz Bayberry Oil
1/4 oz Cinnamon Oil
1/4 oz Clove Oil
1/4 oz Orange Oil
1/8 oz Bay Oil
Use a 30 gallon trash bag 3/4 full with cones. Sprinkle the
oils over the cones, mixing them so that the oils are distributed evenly.
Fasten shut near the top of the bag, leaving room to jiggle and mix the cones
around occasionally, for a few days 'til the scents are blended.
Display in decorative baskets or bowls along with, for color
and variety, long cinnamon sticks, tangerines or cedar tips, or your own cut
evergreen tips. Or keep by the fireplace and toss in for a quick burst of
scent.
Resource:
Potpourri, $ store
Essential oils, drug store, grocery store, craft stores (you
will find in the candle making and soap making section).
Ribbon, May Arts, red & green pom-pom
Greenery & berries, $ store pick
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