Uncommon Scents: Moroccan Amber Holiday Simmering Pot

Scent — the first thing I notice upon entering a new space. This holiday, I plan on making my home smell extra-special.

On a weekly basis, come holiday time, I concoct some sort of traditional pine-y simmering pot, adding in the typical cloves, cranberries and oranges, letting it simmer on low, and indulging in its seasonal punch. This year, I decided to mix it up a bit. Inspired by our December catalog,  I looked eastward for my new accompaniments, without forfeiting those favorite seasonal scents.

What you need:
Freshly dried ginger
Cardamom
Cinnamon sticks
Amber paste essential oil
Star anise
Vanilla extract
Dried bay leaves
Oranges *optional
Cranberries *optional

To start, fill a pot about halfway with water. Add the ingredients above, starting with 1-2 drops of amber oil and 1 tbsp of vanilla. You can use as little or as much of each ingredient, depending on what you like and how potent you’d like each ingredient to be.

I chose to keep the traditional oranges and cranberries in my pot — I love the fruity tanginess and intensity. Their colors yield vibrancy AND pair wonderfully with the other ingredients. The amber paste essential oil really made this simmering pot feel warm and spicy, incorporating a woodsy yet sweet smell that somehow pulled all of the scents together. The fresh ginger was extremely fragrant, creating a sharp note that contrasted the sweet.

Let pot simmer on low before guests arrive, or throughout any (and every!) day.

+What scents do you love for the holidays? Would you put a twist on a traditional scent? Let me know in the comments!

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