DIY Dried Simmer Pot Jars - A Heartwarming Gift For Any Season

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Discover the joy of gifting with DIY dried simmer pot jars. These charming, aromatic gifts are perfect for friends and neighbors year-round. Follow our simple guide to create these lovely presents!

Dried simmer pot jars are a beautiful, inexpensive, and lovely gift to give neighbors and friends any time of the year. It happens to be one of my favorite DIY gifts because it is so festive, and who doesn’t love the scent of herbs and spices?

What Are Simmer Pots?

Simmer pots are a delightful way to fill your home with natural, aromatic scents. By gently simmering a mix of dried fruits, herbs, and spices in water, you can create a warm and inviting atmosphere. They are perfect for any season, offering a simple, natural alternative to chemical air fresheners. Plus, they make for stunning and thoughtful gifts!

A Personal Touch to Gifting

Every year, usually starting in the fall when gardening tasks begin to wind down, I dive into crafting. This includes creating handmade and homemade gifts to share during the holidays and throughout the year. I love having a variety of items on hand for these occasions. For instance, if I’m invited to dinner, I like to bring a hostess gift. Or, if I want to thank someone for a kind gesture, I have a homemade gift ready. These gifts range from homemade soap and crocheted cotton dishcloths to jar mixes for hot cocoa or cookies, and bath melts. You get the idea.

These simmer pot jars make wonderful gifts, too. They look especially lovely when packaged with a little gift tag. Use mason jars, homemade gift tags with instructions for using the simmer pot ingredients, and baker’s twine to make these gifts truly charming.

What You Will Need

Seasonal fruit
Dried herbs (sage, rosemary, thyme, mint etc.)
Baking sheet
Printable tags
Cardstock
Cinnamon sticks
Spices (star anise, whole cloves, cardamom pods, pink peppercorns)
Glass mason jars: 8-oz.
Twine

How to Make Dried Simmer Pot Jars

Step 1: Preparing the Potpourri

Slice the Fruit: Start by slicing your seasonal fruit into uniform pieces. Apples, oranges, and lemons work wonderfully.
Dehydrate: Place the sliced fruit and herbs onto a lined baking sheet. Set your oven to its lowest temperature and dehydrate the fruit and herbs for six to eight hours. Ensure the fruit is completely dry to prevent mold growth.
Dehydrate Using a Dehydrator: Alternatively, you can use a dehydrator for this step. Arrange the fruit and herbs in a single layer on the dehydrator trays. Set the dehydrator to 135°F (or as recommended by the manufacturer for fruits and herbs). Dehydrate for 6-12 hours, checking periodically until the fruit is dry and leathery but not crispy.
Cool and Store: Once dehydrated, remove from the oven and let cool. Store in an airtight container until you’re ready to assemble the jars.

Step 2: Assembling the Jars

Print and Cut Tags: Print out the free printable tags on cardstock and cut them out using scissors or a paper trimmer. Punch a hole in the upper left corner.
Fill the Jars: Place a varying amount of dried fruit, herbs, cinnamon sticks, and spices into small glass jars until full.
Add Tags and Twine: Tie gift tags with instructions around the lid of the jars using baker’s twine, ribbon, or raffia.
Decorate: Adorn the jars with other embellishments that you think add charm to the gift. Be creative! Consider adding round pieces of kraft paper, cloth, or burlap tied with string around the top of the jar.

Printable Gift Tag Instructions

Here’s a simple instruction to print on your gift tags, or use these free printable tags:

How to Use Your Simmer Pot Jar:

Fill a small pot with water.
Add the contents of the jar.
Bring to a gentle simmer on low heat.
Enjoy the aromatic scents filling your home!”

Final Thoughts

Dried simmer pot jars are not only easy and affordable to make, but they also carry a personal touch that store-bought gifts often lack. With a bit of creativity, you can make each jar unique and perfectly suited to the recipient. Happy crafting!

Remember, these delightful jars are perfect for any occasion and make an excellent addition to your list of go-to DIY gifts. Enjoy the process and the joy these homemade treasures bring to your friends and neighbors!

More to Explore

If you enjoyed this article about making DIY simmer pot jars, be sure to check out our other articles on simmer pots and DIY projects perfect for gifting! Discover more creative ideas and step-by-step guides to make your homemade gifts extra special.

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DIY Dried Simmer Pot Jars – A Heartwarming Gift for Any Season