Spicy Winter Christmas Potpourri
Visually relaxing and evoking fond memories of Christmas seasons past, Spicy Winter Christmas Basket potpourri is so fragrant it will last the whole season long without needing any preservatives. (For more potpourri ideas; herbal recipes for food—how to make different cheeses, Boursin, mustards, spice blends, etc; herbal healing; natural hair preparations; all natural and herbal bath preparations; etc, check the ‘categories’ sections of betweenclosefriends.com)
The strong outdoorsy scent of the natural fresh balsam fir has long been used in North America and Europe as an inhalant treatment for congestion and chest infections such as bronchitis, because of its antiseptic and stimulant effects. The pinecones and dark pods have a woodsy appeal, with their calming brown tones gently radiating a visually soothing effect on jagged nerves through the bustle of the pre-Christmas rush. The white carnations are both visually calming and scentually soothing, with the red holly berries and the spicy scents of cinnamon and allspice rejuvenating.
To create your Spicy Winter Christmas Potpourri:
- In a decorative brown Christmas basket or a large wooden bowl, arrange 2-3 small fresh balsam fir branches on the bottom.
- Place 3-4 large pinecones over top.
- Toss together in a separate bowl:
½ c whole white carnations
5-6 medium cones and/or dark pods 1½ c fresh balsam needles and tips
6 cinnamon sticks, each 4-6” long.
4. Empty this mixture over the balsam branches, then sprinkle ½ c allspice and ½ c fresh holly berries decoratively overtop so that they peek out from between the petals of the cones.
5. Tie a thick velvet red ribbon around the basket or bowl, and attach a large red bow to add Christmas visual impact.
(If you feel that you need to boost the spicy scents a little, you can add 1 or 2 drops of carnation oil to the basket)
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