I love using essential oils to fill my home with the smell of Christmas!
- The sweet peppermint scent of candy canes
- Orange that reminds me of my favorite childhood scratch-and-sniff Christmas book, The Sweet Smell of Christmas by Patricia Scarry
- Spruce and fir that bring back the feeling of finding the perfect Christmas tree
So many wonderful Christmas scents!
Ways to use essential oils at Christmas
I diffuse peppermint, evergreen, and orange scents with a traditional ultrasonic diffuser, but that isn’t always practical. Outlets aren’t available everywhere, and I don’t always want a diffuser running in every room. For those situations I use room sprays, homemade reed diffusers, and other passive diffusers made with essential oils.
A Christmas potpourri jar diffuser is one of my favorite options. It’s attractive, portable, and works well in spots where plugging in a diffuser isn’t convenient—bathrooms, small closets, or tucked into seasonal displays.
How to make an essential oil potpourri diffuser
Please note: this post originally included affiliate links. If you click certain links and make a purchase, the author may receive a small commission at no extra cost to you.
Step 1: Start with a mason jar that has air holes in its lid
Choose the jar size you prefer. Small jars can be charming clustered together, while wide-mouth jars make arranging potpourri and adding oils easier. You can find open-lid mason jar tops at craft stores or online. Be sure to match the lid size to your jar.
Step 2: Gather potpourri and decorative pieces
I used:
- Pinecones
- Evergreen sprigs
- Berries
- Ice-crystal picks
- Wood slices
- Small decorative balls
Craft stores carry these items. Choose a few pieces that will absorb and hold essential oil—natural pinecones, wood slices, felt, or wool work particularly well.
Step 3: Add essential oil to absorbent pieces
Apply essential oils to items that will soak up and slowly release scent, such as wood slices or pinecones. For a large jar, I use about 20–25 drops total. Add more oil later to refresh the scent as needed. Depending on oil strength and jar size, a scent can last from a day to a week or more.
Step 4: Layer items into the jar
Start with larger pieces on the bottom, then fill gaps with smaller items. Arrange absorbent pieces so they’re exposed and able to release scent. Press your prettiest items against the glass so they’ll show when the jar is on display.
Step 5: Finish with a lid and ribbon
Screw on the lid with the air holes and tie a ribbon around the jar neck for a finished look. Refresh by adding a few drops of essential oil to the absorbent pieces whenever the scent fades.
Christmas essential oils and blend recipes
Single oils that smell like Christmas (use 20–25 drops)
- Peppermint
- Spruce
- Sweet orange
- Cinnamon (use only about 10 drops—it’s strong)
Blend recipes
- 15 drops sweet orange + 3 drops cinnamon + 6 drops spruce
- 8 drops spruce + 8 drops sweet orange + 2 drops clove + 2 drops cinnamon
- 8 drops frankincense + 8 drops myrrh + 8 drops sweet orange
- 15 drops peppermint + 7 drops ylang ylang
- 14 drops eucalyptus + 8 drops juniper berry + 2 drops sage
- 6 drops cinnamon + 8 drops sweet orange + 10 drops fir
- 12 drops sweet orange + 12 drops peppermint
- 12 drops sweet orange + 7 drops cinnamon + 5 drops clove
- 12 drops fir + 12 drops cedarwood
- 12 drops fir + 6 drops grapefruit + 6 drops frankincense
How to use your potpourri diffuser
- Place the diffuser in a small, enclosed space like a bathroom, bedroom, or pantry for best results.
- Top up the absorbent pieces with additional drops of essential oil to refresh the scent when it fades.
Where to get supplies
Wide-mouth mason jars, open-air mason jar lids, wood slices, pinecones, and other decorative picks are available at craft stores or online. Choose items that will hold essential oil to get the best, longest-lasting fragrance.
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Please note: Products mentioned in this article have not been evaluated by the FDA. This information is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. It is not a substitute for professional medical advice—always consult your medical provider for health concerns.
Disclaimer: This article may contain affiliate links. If you click certain links and make a purchase, the author may receive a small commission at no extra cost to you.
