get your "holiday simmer" on...

gather these few ingredients together and you're minutes away from getting your "holiday simmer" on...*wink*

seriously. i've found this to be one of my most favorite and most simple ways of inviting the "holiday spirit" into my home. It fills the air with a most wonderful scent. the best part is...it only takes minutes, few ingredients & little effort.

for those of you who've tried this...have you got yours going yet this holiday season?

for those who are new to this & curious...keep reading.

here's what you'll need:

3 orange slices

5-6 whole cloves

3 cinnamon sticks

here's what you do:

- fill a small saucepan with water

- add the ingredients listed above

- bring the saucepan to a boil

- reduce to simmer

- simmer for as long as you want & continue to replenish water as needed

although this is wonderful as is...feel free to get creative with this.

change up the amounts of the ingredients to suit your taste/smell.

and then get crazy and add your favorite spices.

i happen to love nutmeg and vanilla so i added those for some extra goodness.

and i love the look of the peel from a red apple - so i threw that in there too.

see...it even looks pretty simmering on the stove?

the BEST part?

you can package up the simple ingredients & include a list of instructions to share with neighbors/friends/family/teachers/bus drivers...it's a simple holiday gift.

it's easy.

it's thoughtful.

and it's a great way to help jump start the holiday spirit...