Homemade Vanilla Potpourri

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Things You'll Need

  • 6 whole vanilla beans

  • 3 cinnamon sticks

  • 2 whole nutmegs

  • 1/2 cup allspice

  • 1/2 cup anise

  • 1/4 cup whole cloves

  • 1/2 cup dried rose petals

  • French vanilla fragrance oil

  • 1 plastic bag

  • Hammer

  • Scissors

  • 1 Mason jar

  • Glass Vase

Make your own potpourri at home.

Potpourri is an aromatic blend of dried ingredients used to add a pleasant fragrance in enclosed spaces such as bathrooms, living rooms and offices. Key potpourri ingredients include dried leaves, flowers, scented oils, whole spices and seeds, although virtually any dehydrated item can be added to your mix. Potpourri is widely available for purchase; however, many commercial potpourris do include added chemicals to enhance the smell. Making your own potpourri allows you to control exactly what scents will come to life.

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Step 1

Chop the vanilla beans with your scissors. The finer you cut the vanilla the stronger the scent will be. However, you may want to keep some of the beans longer for added aesthetics.

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Step 2

Break up the nutmeg and cinnamon sticks manually. Grab a plastic bag and make sure it has no holes. Place the fragmented pieces of nutmeg and cinnamon into the bag.

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Step 3

Hammer the plastic bag cautiously until the nutmeg and cinnamon are in tiny pieces. Be careful as you don't want to crush the ingredients into powder.

Step 4

Add the allspice, anise and whole cloves directly into the plastic bag with the crushed nutmeg and cinnamon. Gently pound the mixture for a few moments but again make sure nothing turns into powder.

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Step 5

Place the dried rose petals into a Mason jar. Pour the contents of your plastic bag mixture into jar. Add the chopped vanilla beans over top.

Step 6

Pour a few drops of French vanilla fragrance oil on top of your potpourri in the Mason jar. The more drops you add the stronger your potpourri will be. Seal the Mason jar tightly.

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Step 7

Allow the mixture to stay sealed in the jar for approximately three weeks. When it's ready, empty into a beautiful glass vase and put it on display.

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