11 Sweet + Spicy Stovetop Scents That Make Your Home Holiday Happy

You (and your nose) can thank us later.

What better way to greet autumn guests than with the comforting aroma of fresh-baked sweets wafting from your kitchen counter? The answer likely being, "greeting guests with actual fresh-baked sweets."

In theory, I can agree that yes, greeting visitors with a batch of warm, crumbly gingerbread cookies would be the ideal holiday hostess welcome. That said, sometimes you're just trying to mask that incessant (though, darling) dog odor or the notorious clothes-that-were-forgotten-in-the-wash-and-now-smell-super-questionable situation — am I right?

Looking for an easy solution that will have all your guests thinking you live in a magical, merry place that smells like Christmas and Thanksgiving all rolled into one? A solution that also requires zero baking skills, at that? Stovetop scents, people. Stovetop scents.

Stove-scent: BS

Photo by: iStock/zi3000

iStock/zi3000

To make, simply fill a pot or saucepan with 2-3 cups of water and your desired ingredients. Turn up the heat and bring contents to a boil before reducing to a simmer. Be sure to continue adding water as needed, then revel in the delightful aroma from every room in your house.

Not sure where to start? No problem. I've got 11 sinfully-easy stovetop scent combos, all of which are guaranteed to have your home smelling like happiness in a matter of minutes.

Cinnamon Apple Crumble

Stove-top Scent: Cinnamon Apple

Photo by: iStock/zi3000

iStock/zi3000

  • 2 sliced apples
  • 3 cinnamon sticks
  • lemon rind
  • 1 tsp. vanilla extract
  • 3 whole cloves

Pumpkin Pie

Stove Scent: Pumpkin

Photo by: iStock/bhofack2

iStock/bhofack2

  • 1 tbsp. pumpkin pie spice
  • 1 tsp. vanilla extract
  • 2 cinnamon sticks

Spiced Orange

Stove-top Scent: Spicy Orange

Photo by: iStock/Tartalja

iStock/Tartalja

  • 1/3 cup fresh cranberries
  • 2 oranges
  • 1 lemon
  • 2 whole nutmeg
  • 1 tbsp. whole cloves
  • 3 cinnamon sticks
  • 2 bay leaves

Cranberry + Cinnamon Spice Cobbler

Stove-scent: Cranberry

Photo by: iStock/brebca

iStock/brebca

  • 1/2 orange, sliced
  • 4 cinnamon sticks
  • 2 cups cranberries
  • 2 tsp. nutmeg
  • 1 tbsp. vanilla extract

Naughty or Spice

Christmas Spice

Photo by: iStock/TKphotography64

iStock/TKphotography64

Add any combination of the following for a truly intoxicating, spicy aroma: whole cloves, anise stars, whole peppercorns, dried or fresh ginger, dried or fresh lemon peel, dried or fresh orange peel.

Gingerbread Cookie

Stove-top Scent: Gingerbread Cookie

Photo by: iStock/Tartalja

iStock/Tartalja

  • 10 slices fresh ginger
  • 3 cinnamon sticks
  • 1 tbsp. vanilla extract
  • 1 orange rind

Candy Cane 

Stove-top Scent: Candy Cane

Photo by: iStock/karandaev

iStock/karandaev

  • 2 vanilla beans, sliced
  • 5-10 drops of peppermint essential oil

Christmas Tree

Best Christmas Trees

Scotch Pine

The scotch pine is one of the most common Christmas trees in the United States, loved for its dark green color and longevity.

Photo by: Image courtesy of The National Christmas Tree Association

Image courtesy of The National Christmas Tree Association

  • handful of fresh pine twigs
  • 1 lemon rind
  • 2 cinnamon sticks
  • 3 bay leaves
  • 1 tsp. nutmeg

Sleepy-Time Scent

Stove Scents: Sleepy

Photo by: iStock/tanjichica7

iStock/tanjichica7

  • 2 sprigs of fresh lavender
  • 1 tsp. whole cloves
  • 1 tbsp. nutmeg

Fresh Floral + Mint

Stove Scents: Floral Mint

Photo by: iStock/botamochi

iStock/botamochi

  • handful of fresh lavender sprigs
  • 1 drop of eucalyptus oil
  • 3 drops of peppermint oil

Make Cinnamon-Scented Pinecones

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