How to Make Homemade Mulling Spices … the Perfect Teacher Gift or Hostess Gift this Christmas!

Okay…I realize that I re-post this post on homemade mulling spices every year. But I’m not going to apologize…not gonna do it. Because mulling spices really are that good. And they never get old.

If you ever stop by casa de Scott during the months of December or January, don’t be surprised to find a pot of mulling spices simmering on our stove…wafting its sweet and spicy goodness throughout our home. The smells are just so inviting, nostalgic, warm, homey, and goooood!

But don’t keep these delicious holiday smells to yourself – mulling spices are the perfect hostess gift … teacher gift … or thank you gift. Not only are they inexpensive, but they are also so easy to throw together…and the end result seems to be so much more personable to me than the typical gift fare.  All you have to do is gather the ingredients, put them in a container, and tie it up with an instruction tag and pretty ribbon and you’ve got a great gift!

So below I’ve provided you all that you’ll need to make your own mulling spices…as well as show you how to wrap them up as gifts, with a printable tag to boot!

Recipe for Homemade Mulling Spices

So here’s the recipe for each serving:

• • One orange
  • 3/4 cup of fresh, whole cranberries
  • 3-5 cinnamon sticks (3″-4″ length)
  • 1 T whole cloves

I wanna share the same shopping tip that I have in the past. Cinnamon sticks can get expensive if you buy a small jar of them from the spice aisle at your local grocery store.  I would suggest that you buy them in bulk if you plan on making them as gifts.  But even if you don’t, since they have a long shelf life it’s still totally worth the savings.

I found a 9 oz. jar of cinnamon sticks at our International Farmers market for less than $4.00. In comparison, this jar of 75 sticks was actually cheaper than the small jar of 6 cinnamon sticks that I found at my local grocery store.  So it definitely pays to buy these wisely. (For convenience, if you want to buy them online you can by clicking here or on the link above.)

Instructions for Homemade Mulling Spices

The cooking instructions for your homemade mulling spices are oh-so-easy!

• • Cut your orange into quarters.
  • Place the orange quarters and all the other ingredients into a small pot and fill with water.
  • Simmer on low heat.
  • Add water throughout the day to continue enjoying the sweet and spicy aroma.

That’s it…you’re done. It’s that easy!  Now…if you want to give mulling spices as gifts, keep reading.

Packaging Your Homemade Mulling Spices as a Gift

When I give mulling spices as gifts I typically use either a cellophane bag or a mason jar…depending on my budget. If you use a mason jar, make sure it’s a wide-mouthed jar and that you buy oranges than can fit through the opening.  I use the quart size jars. But regardless of which container I use, I typically add the orange last.

How you complete your mulling spices package is really what makes it look special.

• • To make it super easy for you I’ve created a cute printable tag sheet complete with cooking instructions.
  • I prefer printing the tags on brown kraft card stock.
  • The tag can be cut into a square…or if you are crafty and have a circle cutter, you can also cut them out in a circle.
  • I use the instruction tag as my gift tag too.  I just flip it over and write a personal message and sign my name!

• • For a cellophane bag, I simply add a tag and tie it off with a cute ribbon.
  • When using a mason jar, I like to cut a piece of burlap fabric to cover the lid. Then I either put the tag above the burlap or tie it off with a ribbon or thin red/white bakers twine. To top it all off I’ll often add a few evergreen sprigs tied up in the bow.

So there you have it…all you need to know to make your very own mulling spices…or give away as  a thoughtful, yet inexpensive and easy gift for this Christmas season!  I hope you enjoy them…we sure are!

Merry Christmas friends,

 

 

 

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