Martha Stewart's Homemade Holiday Gift Ideas

Apple Cider Potpourri

There's nothing quite like the sweet smells of Christmas, and this potpourri will leave a home smelling like the jolly holiday all year round. 

Start with a square of cheesecloth. In it, place any assortment of herbs and spices you like. Martha's favorites are star anise, cinnamon sticks, orange peel, cloves and candied ginger. Cardamom, allspice and bay leaves also work. 

Tie the cheesecloth with a string to make a spice packet, and tie the packet to the handle of a wooden spoon. Place the spoon over the top of your pot and submerge the spices in a warming apple cider. Let your spices mull in the cider.

Remove the spice packet and let it dry out.

At the end of the day, you've got a Christmas-scented potpourri to give as a gift and a delicious pot of apple cider for yourself!