Christmas Potpourri Diffuser

I love using essential oils to fill my home with the smell of Christmas!

• the sweet peppermint scent of candy canes
• orange that reminds me of my favorite childhood scratch ‘n sniff Christmas book, The Sweet Smell of Christmas by Patricia Scarry
• spruce and fir that evoke feelings of finding that perfect Christmas tree

So many wonderful Christmas scents!!

So many ways to use essential oils at Christmas

Of course, I use a traditional ultrasonic diffuser to waft scents of peppermint, Christmas trees, and orange throughout my home (find 25+ Christmas diffuser recipes here).  But it’s not always convenient to use a traditional diffuser.  There isn’t always a plug nearby or I may not want to run a diffuser in every room all the time.

So I also use Christmas room sprays (recipes here), homemade Christmas reed diffuser (DIY instructions and recipes here), and other ways to diffuse essential oils throughout my home.

That’s why I love this new Christmas potpourri diffuser.  Not only is it very cute, it’s also a great option for diffusing essential oils in places where it’s not always convenient to use a plugin diffuser — bathrooms and other spots where there might not be an outlet nearby.

How to make an essential oil potpourri diffuser

Please know that this website contains affiliate links. This means that should you click on certain links, and then subsequently purchase a product, I will receive a small commission. The price is exactly the same for you as it would be without the affiliate link.  

step 1:  start with a mason jar that has air holes in its lid

tip:  While I used a large jar to make the diffuser below, you can make diffusers like this in any size.  They can be adorable in small jars.  Then  either tuck a small jar in with other decorations, or group several small diffusers together for a décor statement on their own.

tip: You can usually find mason jar lids like this at craft stores such as Michaels and Hobby Lobby.  Or you can find them online here or here.

tip:  Make sure that you get the right size lid for your jar.  I prefer wide mouth jars for this diffuser because the larger opening makes it much easier to arrange the potpourri in the jar.

step 2:  gather your potpourri and decorations that you want to use inside your jar diffuser

I used:

• pinecones
• evergreen sprigs
• berries
• ice crystal picks
• slice of wood
• small balls

tip:  Craft stores are a great place to get these types Christmas décor.

tip:  Be sure to choose at least a few items that you will absorb and diffuse the essential oils.  Wood slices and natural pinecones are both great for this.  Felt and wool are also good for absorbing and diffusing essential oils.

step 3:  Add essential oil to the pieces in your potpourri that will absorb essential oil (such as wood slices and pinecones)

tip:  The amount of essential oil you use will vary by the size of your jar.  For the large jar in these photos, I use about 20-25 drops essential oil.

tip:  You can add more essential oils to refresh the potpourri when the essential oil scent dissipates.  Depending on the strength of the oils, the size of the jar, and the size of the room that the diffuser is in, the scent can last from a day to a week or more.

tip:  see below for suggestions of essential oils and recipes for Christmas essential oil blends to use in your diffuser

Join our email list!

Get essential oil recipes, info, and ideas via our email newsletter.

Email Address

By subscribing you agree to our Privacy Policy.

step 4:  Layer the items into your jar diffuser

tip:  start by putting a few larger items on the bottom of the jar, then fill in with a few small items to fill in the space.

step 5:  layer more items into your diffuser

tip:  As you add items to the jar, take a look at it from the side of the jar to make sure that it will look great when it’s on a tabletop or counter.

tip: press your prettiest items up to the edge of the glass so that they are highlighted.

step 5:  Finish your diffuser by putting the lid on and tying a pretty ribbon around the neck of the jar

Christmas essential oils and recipes to use in your diffuser

single oils that smell like Christmas — pick any one of these and add 20-25 drops to your diffuser

• peppermint
• spruce
• sweet orange
• cinnamon (but only use 10 drops; cinnamon has a very strong scent)

recipes for essential oil blends that smell like Christmas

• 15 drops sweet orange + 3 drops cinnamon + 6 drops spruce
• 8 drops spruce + 8 drops sweet orange + 2 drops clove + 2 drops cinnamon
• 8 drops frankincense + 8 drops myrrh + 8 drops sweet orange
• 15 drops peppermint + 7 drops ylang ylang
• 14 drops eucalyptus + 8 drops juniper berry + 2 drops sage
• 6 drops cinnamon + 8 drops sweet orange + 10 drops fir
• 12 drops sweet orange + 12 drops peppermint
• 12 drops sweet orange + 7 drops cinnamon + 5 drops clove
• 12 drops fir + 12 drops cedarwood
• 12 drops fir + 6 drops grapefruit + 6 drops frankincense

How to use potpourri diffuser

• For best results, place diffuser in an small, enclosed space, such as a bathroom, bedroom, or enclosed kitchen.
• You can add more essential oils to refresh the potpourri when the essential oil scent dissipates.  Depending on the strength of the oils, the size of the jar, and the size of the room that the diffuser is in, the scent can last from a day to a week or more.

Where to get supplies?

This website contains affiliate links. This means that should you click on certain links, and then subsequently purchase a product, I will receive a small commission. The price is exactly the same for you as it would be without the affiliate link. 

wide-mouth quart mason jars (find here)

frog style open-air mason jar lid like I used (find here)

mason jar lid with snowflake cutout (find here)

wood slices (find here)

pinecones (find here)

other potpourri and décor items to use inside diffusers (find here)

Please join us…

we’re on Facebook here

we’re on Pinterest here

click here to sign up our email newsletter

Please note: Products mentioned in this article have not been evaluated by the FDA. These products and information on this page are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. This website is not a substitute for professional care.  Always consult your medical doctor regarding your medical care. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read on this website.

Disclaimer: Please know that this website contains affiliate links. This means that should you click on certain links, and then subsequently purchase a product, I will receive a small commission. The price is exactly the same for you as it would be without the affiliate link.