Gingerbread Simmer Pot Gifts Using the Gingerbread Man Bundle

Every year, I make gingerbread simmer pot gifts using whole spices and freshly dehydrated fruit, and they are always a hit. They smell amazing, feel thoughtful, and this year I gave them a glow-up using the Gingerbread Man Bundle and Homemade Treats because cute and useful is my favorite combo.

These gingerbread simmer pot gifts are doing the most in the best way. Inside the package is a layered recipe card and a cozy mix of simmer pot ingredients. On the outside is a gingerbread man embellishment that is way too cute to throw away, so I made sure it didn’t have to be. Once the bag is opened, the gingerbread men can be tied together into a festive banner.

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Three Cozy Simmer Pot Recipes Used in These Gingerbread Simmer Pot Gifts

These are my go-to blends. I make them every year because they work, they smell incredible, and no one has ever been mad about receiving one. I purchased my spices on Amazon and have linked them below. For the Apple & Orange Slices, I dehydrated my own, but you can buy them too.

Gingerbread Simmer Pot

Warm, spicy, and smells like someone has been baking all day, even if you absolutely have not.

Ingredients

• Dried crystallized ginger
• Cinnamon sticks
• Vanilla bean
• Star anise
• Whole cloves
• Nutmeg
• Cardamom pods
• Whole almonds

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Merry Christmas Simmer Pot

This one is bright, classic, and instantly makes your house smell like the holidays showed up early and stayed on purpose.

Ingredients

• Dried orange slices
• Dried apple slices
• Cinnamon sticks
• Whole cloves
• Dried or Fresh cranberries
• Star anise
• Rosemary sprig

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Candy Cane Lane Simmer Pot

Fresh, minty, and a little playful. This one feels like December wrapped in a candy cane.

Ingredients

• Candy canes or Starlight Mints
• Peppermint tea
• Vanilla bean
• Cinnamon sticks
• Dried coconut
• Star anise

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How to Use a Simmer Pot Without Burning Your House Down

Each gift includes simple instructions, but here is the short version.

Fill a small saucepan or pot ( or even a small slow cooker) with 2 to 3 cups of water and add the simmer pot ingredients. Simmer uncovered over low heat and keep an eye on it, adding water as needed so nothing burns. Keep it away from kids and pets, because cozy smells are not worth a trip to urgent care.

Once you are done simmering, take the pot off the heat and let it sit on the counter to keep fragrancing your space.

Important note. The Candy Cane Lane simmer pot is a one-and-done situation. Do not reheat it.

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How I Package Gingerbread Simmer Pot Gifts with Layered Details

This is where the magic happens and where order matters. Trust me on this.

Each gift is assembled in a 4 x 6 cello bag and layered so it looks finished from every angle, not like you tossed things in and hoped for the best.

The recipe card is cut to 3 3/4″ x 5 3/4″ and layered onto a coordinating piece of cardstock cut to 3 7/8″ x 5 7/8″, giving a finished size of 4″ x 6″. I stamp the recipe card before layering because details matter.

Behind the recipe card, I add half of a Christmas Greetings Mix & Match Card (retired) or a piece of Designer Series Paper. This background layer is positioned inside the cello bag, behind the recipe card.

Once the layers are in place, the cello bag gets filled with the simmer pot ingredients and sealed. The recipe card can be pulled out later and saved in a recipe binder or scrapbook, which makes this gift feel extra thoughtful without any extra effort.

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Creating the Gingerbread Man That Steals the Show

Each package is finished with a single gingerbread man made using the Gingerbread Man Bundle, and yes, he is doing a lot.

I stamp the gingerbread man onto Crumb Cake or Pecan Pie Cardstock and heat emboss the image with white embossing powder so it can withstand being handled and admired. The hands, feet, and hair are colored with the Bronze Stampin’ Blend Marker, which adds just enough detail without making him look overworked.

For embellishments, I add die cut elements and small accents. Some of those accents are made from the actual simmer pot ingredients, which is my favorite kind of full-circle crafting moment. A hot glue gun is your friend here. Liquid glue will not cut it.

No two gingerbread men turn out exactly the same, and honestly, that is part of the charm.

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How the Gingerbread Man Is Attached

The gingerbread man is attached to the outside of the cello bag, which means he can be removed and reused instead of tossed aside.

I punch small holes in his hands, thread ribbon through them, and wrap the ribbon around the filled and sealed cello bag. Tie it snugly on the front without pulling so tight that the cello bag cries for help.

Each gift includes one gingerbread man. When all three recipes are gifted together, the gingerbread men can be tied hand to hand to create a festive banner once they are freed from their packaging.

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Free Printable Simmer Pot Recipes

All three simmer pot recipes are available as a free printable, because I love a good share-the-love moment.

The printable is designed for 8 1/2″ x 11″ paper with two recipe cards per sheet. Each card trims down to 3 3/4″ x 5 3/4″, which works perfectly with the layered recipe card setup.

I printed mine on Crumb Cake cardstock and used the leftover space at the bottom of the page to cut two gingerbread men, because efficiency is my love language.

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A Handmade Gift That Feels Thoughtful and Reusable

These gingerbread simmer pot gifts are cozy, festive, and actually useful. They look cute on the outside, smell amazing on the inside, and leave you with a gingerbread banner once the simmer pot ingredients are gone.

They are perfect for neighbors, teachers, hostess gifts, or anyone who deserves a little holiday cheer without another mug. And the best part is that they are easy to customize so they still feel like you.

If you make your own version, I want to see it. Especially the gingerbread banner.

Happy crafting and happy simmering.

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