Make Your Own Potpourri at Home

Many people believe that you’re able to enjoy the bouquets you receive as a present is for a limited time – while they’re alive on your dining room table. Even changing the water, placing your blooms in the refrigerator or using old wives’ tricks to prolong the life of the flowers can only keep them alive for so long. However, even after your flowers have begun to die, you can preserve them for a variety of projects. Try taking your fall flowers and turning them into potpourri to keep for yourself or give as a gift this holiday season!

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How to Dry Flowers for Potpourri
Making potpourri isn’t as simple as letting your flowers die and spraying them with perfume. There’s an art to making a perfect creation. If you’re making it out of flowers that you’re enjoying for their aesthetic value, wait for the flowers to droop slightly to snip them off of the stems. Don’t let them to get too droopy though. Bruised or damaged flowers may not be able to absorb enough essential oil. There are a few methods for drying these petals:

• On a tray: If you live in a warm climate, you can dry your flowers on a windowsill in the sun. Place them on a tray and cover them with a paper towel. Each day, flip the petals over. Do this until the petals feel slightly brittle, but not crumbly. It will likely take a couple of weeks.
• In the oven: If you want to expedite the process of drying your flowers, simply place them on a baking sheet and put them in the oven at 200 degrees for about 2 hours.
• Hang them: Hanging your flowers is a classic way to dry them. However, this process takes quite a bit longer. To do this, leave your blooms on the stems, and hang them upside down in a warm place. Once the flowers are dry, you can remove them from the stems.

Ingredients for Homemade Potpourri
While dried flowers are absolutely essential to your potpourri, they’re not the only option when it comes to making your creation beautiful. Try adding some savory herbs, if you don’t want your potpourri to smell to sweet or floral, and spices. If you decide to dry your flowers by baking the blooms in the oven, you can even dry some slices of citrus or cinnamon sticks along with it.

You’ll want to decide what kind of scent you’d like your potpourri to take on. This is how you determine which essential oils you use.  If you’d like something sweet, for an autumnal potpourri, try a warm vanilla essential oil and cinnamon or clove. If you want something for the holidays, a good option is mint. For all-year use, lavender is always a good choice. Rather than saturating your potpourri with oil, add the oil to a spray bottle filled with water, and mist the potpourri. Don’t add too much at first – it’s easier to add more scent later than to take the smell away.

Packaging for Potpourri
Packaging your potpourri is another opportunity to get creative! Many people enjoy having multiple sachets of potpourri that they can use at their leisure, in suitcases, drawers or other places that could benefit from a little bit of scent. You can purchase pretty sachet bags at your local craft store, or you can keep a bowl of potpourri out in the open. If you choose to make sachets, be sure to store ones that aren’t currently in use in an airtight container so they don’t lose their smell.

While we know that your flowers won’t last forever, we love sharing ways that you can get the most out of your bouquets. We think you should be able to enjoy them for as long as possible.

December Birth Flower: Narcissus

The narcissus is the December birth flower and symbolizes good wishes, faithfulness and respect. The narcissus can often be confused with the daffodil, the birth flower for March, which is a type of narcissus. Although most narcissus flowers are spring flowers, there are several species that bloom in the winter, such as the paperwhite narcissus — making it appropriate as the birth flower for December.

The December birthday flower has a rich history. As a native of the Mediterranean, the narcissus was brought over to Asia where it became widely cultivated in China. From there, the narcissus made its way into Europe via European colonists and eventually made its way into North America. Today, the narcissus is mainly cultivated in Great Britain, Holland, and The Channel Isles.

Narcissus Meanings and Symbolism

The narcissus flower’s name is derived from Greek mythology. Narcissus was a young hunter who was famed for his attractiveness. He was so attractive that he, himself, was obsessed by his good looks. One day, when looking at his own reflection in pond, he leaned in to take a closer look only to fall in and drown. Therefore, the narcissus is known for being a symbol of vanity in Western culture.

However, in other cultures and organizations around the world, the narcissus carries on different meanings:

• According to the Victorian “Language of Flowers” giving someone a narcissus means that they are “the only one.”
• In Kurdish culture, the narcissus is a symbol of the new year.
• Similarly, in Chinese culture, the narcissus symbolizes the Chinese New Year because it is one of the first flowers to bloom in the spring. It is also a symbol of wealth and good fortune for the coming year.
• As a symbol of hope, the narcissus has become an emblem for cancer societies around the world.

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December Birthstone

Turquoise and zircon are the birthstones of December.

Turquoise is a gemstone that is popular for its color. A symbol of good fortune and success, it is one of the earliest stones used in jewelry — even as early as 5500 BC. Upon excavation, mummified pharaohs have been found adorned with turquoise bracelets, and turquoise beads were found in ancient Mesopotamian ruins. The turquoise is also the national stone of Iran. In Native American culture, the turquoise is called “Chal-cui-hui-tal” which means “the highest and most valued thing in the world,” and is a large part of southwest American culture. Turquoise has a striking blue-green color that is derived from the combination of copper and iron that’s present within the stone.

Zircon is the secondary birthstone for the month of December. It is a mineral that is typically found as deposits in granite and metamorphic rock, and gemstone quality zircon are rare to come by. Zircon colors can range from red to brown and from orange to yellow. In the 1920s, a blue zircon gemstone was created by heating brown and yellow zircons. The most prized color of zircon is the red gemstone.

December Zodiac Horoscope

According to the zodiac horoscope, both the Sagittarius and Capricorn are born in December.

Sagittarians are characterized as optimistic and upbeat. They are always the first to see the positivity in all things and are known for their loyalty. They are also known for their cheerful personalities, as well as for their humor and wit and soliciting joy and laughter from people around them. Favorite hobbies include being outdoors, sightseeing and going on roadtrips. Sagittarians born in December are born between December 1st to December 22nd.

Capricorns are also characterized as highly pragmatic. They are known as being ambitious and will strive for perfection. Although they can sometimes be blunt when it comes to expressing their opinions, Capricorns have an easy temperament and are excellent at maintaining their composure. Similarly, they are great listeners and are dependable friends. Capricorns born in December are born between December 23rd to December 31st.

Famous Birthdays In December

• Louis Pasteur, French physician and the “Father of microbiology, December 27, 1822
• Georges Seurat, French post-Impressionist painter, December 2, 1859
• Woody Allen, Oscar-winning director, December 1, 1935
• Jane Fonda, American actress, December 21, 1937
• Gianni Versace, fashion designer, December 2, 1946

Do you have a December birthday, or know someone that does? From beautiful bouquets to gourmet birthday treats, check out our selection of truly thoughtful birthday gift ideas!