Potpourri Gifts: A Special Gifting Concept

by Tania Penwell

Potpourri gifts are a novel and pretty unique concept. Nowadays these have become very popular. The gifts convey a meaning and create an impression on many an occasion like Christmas, birthdays, weddings and anniversaries. Potpourri gifts come accompanied with refresher oil, candles, sugared fruits and scented flowers. As per preference of the purchaser, the potpourri can be especially gift boxed and gift bagged. These make wonderful gifts and can easily become the centre of all attraction.

Constituents of potpourri gifts

The term potpourri can mean any of a collection of miscellaneous and diverse items. Dried flowers, natural fragrant plant material, bits of colored wood, leaves, seeds etc. all can feature as potpourri gifts- these can be used to produce a gentle natural scent. The basic purpose of potpourri is to produce a fresh smell in rooms and cupboards. Potpourri items are charming and lovely. They can generate a soothing and pleasing effect in the home. Their simplicity and grace ensure that they never cease to be in vogue.

Traditional potpourri and modern potpourri

Though modern potpourri items have been coming up of late yet the traditional potpourri prepared using natural dried flowers and natural fragrance maintains its special place in the hearts of all. In case of traditional potpourri there are dried flowers as natural components while the containers come with closely fitted lids. The natural fragrances used are permitted to slowly emanate and diffuse in the room. The natural scents used can be of cypress, cedar, incense-cedar, juniper, lavender, rose and cinnamon bark.

Modern potpourri makes use of any decoratively shaped dried plant material but these may not be naturally scented. A strong synthetic perfume or spray may be added as alternative to natural fragrances. Fixatives like orris root are used in modern potpourris to bring about absorption of the scent. Both traditional as well as modern potpourris make great gifts.

Potpourri gifts as home décor items

Potpourri gifts can make great home décor items too. This is especially when brightly colored potpourri flowers are used. Such potpourris are used more for beautification purpose rather than for giving out scent.

Usage of essential oils in potpourri items and potpourri crystals

Essential oils of plants are selected as per aromatherapy principles to be used in potpourri. These create different moods and enliven the atmosphere of the room. A little amount of essential oil suffices for an entire room.

There are also the special crystal potpourri objects that are available for gifting. These are natural crystals that are scented with a fragrance of choice. These make the room fragrant while also acting as an item of home décor. As the fragrance begins to fade over time fresh oil can be added to the crystal. It is the semi porous stones that are best suited for holding on to fragrance added.