Herbal Holidays

 By Catherine Love of Still Room Herbs

The holiday season is in full force at my house. We go from Thanksgiving right into the Christmas season around here.  Herbs play a part in all of our holidays, just as they do in daily life. Spices such as cinnamon, cardamom, nutmeg, cloves, allspice, bay … all associated with Christmas whether in delicious baked goods, pomanders to scent and decorate the house, or fashioned into ornaments for the tree or gift giving, herbs are definitely front and center in our holidays and I hope will be in yours too.

I like to buy the potted rosemary ‘trees’ that are found at most garden centers and even grocery stores here at this time of the year. After the holidays they usually get planted in the garden or a larger pot and are allowed to grow in a more natural fashion; but for the holidays they make a pretty, fragrant tree that can be left unadorned or decorated for the season. If you plan ahead, you could always make one of these yourself, but I’ve yet to accomplish that feat! Another way I’ve used rosemary as holiday décor is placing small potted rosemary plant as place markers on the table, tying a name tag to each plant. Guests can then take theirs home with them when they leave, a nice gift that will last long after the holidays are gone.

Other herbs that are used often this time of year are vanilla beans and lavender. Both make delicious flavored sugar for baking and gifts for the bakers on your gift list. It is as simple as taking a vanilla bean or a lavender filled sachet and tucking it into a jar of sugar to infuse for a few weeks. For gift giving, tie a pretty ribbon around the jar, add a favorite recipe on a decorated recipe card and you are done! Both of these infused sugars can also be turned into a lovely sugar scrub for the bath or shower, which make great gifts, as well. Here’s a simple recipe for those:

Simple Sugar Scrub

1 cup sugar (white, brown, organic, vanilla, lavender … your choice!)

½ cup oil (almond, olive, jojoba, grapeseed … a combination of your choice)

5-10 drops of essential oil, optional- lavender, peppermint, again the choice is yours!

Mix all ingredients together and pack into small jars for gift giving.

What herbs do you use most during the holidays? 



Happy Herbal Holidays!
Catherine