Frugal Fall Fun

When Fall comes around each year, it brings the yummy smells of orange, cinnamon, pumpkin, and cloves. I like to have my home smell nice during the season. I also love candles, but the cost can really add up.  If you don’t have enough money to go out and purchase one of those expensive designer candles, I have some great ideas for you!

Mulling Sachets

This year I am ordering a Mulling Blend that comes with Cinnamon Chips, Orange Peel, Allspice, Cloves from San Francisco Herb Company. It is only $5.20 per lb! You can make this blend on your own, but this is a great price and it is already done for you. All you have to do is get out some old panty hose, cut them off at the ankle, fill with a cup of the mulling blend, and tie a knot in the top. You can simmer the spices in a tea kettle and your home will smell so delicious! Your mulling sachet should last up to 2 weeks.

Another idea is drying some fruit and stringing it up. This smells wonderful and looks very festive too! Here is what you will need:

Dried Fruit Strands

• Orange slices
• Lemon slices
• Lime slices
• Pomegranate slices
• Bay leaves
• Twine

Cook fruit on oven at 250 degrees for about 5 hrs. Keep a close watch. Each fruit will have different moisture levels and therefore, different baking times. Pomegranates will need the smallest amount of bake time.

When you are ready to string them up, use this pattern:

Orange slice, two lime slices, pomegranate slice, two lemon slices, three bay leaves, repeat.

If you want to use these as a decoration or at Christmas time, you could also make some gingerbread men and string them into the pattern with red and green raffia. I use a gingerbread cake mix from the store. There are usually directions on the box for making cookies. Just don’t forget to use a straw to poke a hole at the top before you bake them. You could even add cranberries. Get creative. You can use just about anything!

You can always stretch out the life of your sachet or dried fruit strand by adding a few drops of cinnamon or orange oil once week.

Both of these ideas would make wonderful Christmas gifts. Have your kids help you put together some sachets for their school teachers! Print out a cute card with directions and attach with a pretty ribbon.