This article was created for eBay via Fractl in fall 2014.
The sense of smell is like a magical time machine, science says, tying scents to emotions and memories that go all the way back to early childhood. Go ahead and tap into that magic by indulging in scents that you like to associate with the holidays. Whether you’re a traditionalist or in search of some modern shortcuts, there are plenty of ways to help bring Christmas into your home.
Fresh Pine
For one of the most traditional scents of Christmas, you can’t beat a real evergreen Christmas tree, wreath, garland, swag, or bough. The sap and oils from these trimmings invoke a fresh and vivid seasonal experience.
If tree cuttings aren’t your thing, however, a great alternative is pine essential oil, which also provides the real-deal scent.
If tree cuttings aren’t your thing, however, a great alternative is pine essential oil, which also provides the real-deal scent.
Scented Pine Cones
Scented pine cones are another longtime, natural favorite. These holiday decor items are typically scented with cinnamon. You can find them ready-made or make them yourself. Just collect or purchase natural pinecones. Then you can try the preparation technique of first placing them on a foil-covered cookie sheet and baking them at 200 degrees for one hour. This will ensure that they are fully open and rid of any little bugs or bacteria.Once your pine cones are cool, place them in a large, resealable bag and spray them with a mixture of cinnamon essential oil and a little water. Seal and shake the bag. Spray and shake the pine cones a few more times. You can choose to put them out immediately, or for the strongest and longest-lasting result, keep them sealed in the bag for about a month to make sure they get fully infused with the scent.Alternatively, you can try wax-dipped pine cones, which come in a variety of colors and scents. They can be used for decoration or as fire starters in fireplaces to produce a burst of fragrance.
Dried Potpourri
Made from dried plant materials, potpourri provides an effortless effect. Special Christmas blends can include scents such as cinnamon, pine, cloves, and orange peels. You can keep it out in a basket during the holidays or insert some into pomander Christmas ornaments, which have little holes to let the scent of the potpourri through.After the holidays, pack the potpourri with your decorations and winter clothing so they’ll invoke the season when you open them up again next year.Some potpourris are all-natural, while others use synthetic fragrances and colors; if you have any preference, make sure to check the ingredients.
Simmering Potpourri
Make your house feel instantly warm and inviting by simmering natural blends of potpourri in water. The simmering releases the scents of the potpourri more quickly and strongly, enveloping you in a heady holiday experience.You can use a regular pot on the stove, though many enjoy using a specially designed, electric simmering pot. These pots are usually made of decorative porcelain, sometimes with a holiday theme, and have holes in the lid to help diffuse the aroma.
Fresh Herbs
Cinnamon sticks can be set out for an aromatic display. In addition, fresh sprigs of mint, rosemary, and sage can be set out in vases with water. Whenever you want to release some extra scent, give the herbs a little rub.
Orange and Clove Pomanders
Another Christmas tradition is to poke cloves into an orange (in as simple or as decorative a manner as you like) and then roll the orange in ground spices such as ginger, nutmeg, and cardamom. Hang the oranges in a cool, dark place for about a week using ribbon or string. Finally, display them when they are dried and even more fragrant.
Scented Candles
A staple in many households, Christmas-scented candles can provide a myriad of aromas. In addition to evergreens and spices, they can feature scents such as berries, eggnog, cookies, pies, vanilla, candy canes, hot chocolate, and even wood-burning fireplaces.You also can find battery-powered candles that give off slight scents such as vanilla or cinnamon. The scent is usually either mixed in with the wax or contained in a fragrance compartment.
Wax Tarts
Wax tarts are essentially candles without a wick. You melt the wax in a tart warmer or multi-purpose potpourri pot. These can be a safer option than candles if you properly use a certified tart-warming appliance.
Scented Oils
Similar to candles and wax tarts, oils will release scents when placed in oil warmers and diffusers.Essential oils are a great option for those who like to keep it all-natural. Thankfully, there is a variety of ways you can use essential oils to scent your home. The best method is to use these oils in an aromatherapy diffuser. However, many people like to add a few drops to a steaming pot of water or to the water they use in a humidifier or oil warmer. Other options include making a homemade spray or stashing scent-infused cotton balls inside your Christmas decorations.Essential oils are perfect for Christmas. Go beyond pine needle and include peppermint, cinnamon, frankincense, and ginger.
Incense
Incense lovers can select holiday-related scents from pine to sage. Incense is, of course, a Christmas tradition in many homes because of the story of the Three Wise Men and their gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh. To enhance the holiday atmosphere, many use a German incense smoker. These are shaped like human figures from Christmas or everyday life, and they are designed so that a cone of incense is contained inside and the smoke comes out of the figure’s mouth. It’s a tradition that was popularized in the 1800s, along with the iconic nutcracker figures.
Air Fresheners
There ’s a variety of sprays and plug-in air fresheners available that incorporate traditional holiday fragrances. These can include anything from tree and fruit scents to cookies, hot chocolate, chestnuts, and more. While you’re at it, take the scent of Christmas to your car with traditional tree-shaped air fresheners? You can also find holiday-themed car vent sticks, jars, or gels—the last of which are decorative, hangable containers of scented gel.
Scented Christmas Tree Icicles
These Christmas-tree-scented icicles are typically used to add scent to artificial trees or to refresh the scent of live trees. They can be found in fragrances such as cinnamon, fir, balsam, cedar, and cookies. Each stick should provide fragrance for up to two weeks, so you can decide whether to dole them out all season or use many at once for a bigger impact.
Foods
You have to eat, right? So while you’re at it, prepare and consume foods that tie in with the season, and your senses will celebrate on multiple levels.Holiday beverages with a great scent include hot chocolate, hot apple cider, and teas in holiday blends with ingredients such as orange, cinnamon, vanilla, and cloves. For the strongest scent of all, you can pick up mulling spices for making mulled cider.Your home will smell amazing if you prepare classic treats such as roasted chestnuts, honey glazed ham, pies, or cookies. Get some recipes, mixes, and cookie cutters ready now to prepare sugar cookies for decorating, gingerbread for a gingerbread house, and, of course, chocolate chip cookies for Santa.