The distinctive smells of cinnamon, cloves, pine needles and oranges are distilled into a wide range of Christmas room fragrances and scented candles. Here’s how to introduce these delightful scents into your home more naturally and authentically this year.
Foliage and greenery
Pine boughs, holly branches and eucalyptus make lovely Christmas decorations on their own or woven into wreaths, and each has a gently aromatic perfume. Drying your greenery for a couple of weeks in a dark, dry space ensures your displays will last longer, and it actually helps to preserve the fragrances too. Alternatively, use your fresh cuttings immediately as part of a festive flower arrangement, but wait until the day before you want your display to look its best before choosing and cutting your foliage.
Pomanders, chestnuts and mulled wine
Traditionally a natural way to temper cooking smells, pomanders are oranges studded with cloves and then rolled in a mixture of cinnamon, nutmeg and sandalwood oil to let them cure. Make these a few days before Christmas and then display in a decorative bowl. The subtle scent is released slowly but can be intensified by warmth – placing your pomander near an open fire helps to release the natural oils.
To make your kitchen smell heavenly just before your Christmas guests arrive, set a pan of mulled wine to warm gently over a low flame, pop some chestnuts to roast in the oven and slice lemons and oranges ready to serve with your deliciously spiced welcome drinks.
Try these simple tricks for a fragrant and sweet-smelling festive season.
