December is here, and with it comes the festive sights and smells of Christmas. From cinnamon to mulled wine, the aromas of Christmas are warm and cosy. You don’t have to go to the shops to experience Christmas, though. There are easy ways to create that festive fragrance in your own home. Read on for our list of the best ways to make your home smell like Christmas.
1. Simmer Christmas on the Stove
A stovetop potpourri is a great way to make your home smell festive without a lot of extra effort. This stovetop recipe includes one apple, an orange peel, whole cloves, and two cinnamon sticks. Let the pot simmer and keep adding water to make sure that the liquid won’t burn off. You’ll be well on your way to getting into the Christmas spirit!
2. Make Pomander Balls
A common Christmas craft from the Victorian era, pomander balls are a great way to keep your home smelling like Christmas (and are easy to make, too). Simply choose a variety of citrus fruits (oranges, lemons, grapefruits), and cover them with cloves. They’re perfect when placed in a glass or wooden bowl as a centrepiece, and will look and smell great all season.
3. Make Scented Ornaments
Scented ornaments are one of the easiest ways to combine an activity for children with making your house smell wonderful. Simply add essential oils to your ornament dough (this is a great recipe), and you’re well on your way to a home that smells just like season.
4. Use a Scented Fire starter
There’s nothing better than curling up in front of the fire on a cold winter’s evening, especially if that fire is scented. A scented fire starter gives your home that Christmas feeling, without the effort that can come with boiling cinnamon on the stove. They’re easy to make too, just check out this recipe.
5. Make Mulled Wine
Mulled wine is one of the essential parts of British Christmas, but it isn’t just for wandering around the Christmas market. In addition to being a delicious holiday treat, mulled wine can make your home smell like the season. Whether you want to brew your own wine or simply use the mulled wine that comes in a bottle, it’s sure to have your home smelling festive.
6. Create a Festive Garland
You can make a sweet-smelling orange garland by slicing oranges and baking them (details here). Combine the oranges with dried sage leaves, and string the two together with a festive ribbon. It’s the perfect piece of sweet-smelling décor.
7. Make a Fresh Sage Wreath
Are you looking for an alternative to the traditional Christmas garland? A fresh sage wreath is a great option as it’s attractive and smells wonderful. All you need to make your wreath is a Styrofoam wreath form, fresh sage, and wide ribbon, and floral pins. Make sure to use plenty of sage as it tends to shrink when it dries. Once you’re happy with how much sage is on your wreath, hang it up and enjoy the smell! Once the leaves begin to dry, there’s no need to throw it away. Simply crush a dried leaf or two every time you need sage in a recipe.
8. Essential Oil Ornaments
Essential oil ornaments are a great way to decorate your home and keep it smelling nice, too. Fill clear ornaments with whole cloves and cinnamon sticks, and place them in the ornament with orange, cinnamon, and fir essential oils. Use a very precise knife to cut a few small holes in the ornament so the smell can escape through.
9. Peppermint Soap
If you’re feeling crafty, soap is the perfect sweet-smelling holiday activity. This recipe uses a melt and pour soap base, so it’s extremely easy. Simply melt the soap cubes/bars, stir in a few drops of peppermint oil, and pour the liquid into your soap mould. Add a few drops of red soap colouring, and mix the colour into the white soap carefully. Let the soaps harden and remove them from the moulds, and decorate with a Christmas-themed ribbon. They’ll make your house smell lovely, and they’re perfect for gifts, too!
10. Bake Christmas Cookies
There’s nothing like Christmas cookies to get you into the holiday spirit. Not only are they delicious, but the smell of baking gingerbread will fill your house with a festive fragrance. Choose your favourite gingerbread recipe and start baking! Don’t forget the decorating, though. A plateful of decorated Christmas cookies is an excellent gift for friends and neighbours.
Are you considering selling your Christmas-smelling home? Contact your local Fine & Country agent today.