The Christmas Home Fragrance Guide

Perhaps the most classical of festive fragrances, our love affair with spiced scents begins as soon as the weather starts to turn in September marked by the buzz surrounding Starbuck’s annual release of their Pumpkin Spiced Latte at the start of the month. Traditionally cinnamon and clove have ruled the roost for favourite festive scents however as the industry has grown the fragrances have evolved for more discerning tastes. Cinnamon and clove are still key notes, however more spices such as ginger, cardamom and the ancient Christmas elements of frankincense and myrrh are now seen more frequently for an even more sumptuous take on festive spices. These notes are also frequently paired with woods or musk to create a rich, refined fragrance full of winter warmth.

Woody notes of pine or spruce have long been firm Christmas home fragrance favourites thanks to their link to the smell of fresh Christmas trees. Woody fragrances can be either crisp and light or hearty and rich depending on the wood the notes hail from. Pine, spruce and fir tend to offer that classic Christmas tree scent with its crisp undertones, however log fire inspired scents which are gaining in popularity tend to have rich base notes of cedar, sandalwood and rosewood. Woody notes are excellent as standalone scents or are often used in many other Christmas fragrances as warm bases to ground the other notes. They can be perfectly paired with fruit, spicy or sweet notes to add a sumptuous, sophisticated air to any fragrance.

Fruit and Christmas go hand in hand, from the orange or clementine we get in our stockings on Christmas morning, to the candied fruits in our Christmas puddings and mince pies. The key fruit often found in festive home fragrances is orange as it has long been a symbol of the season and gives any scent a seductive tang. Often found alongside festive spices, fruity fragrances add a fresh, juicy hint to traditional seasonal scents which can be overbearing for many. Other fruits are also popular for Christmas candles and diffusers such as berries and other citrus fruits like lemons and mandarins all offering a tartness which is again refreshing rather than overly sweet. A perfect choice for those that love invigorating scents year round but still want a festive touch for their home fragrance as winter sets in.

In response to need for fresh festive scents for those that dislike the classic spicy, woody aromas, there has been an influx of fragrances best described as frosty which are perfect for those looking to add sparkling scents to their home at Christmas time. Reminiscent of freshly fallen snow that glitters in pale winter sunlight, these frost-filled fresh fragrances are often infused with notes of Scandinavian wood, fresh citrus and cool mint. Also becoming increasingly popular are notes of white wine and prosecco which certainly add a sparkling edge to these types of Christmas scents making them ideal for festive parties and gatherings. Delicate florals can also be utilised in these scents to achieve the desired frosty effect and are perfect for floral fragrance lovers to transition into the winter months.

For every person that loathes sugary sweet home fragrances, there is another who simply can’t get enough of them. To cater to those of us with a sweet tooth, there are numerous sweet fragrances to fill the home with scents reminiscent of our favourite puddings and pastries. From classic vanilla notes to warm caramel, these scents are delightfully buttery at the base and many notes are combined with spices to form fragrant representations of favourite sweet treats such as toasted brioche, cinnamon buns and macarons. Fabulous for certain areas in the home such as kitchens or dining rooms as the dessert course is served, they will infuse the home with sumptuous sweetness this Christmas.