Chocolate, orange, and cinnamon is the winning combination that will always get you thinking of Christmas no matter what. That’s because smell has the unmatched power of triggering memories in our mind and take us back to places we’ve been before with a single wiff.
So this year, when you’re decorating for Christmas, why not add a little waft in the air as well that will make you happy whenever you enter a room? Here’s how to make the house smell like the holidays.
1. Potpourri on the stove
There’s nothing easier than throwing a handful of sweet smelling ingredients in a pan and letting it simmer on your back burner until your entire house smells like Santa’s workshop.
All you need are a few orange slices, peel and all, two vanilla pods, some cinnamon sticks, fresh cranberries, cloves, ginger, and a small branch of fresh pine. The best part is that you probably already have all of these in your cupboard, so this holiday potpourri is budget-friendly as well!
2. DIY aromatic candles
DIY enthusiasts will absolutely love these! But even if you haven’t tried your hand at DIY before, you’ll still love how simple they are to make and how gorgeous they smell.
Start with beeswax, of course, or soy wax if you’re vegan. Line a cupcake tray with cupcake papers and pour in the wax. While it is still liquid, lace it with herbs and spices that will make your house smell like wonderland.
If you happen to grow your own edible garden, even better. Use bay leaves, sweet rosemary, pine cones, and lavender. Don’t forget about orange peel and vanilla. They are the basis of the real Christmas smell!
Allow the wax to cool off completely. Remove the cupcake papers gently.
3. Oil candles in mason jars
The moment mason jars entered our lives, everything changed. We now use them for absolutely everything, including these amazing DIY Christmas oil-based candles. They are super easy to make, very cheap, and will have your house smelling like a forest in winter in no time.
Start by drilling a hole in the lid so you can run the wick through it. Fill your mason jar with water, sugar, spice, and everything nice. We’re kidding about the sugar, but do use spices such as cinnamon sticks, clover, branches of pine, anise, berries, and pinecones.
Top everything off with oil. You can use any type of oil you have handy and that will burn. Canola and olive oil will work best, but you can also use citronella oil and, of course, lamp oil. The latter is the original solution but that might be a bit more difficult to find.
Run your wick through the lid, light it up, and enjoy the smell of a spicy forest in your living room!
The moment your house smells like the holidays, you will also be inspired to start decorating, to cook comfort foods, and spend more and more time with your family. And crank up the Christmas carols, of course! That’s the magic of scent and how it can turn your house into a cozy retreat.
