12 Nostalgic Scents To Make Your Home Smell Like Christmas

What's Christmas morning without the scent of bread pudding baking in the kitchen?

What Christmas smells inspire your favorite holiday tradition? Is it the Christmas smell of cinnamon star cookies, or possibly a favorite Christmas smell (and flavor) is the first bite of chocolate peppermint cheesecake? No matter your cherished seasonal tradition, certain Christmas smells play a big part in your memory-making process.

"As a floral designer, my sense of smell is heightened on a daily basis. With so many lovely scents like peonies, roses, lilies, chamomile, stock, lavender, daffodil, magnolia, and lilac, I create memories through scents every day," shares Megan Cooley, owner and creative designer of Meg's Flower Market in Ringgold, Georgia.

While little moments that remind us of our youth and upbringing during the day-to-day occurrences are special, the scents that spark Christmas memories are even more special. These Christmas scents are nostalgic. "I have had so many customers come in and ask if I had a specific flower in stock because their grandmother use to have them throughout the house, or in her yard," says Cooley. The quest to incorporate nostalgic seasonal scents, like peppermint or Balsam Fir, is a given as soon as the calendar flips to December. "During the holiday season, when I open a box of Christmas greens at the shop, I find myself reminiscing about my childhood," she adds.

Here are 12 nostalgic scents for the 12 days of Christmas—go ahead and incorporate these Christmas smells into your home with candles, baked goods, and holiday decor.

Meet The Expert

Megan Cooley is the owner and creative designer of Meg's Flower Market in Ringgold, Georgia.

Freshly Baked Cookies

Freshly baked cookies go with Christmas like biscuits and gravy. Whether you make your holiday cookies ready to eat or froze some for later, the scent of baking cookies means Christmas.

"In my case, it's the smell of my mother's sugar cookies," recalls Cooley. "When we smelled the sugar cookies baking, we were filled with excitement knowing that once they cooled off, we could decorate them together."

Peppermint

Peppermint is yet another classic nostalgic Christmas scent. You can incorporate peppermint into your home with essential oils and candies or a modern twist, a batch (or two) of peppermint cocktails.

Yule Log Fire

Long before Netflix fireplaces, there was the annual holiday tradition of lighting the Yule Log. During the 12 days of Christmas, a family would burn their Yule Log each day, moving the log deeper and deeper in the fire.

"That smell made me feel so many things at home," Cooley says. "We spent time laughing and sharing stories together with our family around that crackling fire. Whenever I smell a fire, I am quickly back at home with my family and feel the joy we shared together."

Pine, Fir, and Cedar

No doubt the fresh notes of Christmas trees looming in the family drawing room stirs up all the warm and fuzzy feelings of Christmas. "As I breathe in the smell of pine, fir, and cedar, I am transported to a time when my family would cut a fresh Christmas tree and bring it home to decorate," Cooley recalls. "My mother always put fresh-cut Christmas greens on the mantel and tables."

Gingerbread

Is there anything more fun than decorating gingerbread cookies? Another holiday scent synonymous with the Christmas season is true, gingerbread.

"My grandmother's best friend would make gingerbread people for us each year. She would put them in a tin and hand-deliver them to us a few days before Christmas. We would open the tin and the smell of gingerbread would beg us to eat one; we could almost taste it just from the smell," recalls Cooley.

Fresh Camellias

The Yuletide camellia is a Southern holiday flower that has vibrant red blossoms with glossy green foliage. This festive flower's looks and sweet scent conjure magical holiday memories. When arranging this beautiful Yuletide flower into your holiday bouquets, the scent and sight can transport you to watching your mother once doing the same.

Bread Pudding

In the South, bread pudding is a holiday dinner staple. The sweet caramel and bourbon scents baking in a deep dish pan evoke memories of Christmas morning. We can hear the oven timer right now.

Pumpkin Bread

From September right until the end of December, it's pumpkin spice and everything nice. Baking pumpkin bread is another nostalgic Christmas smell.

"My mom would bake pumpkin bread and butter braids for us to eat on Christmas morning, The pumpkin, cinnamon and nutmeg mixed with pine and firewood pull me into my memories of my family and home." Cooley concludes her spiced-warm scented memory, sharing, "These same scents are a part of my home now at Christmas time."

Hot Cocoa

The sweet scent of velvety chocolate and melting marshmallows is a mandatory part of many Christmas celebrations. Make the scent last all Christmas morning by putting a pot of hot chocolate on the stove or mixing up a batch of Slow-Cooker Hot Chocolate.

Oranges And Cloves

Pomander balls are another must-have aromatic tradition this time of year. Citrus fruits adorned with cloves were hung from tree branches or arranged in bowls as festive centerpieces, dating all the way back to colonial times. We'll tell you how to make, preserve, and use aromatic pomander balls to brighten your holiday.

Mulled Wine

The fruity, spicy smell of mulled wine brings back memories of many Christmas Eves and holiday parties. Red wine, brandy, oranges, and a long list of spices make up this classic recipe. The only requirement is to simmer low and slow, so the wonderful scent can fill your home.

Cranberries

From Thanksgiving through the end of the year, we often go on a kick with cranberry desserts and sauces. Set out a few cranberry-scented candles and warm up a batch of our Cranberry-Apple Cider. The tart, fruity, almost floral smell of berries blends with holiday classics like brandy, cinnamon sticks, and star anise.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the classic Christmas scent?

The smells of warm spices and fresh-baked goods always remind us of Christmas, but nothing is more classic than the scent of a Christmas tree. Fresh greenery and pine-scented candles will give your home a Christmasy feeling.

What are the best essential oils to use at Christmas?

Fill your home with the fragrance of the holidays with essential oils such as pine or peppermint. Create your own blends with two drops each of orange and cloves or ginger, cloves, and cinnamon.

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Read the original article on Southern Living.