‘Tis the season to have parties, eat lots of food, and exchange presents with loved ones, where much of what we experience usually gets stored away in our minds as pleasant memories. If we think back over our collected celebratory memories, we will find that many of them are often connected with smells and tastes we experienced through special meals and treats that are particular to this time of year.
As our sense of smell is directly linked with the way we feel and our memories, such as to our childhood holidays, it’s no wonder that we want to recreate those same feelings through similar aromas time and again.
When we imagine the smells of the holiday season, specific aromas of orange, cinnamon, and baked goods, to name a few, may pop into your head. You may even have a favorite; perhaps it’s pine from all those years of decorating a real tree or perhaps it’s nutmeg from drinking eggnog by a fire. Whatever smells you associate with this time of year, there is no reason you cannot bring these smells into your current apartment over the holidays.
Not only does making your apartment smell delicious create a more inviting environment for you and for your company, but it helps you to create even more memories that you can continue to look back on in fondness for years to come. Here are some great tips to give you that perfect aroma combination for your home this holiday season.
Instant Christmas
This time of year, many companies come out with a variety of cleaning products and air fresheners that relate directly to creating that faux Christmas atmosphere in your home. Whether they come in the form of a spray, a plug-in accessory, or even as a cleaning product, there are many selections to choose from.
The great thing about a lot of these products is that you can put them out and forget about them; a plug-in, for example, allows you to simply plug it into an outlet and leave even while you are out of your apartment. A spray can be used multiple times and the smell is practically instant, while a cleaning product not only gives you fresh and sanitized results around your apartment, but the smell lingers throughout.
Aromas That Create an Atmosphere
I can’t tell you how many times I have walked through a grocery store at this time of year to stumble upon the smell of cinnamon-scented pinecones and picked up a bag; the smell lingers and is as Christmassy as it comes. Not only do pinecones look great, they give that natural look to your place and can be used anywhere you like.
Candles
Who doesn’t sniff all the different candles in a store practically wanting to eat them because they smell so good? Candles are great to place all around your apartment, and within a short amount of time your space will be smelling like a gingerbread house.
If you prefer an earthier smell, there are varieties that will give off an aroma of evergreen and juniper, to make you feel like you live next door to a Christmas-tree farm. Just keep in mind not to mix too many candle smells together, otherwise, the combination won’t be as pleasant.
Potpourri
Potpourri is an assortment of dried flowers, petals, leaves, and sometimes spices that also come in a variety of textures and sizes. They not only give off a pleasant aroma, but they can also be used to add decoration to a room. Simply place the dried assortment of plant materials in a bowl or a vase and the aroma will fill the room.
Keep in mind, however, if you choose to use them dry, they are better suited for smaller spaces as the smell will dissipate over time. To aid your potpourri in expressing its best smell you can purchase a potpourri pot. Once you have a pot, simply place a lighted tealight candle on the bottom, mix some potpourri and water together in the pot and place the pot over the candle.
If you don’t have a specialized pot you can do the same on your stovetop, using the element like a candle, with low heat. Be sure to pay attention to the level of the liquid in the potpourri because if it dries out it may burn and become a fire hazard.
Incense and Oils
Incense is another smell that we often think of when associating a pleasant and memorable fragrance during the holiday season. You can purchase incense in a cone or stick-form and as it takes time to burn down, the pleasant smell will linger.
Essential oils can be added to special burners, much like the potpourri pot, or add a few drops of your favorite smell to an unscented candle and create your own magic aroma. As essential oils are heavily concentrated, be sure to only add a few drops to not overpower smaller rooms.
Homemade Holiday Aromas
These are tricks of the trade that have been discovered over time that will help make your home smell delicious in the most natural way possible. This first one requires a little DIY but isn’t hard to figure out, you’ll almost feel like you’re getting ready to bake.
You will need the following to bring it all together; a peel of an orange, an apple cut into pieces, 2-3 cinnamon sticks, 1 tablespoon of whole cloves, 1 tablespoon of vanilla extract, and 1 tablespoon of almond extract. Place all of the ingredients into a pot along with 1 1/2 cups of water. Turn your stove burner onto a low setting, do not cover, and let the smell fill up all areas of your home.
Feel free to play around with different combinations; try adding actual pine tree clippings or rosemary to produce that pine-fresh smell, or maybe try some ginger slices, cranberries, thyme leaves, or even a drop or two of essential oil. Make sure you continue to add water as it lowers throughout the time it is on the stove so that it doesn’t burn.
Another way to make your home smell like baked goods, even if you don’t actually bake, is to use up scraps of apple peels or orange peels and coat them in cinnamon and a little bit of oil. Then turn your oven on to its lowest setting and put the scraps on a cookie sheet lined with parchment paper. You will want to leave it in your oven for about 20 minutes; this will have your apartment smelling like heaven in no time.
Some families traditionally push whole cloves into oranges and place them around the house, while others cut orange slices and hang them up. You can also make a natural garland by placing the orange slices with some bay leaves and some cinnamon sticks, tie them all up together and hang them around a tree, a door frame or anywhere you think they will look good.
Making your apartment smell good during the holidays isn’t hard; the options are plentiful and fun to play around with. Whether you don’t have a lot of time or prefer minimal effort and choose to use a spray or a plug-in, or maybe you want to be more involved and want to try your own creation, you’ll have a festive time figuring out what works best for you.
Contenu associé
