Getting into the Christmas spirit is not just about gifts and decorating your house perfectly. We gather memories with our noses better than we do with our mind, so calm everyone down by surrounding yourself in the comforting aroma of some Christmas scents. So, skip those air fresheners and pot pourri, because we’ve got a few ways for you to literally spice up your Christmas at home!
1. Spice-scented Candles
There’s no denying how lovely it is to have candles lit in one’s home, especially during the holidays. Give your living space or garden a little Christmas zest by lighting up some scented candles. The key scents to look for are slightly spiced candles like hints like cinnamon, clove and vanilla. Opt for candles made of natural oils, or make you own by heating up a pot of candle wax with some spices. You can also make them with a few bags of Chai tea bags.
2. Stove-top Potpourri
Potpourri using natural ingredients is a lot easier on the nose than buying the ones from the store. In a sauce pan, fill it up with apple cider and add in some slices of orange, then simmer with cloves, vanilla essence and cinnamon. Let it simmer on low heat on the stove, or pour some on scented oil burners, adding more every time it evaporates.
3. Orange-Clove Ball
Orange spice is a truly festive aroma for Christmas. All you need is a few oranges and a sack of whole cloves. Just hold the orange firmly in your hand, and press the pointy tip of the clove, and press in more about an inch apart, covering the entire orange. The orange should look like a studded ball. Hang it anywhere near some heat and smell the spicy citrus scent overpower your home with warmth.
4. Pure Essential Oils
Essential oils are easy to find, since it’s available in a lot of home improvement stores. But if you really want to create your own scent, try making your own essential oil by heating up some coconut or olive oil in a sauce pan and simmer it along with your favorite spices like cinnamon, clove, star anise, or even chai tea mix, along with vanilla and several drops of lemon juice. Simmer it for about 30 minutes, let it cool, then transfer them into a opaque amber bottles to let it set for a few hours. With a dripper, add a few drops to your flowers, or even pour some into your diffuser.
