12 Ideas To Make Your Home Smell Like Christmas

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Christmas scents instantly make your home feel warm and festive. From simmer pots to candles, dried oranges, and fresh greens, discover easy and delightful ideas to make your home smell like Christmas.

The smells of Christmas are pure magic. They evoke warmth, joy, and memories of holidays past. Whether it’s the sweet aroma of cookies baking, the earthy fragrance of fresh evergreens, or the comforting spice of cinnamon and cloves. Adding Christmas scents to your home is an easy way to add that essential layer of the holidays and fill every corner of your home with a cozy, once-a-year feeling!

No matter your favorite holiday scent, you’ll find plenty of inspiration to make your home feel warm, welcoming, and wonderfully festive this season.

Make A Christmas Simmer Pot

For decades, simmering a simple pot of kitchen ingredients has been the unmistakable scent of Christmas in our home. A blend of cinnamon sticks, orange slices, fresh cranberries, star anise, whole cloves, and a sprig or two of evergreens or rosemary creates a warm, festive aroma that fills every corner. It’s more than just a fragrance. It’s the essence of Christmas memories.

Whenever our son stops by, he always says, “It smells like Christmas in here!” That’s the magic of a Christmas simmer pot. A simple tradition that transforms your home into a holiday haven.

A Christmas Simmer Pot in a jar makes a wonderful hostess or small gift for friends. You can see how to make it at the end of THIS post.

Ingredients For A Christmas Simmer Pot

Here’s a list of ingredients to create your own simmer pot:

• Cinnamon sticks: Warm and spicy, the foundation of Christmas scents.
• Orange slices: Sweet and citrusy for a fresh, bright note.
• Lemon slices (optional): For an added touch of tartness.
• Fresh or dried cranberries: A festive pop of color and subtle fruity aroma.
• Star anise: A licorice-like scent that feels sophisticated and festive.
• Whole cloves: Small but mighty, they add depth and spice.
• Evergreen sprigs: Pine, fir, or cedar for a woodsy holiday scent.
• Rosemary sprigs: Herbal and fresh with a hint of pine.
• Vanilla extract: A splash for a soft, sweet undertone.
• Nutmeg (whole or ground): Adds a cozy, nutty warmth.
• Apple slices: Optional for a fruity, cider-like aroma.

Make your own Christmas Simmer Pot to fill your home with a natural and glorious scent.

Add Fresh Greens

Now is the perfect time to bring the fresh scent of Christmas into your home with small arrangements of aromatic greens. Choose the most fragrant options, like pine, cedar, or fir, and place them in the spaces where you spend the most time. These lush arrangements will not only stay fresh but will also fill your home with their delightful, natural aroma, creating a cozy and festive Christmas atmosphere.

Most Aromatic Greens

• Pine: Long, feathery needles with a light, woodsy fragrance.
• Cedar: Dense and lush with a strong, earthy aroma.
• Fir: Classic Christmas scent, bold and invigorating.
• Spruce: Crisp and sharp, ideal for a refreshing scent.
• Eucalyptus: Subtle yet clean with a hint of minty sweetness.
• Juniper: Distinctive, slightly fruity, and fresh.

Simple Ways Use Live Greens In Arrangements

• Small Arrangements: Place bunches in vases or jars and display them in high-traffic areas like your kitchen counter, coffee table, or entryway.
• Dining Table Centerpiece: Combine greens with candles or ornaments for a festive centerpiece.
• Bathroom Touch: Place a small vase of eucalyptus or cedar on the counter for a spa-like holiday vibe.
• Kitchen Accents: Use sprigs of rosemary or juniper in small jars on the windowsill for both fragrance and easy access for cooking.
• Bedroom Refresh: Add a small vase of greens on your nightstand to fill your bedroom with a subtle holiday scent.
• Gift Toppers: Tie small sprigs of greens onto wrapped presents for an aromatic and beautiful finishing touch.

Clove Studded Orange Pomanders

The first time I encountered the timeless charm of a clove-studded orange, I was a teenager. I had read an article on how to make them, and I’ve been captivated by these delightful and fragrant little creations ever since.

Orange and clove pomanders are steeped in tradition, with their warm, spicy, and citrusy scent evoking the heart of Christmas for hundreds of years. Beyond their aroma, they are beautiful organic decorations that can last for weeks when properly dried. Whether you display them in bowls, hang them as ornaments, or use them as natural air fresheners, they’re a perfect blend of history and holiday cheer.

How To Make a Clove-Studded Orange

Creating a pomander is simple and fun! Here’s a step-by-step guide:

1. Choose Fresh, Firm Oranges
   • Select oranges that are fresh, firm, and free of blemishes. Smaller oranges like mandarins or clementines also work well.
2. Plan Your Design
   • You can stud the entire orange with cloves for an all-over texture or create patterns like swirls, stripes, or even snowflakes.
3. Mark Your Pattern (Optional)
   • Use a toothpick or skewer to lightly poke holes where you plan to place the cloves. This step makes it easier to insert them and keeps your design uniform.
4. Insert Whole Cloves
   • Push whole cloves into the orange’s skin, pointy side first. Leave about a quarter-inch of clove exposed to create texture.
5. Roll in Spice Mixture (Optional)
   • To preserve the pomander and enhance its scent, roll it in a mixture of ground cinnamon, nutmeg, and a pinch of ground cloves.

I don’t roll my pomanders in spices, I make a bowl full and enjoy their bright orange studded skins.

Light Scented Candles

Lighting a Christmas-scented candle is one of the easiest ways to fill your home with the essence of the holidays. The flickering glow creates a warm atmosphere, while the fragrance fills the air! What scents bring Christmas to mind for you? Is it the familiar aroma of sugar cookie dough or the warm, spicy notes of cinnamon and cloves?

I love them all! But ever since we started using a faux evergreen tree, my absolute favorite candle has been Thymes Frasier Fir. It truly smells like we just brought a freshly cut Christmas tree into our home, and the fragrance lasts and lasts. I burn the 6.5 oz candle. There’s something magical about how the right candle can transform a space, making it feel instantly cozy and inviting.

Popular Christmas Candle Scents

Here’s a list of some of the most beloved Christmas candles and their signature scents:

• Thymes Frasier Fir: A blend of Siberian fir needles, cedarwood, and sandalwood for the ultimate Christmas tree fragrance.
• Bath & Body Works Holiday: Fragrence notes: red cinnamon stick, Christmas clove, and ground cinnamon.
• Nest Holiday Candle: Classic holiday scents of pomegranate, pine, cloves, and cinnamon with a hint of amber and vanilla.
• Williamsburg Bayberry Candles: The iconic scent of bayberry, piney, woodsy and fresh.
• Balsam & Cedar: A fresh, foresty blend of balsam, cedar, and juniper with a hint of eucalyptus.
• The Nutcracker: Notes of cinnamon, clove, pecan, sandalwood, and winter mint, and grounded by base notes of ginger, vanilla, and musk.
• Paddywax Cypress & Fir: A natural, forest-inspired fragrance with notes of fresh pine, cypress, and juniper.
• Jo Malone Orange Bitters: Warm and citrusy with a mix of sweet orange, sandalwood, and a hint of dried fruits.
• WoodWick Fireside: A smoky blend of amber, vetiver, and musk with a crackling wick that mimics a real fire.

Use Holiday Soaps

One of life’s simplest luxuries is swapping out your everyday hand soaps for ones infused with holiday scents. It’s a little luxury, but it delivers an instant mood boost! Christmas-inspired peppermint, pine, or spiced vanilla fragrances can make something as routine as washing your hands feel special and seasonal.

Holiday hand soaps are easy to carry the Christmas spirit into unexpected places, like your kitchen and bathrooms. Not only do they smell amazing, but they also add a decorative element with their beautifully designed bottles. Choose soaps with moisturizing ingredients like shea butter or aloe to keep your hands soft during the dry winter months.

Diffuse Christmas Scents

One of my favorite ways to fill a room with beautiful scents throughout the year is by using essential oils in a diffuser. I keep an arsenal of my favorite oils on hand and switch them out seasonally to match the mood and feel of the time of year.

At Christmastime, I love diffusing blends that capture the holiday spirit, like Frasier Fir, Thieves, and orange, or a custom cinnamon, cloves, orange, and eucalyptus mix. In our home, I set the diffuser in our master bathroom and let it run from early evening until the next morning. The festive scents spill into our bedroom by leaving the bathroom door open, surrounding us with beautiful aromas. Falling asleep and waking up to the scent of Christmas is pure magic!

You’ll often find my diffuser bubbling away on the kitchen counter when I’m not lighting a holiday-scented candle or simmering a Christmas potpourri on the stove. It’s a simple way to fill our home with memory-making fragrances that everyone loves.

With so many essential oil combinations to choose from, you can mix and match to find your signature holiday scent!

Add A Bowl Of Christmas Potpourri To A Room

Adding a bowl of potpourri to a room is a simple yet beautiful way to make your home smell like Christmas. The blend of dried botanicals, like orange slices, cinnamon sticks, cloves, star anise, and pinecones, naturally releases festive aromas that fill the air with warmth and nostalgia.

Set a decorative bowl of potpourri on a coffee table, sideboard, or bathroom counter, and let its spicy, citrusy fragrance infuse the space with holiday cheer. You can even refresh the scent by adding a few drops of essential oils, like cinnamon, fir, or orange, to give the potpourri a longer-lasting fragrance. Not only does it smell amazing, but it also doubles as a lovely seasonal decor accent that effortlessly elevates the look and feel of any room.

Make Your Own Special Christmas Potpourri Mix

DIY Christmas Potpourri Recipes

1. Classic Christmas Potpourri
   • Dried orange slices
   • Cinnamon sticks
   • Star anise
   • Whole cloves
   • Pinecones
   • A few drops of fir or cinnamon essential oil
2. Spiced Cranberry Blend
   • Dried cranberries
   • Bay leaves
   • Whole cloves
   • Cinnamon sticks
   • Dried apple slices
   • A few drops of orange or nutmeg essential oil
3. Winter Forest Mix
   • Small pinecones
   • Dried eucalyptus leaves
   • Dried rosemary sprigs
   • Cedar chips
   • Juniper berries
   • A few drops of pine or cedarwood essential oil
4. Warm Vanilla Spice
   • Dried orange peel
   • Cinnamon sticks
   • Whole nutmeg
   • Vanilla pods (or a couple of drops of vanilla extract on dried peels)

How to Refresh Potpourri Throughout the Season

Spritz with Scented Water: Create a spray by mixing water, a small amount of vodka or witch hazel, and your favorite essential oils. Lightly spritz the potpourri as needed.

Add Essential Oils: A few drops of essential oils—like cinnamon, orange, clove, or pine—on dried elements (like pinecones or orange peels) will instantly revive the fragrance.

Gently Mix the Potpourri: Stir the potpourri every few days to redistribute the oils and release fresh bursts of scent.

Use Fixatives: Mix in a teaspoon of orris root powder to help hold and prolong the fragrance.

Bake Cookies

Is there anything more inviting than the smell of cookies baking in the oven? It’s a simple, delicious way to fill your home with Christmas’s comforting, nostalgic aromas. Whether it’s the scent of warm sugar cookies, spicy gingerbread, or buttery shortbread, baking is an instant mood lifter that brings the Christmas spirit to life.

When your home feels like it could use a little holiday cheer, whip up a batch of cookies with those classic scents we all associate with Christmas. The aroma of cinnamon, vanilla, nutmeg, and brown sugar wafting through the air not only delights your senses but also creates cherished memories for family and friends. And as a bonus, you’ll have delicious treats to enjoy or share as gifts!

Even if you don’t have time for a big baking project, you can still fill your home with those heavenly scents by baking a small batch of ready-made cookie dough or popping a few pre-made cookie sheets into the oven. The key is in the warmth and aroma, which will instantly make your home feel festive and full of love.

Favorite Cookies And Sweet Treats

Here are a few delicious cookies and other sweet treats that will make your home smell like Christmas…

• 5 Different Cookies From One Mother Dough: Make sugar, gingerbread, chocolate, butter cookies and Linzer sandwich cookies.
• Bacardi Rum Cake: A holiday cake made by doctoring up a box mix. Boasts the aromas of vanilla, brown sugar, and buttery rum.
• Grown Up Gingerbread Men: These cookies will fill your home with the scents of gingerbread, molasses, and black pepper. I posted this cookie recipe the third month I began blogging. It’s a family favorite!
• Simply Perfect Sugar Cookies: Another oldie but very good. This i my all time favorite Christmas cookie. I think this is what heaven will smell like!
• Beautiful Cranberry Orange Christmas Bundt Cake: You home will smell like a pasty shop with heady notes of sweet orange, vanilla and a hint of tangy cranberry.

Simmer Christmas Mulled Cider

Mulled cider is one of the most aromatic and delicious ways to fill your home with the cozy scents of Christmas. The warm, spiced aroma of simmering cider instantly evokes holiday cheer and creates a welcoming atmosphere for family and friends. It’s my go-to drink for getting into the Christmas spirit or when we have loved ones gathered at home.

What I love most about mulled cider is how easy it is to make, yet it feels so special. We keep a pot of cider warming on the stove all day on Christmas, filling the house with its comforting fragrance while offering a delicious drink to sip on throughout the festivities. The blend of apples, cinnamon, cloves, orange slices, and star anise not only smells heavenly but also tastes amazing. Spike the heavenly-scented cider by adding your favorite liquor or wine.

Whether you’re hosting a holiday gathering or simply want to enjoy a quiet moment with a warm mug in hand, mulled cider is the perfect way to celebrate the season. And as a bonus, it doubles as a natural air freshener for your home!

Keep the ingredients on hand so you can sip Christmas Mulled Cider all season long.

Dry Oranges

Drying oranges is a beautiful, nostalgic way to add a distinct holiday scent and natural charm to your Christmas home. The process is simple, and the results are so versatile! Use dried oranges in everything from drinks and cooking to crafting festive handmade decor.

One of my favorite uses for dried oranges is stringing them into garlands or adding them to wreaths and table centerpieces. A single dried orange slice tucked into the ribbon a Christams gift creates a pretty and memorable finishing touch. You can even enhance their natural citrusy fragrance by adding a drop or two of orange or tangerine essential oil to the rinds.

Dried oranges are also a perfect addition to a Christmas simmer pot. As they warm and blend with ingredients like cinnamon sticks, cloves, and star anise, their essence wafts through your home, filling it with the bright, cozy scents of the season.

How To Dry Oranges So They Stay Vibrant is one of StoneGable’s reader’s favorites! And see 8 Ways To Use Beautiful Aromatic Oranges.

Make Holiday Scented Pinecones

Scented pinecones are a wonderfully spicy way to bring the aromas of the holidays into your home. Not only do they fill your space with the warm, comforting scent of cinnamon and cloves, but they’re also an iconic and timeless Christmas decor element. Best of all, their charm extends beyond the holiday season, making them perfect for adding a cozy touch to your home well into the winter months.

Even if you’re not particularly crafty, making scented pinecones is surprisingly simple. With just a few basic materials, you can create a batch of these beautifully fragrant accents to display in bowls, arrange in centerpieces, or even hang as ornaments. They also make lovely Christmas gifts. Whether purchased pre-made or created as a fun DIY project, scented pinecones are a festive and versatile way to enhance both the look, feel and smell of your holiday home.

Check out how easy it is to make Beautifully Scented Pinecones.

Christmas Scented Room Sprays

Christmas-scented room sprays are a quick and effortless way to make your home smell warm, festive, and inviting. With just a spritz or two, you can fill any space with the nostalgic scents of the season. Room sprays are perfect for those moments when you want an instant boost of holiday cheer without the effort of lighting a candle or simmering a pot on the stove. They’re also versatile: use them to freshen up living rooms before guests arrive, give bedrooms a cozy ambiance, or add a festive touch to bathrooms.

How to Make Room Sprays

Add your chosen essential oils, shake well, and spritz throughout your home. Combine 1/2 cup distilled water and 1–2 teaspoons of witch hazel or vodka (to help disperse the oils) in a spray bottle.

DIY Christmas Room Spray Ideas

Making your own holiday room spray is simple, cost-effective, and customizable. All you need is a spray bottle, distilled water, and your favorite essential oils.

1. Classic Christmas Tree
   • Essential Oils: 10 drops of fir, 5 drops of cedarwood, and 5 drops of pine.
   • Smells like a freshly cut Christmas tree!
2. Warm Spiced Citrus
   • Essential Oils: 8 drops of orange, 5 drops of cinnamon, and 3 drops of clove.
   • A cozy blend of citrus and warm spices.
3. Peppermint Candy Cane
   • Essential Oils: 10 drops of peppermint and 5 drops of vanilla.
   • Fresh, sweet, and perfect for holiday cheer.
4. Sugar Cookie Delight
   • Essential Oils: 8 drops of vanilla, 5 drops of nutmeg, and 3 drops of cinnamon.
   • Sweet and bakery-fresh for a cozy kitchen feeling.
5. Frosted Winter Morning
   • Essential Oils: 7 drops of eucalyptus, 5 drops of peppermint, and 3 drops of lavender.
   • Crisp and clean with a hint of calm.

Force Paperwhites

The sweet, perfumed aroma of paperwhites has been a part of my Christmas traditions for decades. While they don’t have the classic warmth like cinnamon, pine, or cloves, their gentle floral fragrance feels just as festive in its own way. The soft, sweet aroma as I pass by a blooming bulb always feels like the perfect nod to the holiday season and makes me smile!

Paperwhites are not only fragrant but also beautiful, with their delicate white blooms adding a fresh and elegant touch to your Christmas decor. Place paperwhites in high-traffic areas like your entryway, dining room, or coffee table, where their scent and beauty can be enjoyed. Their graceful flowers pair well with evergreens, pinecones, and other holiday decor, creating a simple yet stunning Christmas through winter display.

How to Plant and Water Paperwhites

1. Choose Your Bulbs
   • Select healthy, firm paperwhite bulbs free of soft spots or damage.
2. Pick a Container
   • Use a shallow bowl, vase, tall glass cylinder or planter without drainage holes if planting in pebbles.
   • For soil planting, choose a container with drainage holes.
3. Select Your Planting Medium
   • For Pebbles/Gravel: Fill the container with 2-3 inches of pebbles, small stones, or glass marbles.
   • For Soil: Fill the container halfway with moist potting soil.
4. Plant the Bulbs
   • Place the bulbs pointed side up. Gently press them into the gravel or soil, leaving the tops exposed.
   • If planting in gravel, add more pebbles around the bulbs to hold them in place.
5. Add Water
   • For Pebbles/Gravel: Add water until it reaches just below the base of the bulbs. The bulbs should not sit directly in water, or they may rot. The roots will grow towards the water.
   • For Soil: Water lightly until the soil is moist but not soggy.
6. Position the Container
   • Place the container in a bright, cool spot with light but not direct sunlight.
7. Monitor Water Levels
   • Check daily to ensure the water level stays just below the base of the bulbs. Add more water as needed.
   • If using soil, water sparingly, keeping the soil lightly moist but not oversaturated.
8. Support the Stems
   • As the stems grow taller, they may need extra support. Tie them gently with ribbon or twine, or place decorative stakes in the container.
9. Enjoy the Blooms
   • Paperwhites will bloom within 3–5 weeks. Move them to a slightly cooler area once they flower to help the blooms last longer.

More Ideas To Make Your Home Smell Like Christmas

Try these ideas to bring the smell of Christmas to your home…

• Make a Fresh Wreath or Garland: Use real evergreens like pine, cedar, and fir to bring a natural forest scent indoors.
• Simmer Vanilla Extract: Add a teaspoon of vanilla extract to a pot of water and let it simmer for a soft, sweet fragrance.
• Use Scented Wax Melts: Melt festive-scented wax cubes like gingerbread, peppermint, or pine in a wax warmer.
• Spray Linen Sprays: Lightly spritz holiday-scented sprays on curtains, pillows, and throw blankets.
• Make a DIY Cinnamon Stick Bundle: Tie cinnamon sticks together with twine and place them in vases or on trays. Add a few drops of essential oil to them to enhance their aroma.
• Burn Bay Leaves: Gently burn dried bay leaves in a fire-safe dish for a light, herbal Christmas scent.
• Decorate with Dried Herbs: Hang bundles of rosemary, thyme, or sage for a fragrant, rustic touch.
• Light a Fireplace or Firewood Candle: If you don’t have a real fireplace, candles with a smoky wood scent add a cozy feel.
• Use Scented Drawer Liners: Line drawers or shelves with cedar or holiday-scented paper for a subtle, long-lasting fragrance.
• Bake a Fresh Loaf of Gingerbread: The smell of ginger, cinnamon, and molasses is pure holiday magic.

The power of holiday scents lies in their ability to add another layer of Christmas to your home, evoking the most precious memories from Christmas past. Each scent you add to your home adds special notes to enjoy, savor, and lift your spirits.

Experiment with these ideas to find the scents that bring the most magic to your home this season. After all, it’s those little details—like the smell of cookies baking or the floral sweetness of paperwhites that make Christmas feel truly unforgettable.

Wishing you a holiday season that’s as beautiful, cozy, and wonderfully scented as ever!

Christmas Scents FAQs

Merry Christmas, friends!