For over a decade I couldn’t smell a thing. No scents, no aromas, literally nothing. I was diagnosed with chronic sinusitis and I tried every conceivable solution, including multiple surgeries, to regain my sense of smell. But nothing worked, and it seemed I was destined to live a scentless existence, until my doctor suggested a game-changer: a medication called “Dupixent.” It was a revelation, and suddenly, I COULD SMELL AGAIN!
At first, I was a bit overwhelmed with all of the scents coming my way. Fragrances were everywhere. They seemed so potent, almost too much. However, as the weeks went on, I got used to being able to smell the world again, and I became a little obsessed with fragrances. I swear, my newfound obsession led me to try at least half of the candles on the market.
Now, during the holidays when we’re having guests over, I don’t need to ask my husband if the house smells alright. I know it does! Everyone consistently comments on how great our house smells, and I have to agree.
So, allow me to share my tried-and-true holiday fragrance recommendations, guaranteed to make your home smell fantastic this holiday season. Here they are:
Holiday Potpourri
In a large saucepan add:
- 6 cups of water
- 1 orange, sliced into wedges
- 1 cinnamon stick or 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- ½ teaspoon nutmeg
- 10-15 Allspice berries
- 1/2 cup cranberries
- 2-3 sprigs fresh rosemary or a few clippings of needles from your fresh Christmas tree
Simmer on low and add more water as needed. This little concoction smells amazing! I keep this holiday potpourri going in my home from Thanksgiving until New Years.
Candles: Frasier Fir by Thymes and Classic Holiday by Nest
I can’t decide which of these holiday candles I like more, so I go back and forth between them during the holidays.
- Frasier Fir is the perfect mix of fir needles, sandalwood and cedarwood. It has a cult following and it often sells out. It’s not overly piney like some candles. The scent is calming, warming, and pure perfection.
- Nest’s Holiday candle is the perfect blend of mandarin, pomegranate, cinnamon, pine, vanilla, and amber. It’s an amazing smelling candle that captures the essence of Christmas.
Also, both of these candles come beautifully packaged and make wonderful holiday gifts!
Pura Smart Fragrance Diffuser
I must confess, I’m quite smitten with Pura. We have one in the living room, another in the kitchen, and a third in the basement. Now, there’s a new study out that shows that aromatherapy during sleep boosts memory and fights dementia, so I’ll be ordering one for the bedroom too! Each Pura device holds two fragrance bottles, which you control with the Pura app, setting the times you’d like it to run, as well as the scent level. The best part? They’re pet friendly too!
It should come as no surprise that my top holiday scent recommendation for Pura is “Frasier Fir” by Thymes. But there are other fantastic holiday fragrances worth exploring as well:
- Tinsel and Spice by Capri Blue: It’s the perfect blend of juniper berry, mandarin, cinnamon, clove, vanilla, and pine. It’s the perfect backdrop to a cozy holiday season spent with those you love.
- Winter White by Illume: This fragrance captures the essence of evergreen with a touch of spiciness and a hint of citrus. The scent is crisp, clean, and smells like wintertime.
- Pumpkin Chai by Nest: A wonderful choice for Thanksgiving time, this fragrance is a mix of pumpkin and nutmeg, with a splash of vanilla and cedar, and finished off with a dash of clove and ginger. It exudes warmth and coziness as the temperatures drop, creating the perfect fragrance for the fall season.
I hope these fragrances elevate your holiday experience and make your home feel even more inviting during this special time of year. From my nose to yours, may your sense of smell be as sharp as your wit this season. Happy Holidays Everyone!
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