We love a home that smells of Christmas around the festive period - freshness of pine, warmth of spices and sweetness of citris in the air. Beware of achieving this artifically with festive candles, plug ins and sprays that promise Christmas in a bottle but are filled with harsh synthetic chemicals that circulate around our place of safety. They can trigger headaches, lethargy and research shows can disrupt our hormones and gut microbiome.
This year let's bring back the smell of Christmas naturally. Here are some ideas of how to achieve this...
- Simmer Pots - Simply add water to a pan and gently simmer a mix of festive ingredients: cinnamon sticks, cloves, orange peel, star anise, rosemary & pine
- Diffuse Essential Oils - Use individual oils or create blends for your home. Sweet orange is upfliting and warm, Cinnamon is comforting and spicy, clove bud is cosy and traditional. A few drops in a diffuser can fill a room with natural scent
- Make a Festive Room Spray - in a bottle add water, 1 tablespoon of witch hazel or vodka (to help oils disperse) and 10 - 20 drops of an oil of your choice or create your own blend. Spray into the air and on carpets, radiators, curtains etc.
- Make Your own Festive Surface Cleaner - in a glass bottles add a solution of half water and half vinegar, two tablespoons of castile soap and 20 drops of an essential oil of your choice (or make a blend). We stock these ingredients here.
- Choose Candles Wisely - if you love candles opt for soy wax with essential oils. We stock these and as a refill.
- Decorate with Nature - hang eucalyptus or pine branches, add dried orange slices, cinnamon sticks and star anise to wreaths, Christmas trees and table decorations
- Bake to Create the Smell of Christmas - sometimes the best scent is the one that comes from the oven. Gingerbread, minced pies and spiced biscuits.
For a fresh natural home with Christmas, skip the synthetic sprays and candles. Fill your home with truly Christmas scents that bring calm and comfort (in the chaos!) and connect you with nature. A naturally scented home doesn't just smell good it feels good too.