A Lot Like Christmas...
Back in the day when it was traditional to cut a fresh She-Oak or Pine tree, they would be proudly brought into lounge rooms where they would stand for December. Some people would even use Eucalyptus trees - or branches. That beautifully fresh fragrance marked the beginning of the festive season. The scent of Pine or Eucalyptus would fill the air.
That was followed by getting handmade treats out to the wider family. This meant the kitchen was often filled with the glorious scent of gingerbread biscuits - gingerbread boys and girls, houses and stars - waiting to be iced. Plain icing, coloured icing... and that sweet sugary, gingery, cinammon and clove smell...
Of course there were the Shortbreads, Rum Balls, jars of Homemade Drunken Apricots, Peppermint Balls and Coconut Ice. The most amazing thing about these memories is that it only takes a few seconds to catch that smell, a short whiff of something and the memories come flooding back... Arguing about feeding the Christmas cake too much Brandy... Fighting about the left over icing and the broken biscuits... and sneaking treats here and there.
Over the years Candy Canes became more and more popular and featured on the tree, in our bows of treats and eventually came and went as a part of the christmas card giving tradition too.
Christmas fragrances like Frankincense and Myrhh can have religious or family ties to traditions, reminding us of attending Church or just being close to family.
So the next time you smell a delightful Christmas fragrance that reminds you of something wonderful, take note - and if you can't or don't want to re-create that fragrance the original way then do yourself a favour and follow some of our tips!
- Serve up some storebought gingerbread - the aroma is still there - just not as strong.
- Get some Candy Canes and Peppermint Balls
- Put on an oil burner with some Frankincense and Myrhh
And finally if you just love the flicker of a candle flame, and the wonderful gourmand aroma's that scented candles can create - treat yourself to a clean burning Christmas scented soy candle!