One thing I associate most with the holidays are fragrances- Pumpkin pie, sugar cookies, Christmas trees…I love holiday scents! I also think of warm, inviting homes with fireplaces burning and tables adorned with festive holiday decorations. Below are my 14 ways to have a fresh and festive holiday:
- Make Your Own Pomander: It’s easy to make an pretty decoration that smells fab too. Take a large orange and stick whole clove buds all over it. If they don’t go right in, try using a toothpick to create the hole first. Make a few of them and put them in a large bowl with some cinnamon sticks or scented pine cones for a pretty and delicious smelling display.
- Bake, Bake, Bake: Nothing beats the smell of homebaked goods cooking in the oven. Look up some recipes online that use spices like ginger, clove or allspice.
- Make Sugar Cookies with the Kids: Lets face it, most moms are very busy. Let yourself off the hook and purchase pre-made dough to save some time (and mess!) yet still spend some quality time with your kids.
- Candles! Scented candles not only fill your house with a great scent, they look pretty and create a nice ambiance. If you don’t have little children that creates a safety hazzard, go to town with the candles!
- Plug-ins- If you do have little children, opt for plug in scents. I LOVE the ones from Bath & Body Works- especially the clove bud one.
- Start a Fire: If you have a fireplace, try one of those color burning logs for a pretty show while warming your toes and drinking hot cocoa in front of the fireplace.
- Decorate your Mantle: This is my favorite thing to decorate for the holidays. You can use a garland of fall leaves for Thanksgiving or Holly or Mistletoe for Christmas. Add some lights for a pretty glow.
- Decorate your Front Door: Guests will be greeted with festivity if you hang a wreath or other decorative item on your front door. It’s warm and inviting.
- Decorate the Bathroom: Guest will inevitably have to use the bathroom. Hang some holiday hand towels or even a shower curtain!
- Do some laundry: I know, I know…you are thinking “huh?” Our dryer vents right out to the front of the house. I love the smell of clean laundry. For some reason it smells especially good outside on a cold rainy day.
- Get Hubby Involved: We decorate the inside for our family. Get your Hubs to string up some Christmas lights outside. Make sure you direct him so they go on straight and look nice 😉
- Involve the Kids too: Have them make some paper holiday chains to hang in their room. Use red and green paper for Christmas or Red, Orange, Yellow and Brown for Thanksgiving.
- Don’t forget Fido: Get him smelling fresh with a bath and festive with a Christmas sweater- hee, hee!
- Simmer Spices: If you have a wood stove, a great way to keep the air from drying out is to put a pan of water right on top. Add some spices to it for a yummy scent- again with the clove, cinnamon and allspice- my favorites!
How do YOU have a fresh and festive holiday? We’d love to hear! Leave us a comment!
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