Festive Smells, Magic Season!

Winter attacks us with the most merciless, desolate conditions on the calendar, and we can brace ourselves for challenges after last year’s snowy onslaughts. Yet for many of us, the end of the year is considered a time of warmth, comfort and affection- something very much ignited by smell.

As Christmas approaches, our kitchens are filled with the fragrances of spice and warm drinks, enveloping us in a sense of safety as we shut the cold outside. In the home, we decorate with lights and ornaments, but aroma is what brings it all to life. We can’t help but pick up an orange pomander and give it a big whiff, and the scent of roast dinner wafting through the house is a pleasure we all look forward to!

Beyond the home, potent aromas draw us to the warmth of shops or market stalls- roasting nuts and fresh pastries are hard to stay away from! And who doesn’t love the smoky satisfaction of a bonfire on the 5th November? Smell enhances the immersion of a Christmas market, a country pub, shops and our own homes, encouraging us to come together and enjoy what we have in spite of the frost.

We don’t give them much thought, but the festive smells enjoyed every year are integral in turning the most foreboding season into one of magic. The sensory wonder they provoke is so ingrained in our memories that Christmas often feels like a part of childhood has returned, and without them, it just wouldn’t be the same.