Holiday Tips - Fragrant Ideas

Fragrant Ideas

Filling the house with seasonal scents is a big part of conjuring up happy memories and creating new ones. However, as pleasurable as they may be, most holiday smells are assertive and can over-power the aromas of food. So place highly scented decorations and candles away from the dining table.

Here are a few easy ideas to scent your home when entertaining for the holidays. Though most of these ideas have Christmas in mind, some will work for Thanksgiving as well:

-- Put a large pot of mulled cider on the stove to simmer about 30 minutes before guests are due to arrive so the smell of apples and spices will waft through the house.

-- Place a basket of pomanders, bundles of cinnamon sticks and evergreen clippings in the powder rooms and/or by the front door.

-- Place pots of blooming narcissus near the front door, and give one to each guest on departure at the end of the evening.

-- Light a fire in the firplace, especially if you are lucky enough to have a wood burning one. (Laws in California prevent any new homes having wood burning fireplaces. We must do with gas ones!) The woodsy scent will fill the room and create an aura of coziness. As for those of us here in California who are stuck with gas fireplaces, the ambiance is still worth turning the fireplace on!

-- Light scented candles and place them in the powder room and in other locations throughout the house away from food.

-- Hang a fresh bay leaf wreath in the kitchen. The herb's clean, natural scent echoes those used in stuffing recipes and other seasonal dishes. It will cheer the cook too!

-- Wire stems of fresh greenery together (trimmings from the tree are fine) to make garlands. Drape the garlands over the tops of mirrors, over doorways and on the mantel.