What Can I Put On My Christmas Tree To Make It Smell Good?

The Appeal of a Fresh Smelling Christmas Tree

The unmistakable and nostalgic scent of a real, fresh Christmas tree is one of the best parts of the holiday season for many people. The Christmas tree brings a refreshing, woodsy aroma into your home that instantly evokes feelings of joy and excitement for the holidays. Studies have shown that the aroma of a real Christmas tree can boost people’s moods and trigger happy childhood memories. The scent comes from essential oils called terpenes that are produced and stored in the needles, twigs and sap of the tree. This includes compounds like pinene, limonene, and myrcene which provide that lovely fresh pine aroma. As the tree warms up indoors, the smell of the tree is released into the air. Real trees naturally scent a room in a way that artificial trees simply can’t replicate.

If you want to enhance and maximize the natural Christmas tree smell in your home, there are some simple things you can do. In this article, we’ll cover different tips and methods for making your Christmas tree extra fragrant and filling your home with festive evergreen aromas that will make the season merry and bright.

Discuss favorite Christmas tree smells

Some of the most pleasing and nostalgic Christmas tree scents include pine, cinnamon, and citrus. The pine scent reminds many of walking through a fresh evergreen forest or selecting a live Christmas tree outdoors. The woods contain natural compounds called terpenes, which provide pine trees their distinctive smell. Some people love bringing this forest fragrance into their homes during the holidays by placing a pine-scented candle or essential oil near the Christmas tree.

Cinnamon evokes images of holiday baking, delicious seasonal treats like apple pies and gingerbread cookies. Cinnamon sticks, pinecones, and oranges were traditionally used to decorate Christmas trees before tree ornaments became popular. The warm, spicy aroma of cinnamon is associated with the holidays and can be infused into tree decorations like scented pinecones or ornaments.

Citrus scents like orange, lemon, and lime stimulate the senses with their bright, uplifting notes. Many love the combination of evergreen and citrus during the holidays, as the mix of fresh pine and tangy fruit smells clean and festive. Diffusing citrus essential oils or using scented sprays on the Christmas tree can impart an energizing citrus aroma.

Consider fragrant botanicals

Certain botanicals and herbs can infuse your Christmas tree with lovely fragrances. Consider using fragrant plants like rosemary, pine, lavender, and eucalyptus. You can make small bunches and tie them to tree branches. The aroma will fill the room as the plants dry out.

Rosemary is a popular choice because of its pine-like fragrance that evokes the freshness of an evergreen tree. Its needle-like leaves complement the tree’s aesthetic as well. Simply cut sprigs of rosemary and wrap florist wire around the stems to attach them to branches.[1]

Lavender buds and flowers are another excellent option. Their sweet floral scent provides a pleasant contrast to the woody pine notes. Mini dried lavender bundles make charming tree decorations. You can also try intermixing lavender with other herbs.

Pine cones gathered from pine, fir, or spruce trees infuse your Christmas tree with authentic evergreen aroma. Look for ones that are closed and haven’t opened up yet. The unopened cones contain the most fragrant pine resin. Arrange small clusters of pine cones throughout your tree or wrap garland around the branches.[2]

Experiment with combinations like rosemary and lavender or rosemary and pine to create your own custom Christmas tree scent.

Use essential oils

One popular way to make your Christmas tree smell extra fragrant is by using essential oils. Essential oils provide concentrated plant essences that can fill your whole home with scent. For the Christmas tree, look for pine, cinnamon, clove, and other festive scents that evoke the holidays.

Recommend adding a few drops of pine, cinnamon, clove or other essential oils to ornament hooks. As the ornaments move and the tree gets warmer, the essential oils will diffuse their smells throughout the room. You can also make your own scented ornaments by adding a few drops of essential oil to clay ornaments before baking them. Just poke a hole before baking so the oil can be released.

Since essential oils are highly concentrated, only use a couple drops at a time. Too much can be overpowering in your home. Experiment with different essential oil combinations and amounts to find the right potency for your tree.

Try scented ornaments

One of the easiest ways to make your Christmas tree smell amazing is by using scented ornaments. Many ornament companies now offer Christmas bulbs and decorations that are infused with lovely fragrances from essential oils. These scented ornaments slowly release their aroma over time, filling your home with festive scents of cinnamon, pine, oranges, cloves, and more.

Look for scented glass ball ornaments, which contain fragrance oils sealed inside a beautiful glass bulb. Hang these on your tree branches and gently shake the ornaments periodically to renew the scent. Scented pine cones and decorative ornaments made from fragrant potpourri ingredients are also available. Consider combining a few different scented ornaments for a custom blended aroma from your tree. Just be sure to keep them away from candles on the tree to avoid overheating the essential oils. Scented ornaments provide an easy way to make your whole Christmas tree smell delicious.

Make Homemade Potpourri

One fun way to make your Christmas tree smell great is by making your own homemade potpourri. Potpourri is a mixture of dried flowers, herbs, spices, essential oils, and other natural ingredients that release a lovely fragrance. It’s simple to make your own Christmas-themed potpourri at home.

A festive homemade potpourri can be made using oranges, apples, cinnamon sticks, and other seasonal ingredients. Here is a simple recipe to try:

• 3 oranges
• 2 apples
• 1 cup whole allspice
• 1 cup whole cloves
• 20 cinnamon sticks
• 1/4 cup orange oil

Wash the oranges and apples. Slice them into rounds, removing any stems or seeds. Place the slices on a baking sheet and bake at 200°F for 2-3 hours until completely dried out. Allow to cool completely.

Break up the baked oranges and apples into small chunks and place in a large bowl. Add the allspice, cloves, and cinnamon sticks. Drizzle the orange oil over the mixture and stir well until evenly distributed. Transfer to an airtight container or jars.

To use, simply scoop some into small decorative bowls or sachets and place throughout the Christmas tree branches. The warmth of the lights will help release the lovely scent. Refresh with new potpourri as needed to keep your tree smelling citrusy, spicy, and bright.

Use fragrance sprays

One easy way to make your Christmas tree smell festive is by using holiday fragrance sprays designed specifically for trees. There are many commercial sprays on the market that are formulated to give off that nostalgic pine scent associated with Christmas trees.

These sprays contain concentrated pine oils and fragrances that can be misted directly onto your tree. The fine mist allows the fragrance to permeate deep into the branches and needles. Many sprays state they can make your tree smell like it was just freshly cut down from the forest.

Popular brands of tree fragrance sprays include Febreze, Glade, and Bath & Body Works. They come in traditional evergreen scents like pine, spruce, and balsam fir. You can also find holiday variations with notes of cinnamon, cloves, and citrus for a more seasonal aroma.

A few spritzes of these fragrance mists can keep your tree smelling fresh for weeks. Just reapply as needed when you notice the scent starting to fade. The key is making sure you get even coverage over the entire tree from top to bottom. Focus on hard to reach areas in the center of the tree so the whole room can enjoy the scent.

If it’s simply not Christmas without the scent of a real tree in the house, pine-scented candles and Christmas tree scent sprays can add a festive fragrance. (Source)

Consider a Diffuser

A great way to make your whole room smell like Christmas is to use a diffuser with your favorite holiday essential oils. Diffusers gently disperse the essential oil molecules into the air, creating a lovely ambient fragrance. You can place a diffuser near your Christmas tree to give the scent a subtle boost. Opt for invigorating scents like pine, spruce, peppermint, or cinnamon to complement the evergreen aroma of your tree.

When choosing essential oils for your diffuser, select high quality, pure oils. Avoid artificial fragrances which can contain harmful chemicals. Diffusing 100% pure essential oils like fir needle, pine, or eucalyptus is a safe way to scent your home. Try combining complementary essential oils like pine and cinnamon or spruce and clove for a custom Christmas blend.

If you don’t have a diffuser, you can still enjoy essential oils. Try rubbing a few drops of fir needle or pine oil on the lights and ornaments for your tree. The warmth from the lights will help disperse the scent. Just be careful not to overdo it or the strong aroma may become overwhelming.

With a diffuser and some festive essential oil blends, you can make your whole home smell like Christmas in a natural, subtle way.

Try Scent In The Tree Stand

Adding pleasant scents directly to the tree stand water is an easy way to make the entire Christmas tree smell better. The scent from the tree stand water will waft up through the tree as it absorbs the water, lightly infusing the branches and needles with a lovely fragrance.

Some popular options to add scent to the tree stand water include:

• Cinnamon sticks – The warm, spicy aroma of cinnamon is perfect for Christmas. Add a few cinnamon sticks to the tree stand water for a subtle scent.
• Oranges – Small slices of orange or a few whole cloves can provide a bright, citrusy scent. The oils from the orange peel will be released into the water.
• Pinecones – Drop in a few pinecones for an authentic evergreen forest smell. Crush them slightly first to help release the pine oils.

Scented tree stand water can make a real Christmas tree last longer too. The cinnamon and citrus oils have antibacterial properties that inhibit microbial growth, keeping the water clean.

Be sure to check the water level daily and top it off with more scented water as needed. The tree will absorb a lot of water initially and the scent may fade after a few days. Freshen it up by replacing some of the water and adding new cinnamon sticks, orange slices or pinecones.

Summary

There are many great options for making your Christmas tree smell wonderful this holiday season. The fresh, piney scent of a real Christmas tree is a favorite, but you can enhance the aroma in many ways. Essential oils like pine, fir needle, and cinnamon orange can be used in diffusers or scented ornaments. Homemade potpourri with pinecones, cinnamon sticks, cloves, and citrus peels is another festive option. You can also use fragrance sprays on your tree, add scent to the tree stand water, or hang scented pinecones on the branches. No matter which method you choose, a great smelling tree will lift your holiday spirits and spread Christmas cheer.

Filling your home with the nostalgic scents of the season is sure to boost your mood and mental health. Taking time to decorate a fragrant tree also provides an opportunity to reduce stress and enjoy quality family time. A beautifully adorned and aromatic Christmas tree can set the tone for a warm, inviting holiday filled with joyful memories.