Who is the leftist Latin American icon who served as the 40th president of Uruguay?
From festive candles to scented Christmas tree decorations, there are plenty of options for making our homes smell wonderful during the holiday season. However, many of the store-bought options include harsh chemicals that you may wish to avoid having in your home. Thankfully, there are plenty of ways to use natural alternatives that will still give you that delicious Christmas scent.
Curious? Check out this gallery to find out more.
Those who enjoy a fragrant home all year round will be familiar with the concept of potpourri. A good way to make the scent festive is to simmer the mix on the stove.
To bring the cozy scent of a winter forest into your own home, slowly simmer pine needles, berries, cloves, and spices in a stove top pot.
Stove top potpourri uses many of the same ingredients as mulled wine, but it leaves out the wine. It's a great way to achieve the same smell, but keep things alcohol-free.
Next up, we have Palo Santo bundles, which are perfect for people who love to burn incense. They make your house smell great, and they may have other benefits too.
When you burn these smudge sticks, they give off the scent of lemons and pine. Sometimes, they are also wrapped in eucalyptus leaves and other herbs.
Palo Santo bundles hail from South America and, according to legend, they promote creativity, clear negativity, and invite good fortune into your home.
The concept of a scented Christmas candle is nothing new. However, many of the candles found in stores contain lots of unnecessary chemicals.
For a homemade Christmas candle that doesn't call for harsh chemicals, try mixing cinnamon bark, clove bud, and cardamom essential oils.
If you melt soy wax into a shiny copper bowl, you also have a beautiful gift. Perhaps it is just the right option for that person you never know how to buy for.
For a fun and fragrant Christmas tree decoration, look in stores for gingerbread ornaments that contain notes of cinnamon and apple.
The majority of gingerbread ornaments are not actually edible, unfortunately. That doesn't mean they don't smell great, however.
Cinnamon ornaments come in all shapes and sizes, but birds are particularly cute. To make them even more festive, decorate with glitter and beads.
There are few things more festive and cozy than a roaring fire. In fact, the smell of fire by itself is one of the things that most reminds us of Christmas.
However, it is possible to make your fire smell even more Christmas-like by using fragrant fire starters. You may like to try pine cone fire starters, for example.
Another option would be to fill some muslin bags with dried orange slices, sage, lavender, and eucalyptus. Enjoy as your home fills with holiday spirit.
Green wreaths at Christmas have the benefit of smelling nice, as well as looking great. They are reasonably easy to make at home.
For a fresh wreath, use greenery clippings. Bay laurel pairs well with rose hips, while rosemary goes great with eucalyptus seed pods.
The beauty of these wreaths is in their simplicity. You can hang them just about anywhere, and they will immediately start to make your home smell great.
Next up, we have pine cones. Many people are able to forage these during a walk close to their home. They can be easily scented and displayed.
Start by collecting your pine cones and then place them in a zip top bag, adding a few drops of essential oils. Shake the bag gently to distribute the oil properly.
Store the pine cones in a dry, cool, and dark place for a week or two, so that the scent really soaks into them. Once ready, add them to a festive garland or wreath.
If you are a fan of scented sachets during the festive season, perhaps to place in your clothing or linen drawers, look no further than dried balsam.
Take a small muslin bag and fill it with dried balsam for a seasonally appropriate sachet. It is a great way to make sure your linens smell great come the big day.
To make these even more festive, add a Christmas motif using a rubber stamp and green ink. Add a gift tag and share with your family and friends.
One of the key scents of Christmas is citrus, and there are few things cozier than a home filled with the smell of oranges during the festive season.
A great way to spread the delicious scent around your home is to make a citrus garland. These can be made either with fresh oranges or dried orange slices.
For a great smelling garland, use floral wire and add bunches of leaves between the citrus fruits. Your garland is guaranteed to look and smell great.
If you love essential oils, you'll know they can be used to make your home smell great all year-round. But don't forget that includes Christmastime, too.
Essential oil sprays are very easy to make and a great way to give your home a quick refresh if you don't have time to make any of the more time-consuming scented objects.
All you need for an essential oil room spray is a small bottle, distilled water, witch hazel, and a few dried flowers or plants. Why not make a few extras to give to family and friends?
Sources: (Martha Stewart) (The Alchemists Kitchen)
Natural ways to make your home smell like Christmas
Feel festive, but without all the chemicals
LIFESTYLE Festive
From festive candles to scented Christmas tree decorations, there are plenty of options for making our homes smell wonderful during the holiday season. However, many of the store-bought options include harsh chemicals that you may wish to avoid having in your home. Thankfully, there are plenty of ways to use natural alternatives that will still give you that delicious Christmas scent.
Curious? Check out this gallery to find out more.