From the family room to the kitchen, here are a few creative ideas to fill your home with holiday scents this season.
#1 Simmer some stovetop potpourri – Stovetop potpourri is easy to make and it will make your home smell divine! Combine one sliced orange, ½ cup of fresh cranberries, four cinnamon sticks, a tablespoon of cloves and 1/8 teaspoon of nutmeg in 2-3 cups of water and let it simmer for as long as you would like. The fresh scent wafting through the air will be a special treat for all.
#2 Create a fresh sage wreath – This is an easy and decorative way to add a fresh scent to your home. Pick up a styrofoam wreath at your local craft store and get a generous amount of sage. Wrap the sage around the wreath and secure it with grosgrain ribbon, adding more decorations to the wreath if you like. Try hanging the wreath above a door to usher in a fresh scent.
#3 Slow cook some apple cider – Combine eight cups of store bought apple cider, three large cinnamon sticks, one orange and two tablespoons of whole cloves in a slow cooker and let it simmer on low for two hours. Cut the apple into slides and add it to the mix, allowing it to simmer for another hour or so. The smell will liven up your home and the cider is a delicious drink everyone can enjoy.
#4 Melt wax cubes – Gather an assortment of wax cubes in your favorite colors and scents, put them in a bowl and melt them. These are a great, flame-free alternative to candles that can add a special touch to the sights and scents in your home.
#5 Homemade holiday garland – Kids can help with this throwback holiday idea. Bake thin slices of fruit like oranges, apples, limes and cranberries in the oven. After they have dried, string the pieces together with other items like popcorn, nuts and cinnamon on a strand of twine. Add the garland to your tree, to the mantle, on the staircase or to a doorway for a smell-good twist on your home decor.
#6 Use fresh greenery – Whether it is a live Christmas tree, fresh wreaths or a festive centerpiece, the pine smell of fresh greenery can always set the holiday mood.
#7 Scent some pine cones – Bring the outdoors inside with some made-from-scratch scented pine cones. Gather some pine cones, wash and dry them, then spray them with a mixture of water and essential oils like orange, cinnamon, peppermint, apple or sage. Seal them in a plastic bag overnight so the scent will set, then take them out so they air dry. Voila!
#8 DIY Peppermint Spray – Make your very own peppermint spray and shower your home with this scent throughout the holidays. Just add 15-20 drops of peppermint essential oil to approximately eight ounces of distilled water and put it in a spray bottle. This candy-cane scent is an easy way to awaken your senses for the season.
Happy Holidays from the Contractor’s Best Pest Solution team!
