It’s beginning to smell a lot like Christmas | Seasonal Scents

Published on 12 September 2025
Share this post
FIF seasonal scents scaled

Whether it’s sugary-sweet treats, the foodie treats, the crisp winter air or events and festivals with family; Christmas is all about scent.

It’s been a little while since we did a blog about some of our favourite scents in the office. So, we thought we would ask our colleagues from throughout the business what their favourite scents are for the festive season and what memories they conjure.

Luckily, we are fortunate to have a very diverse workforce, and as a result, their experiences of the festive period are also diverse.

Our Favourite Festive Fragrances

Festive Foods

Our Business Development Manager, Sara, grew up in Italy so her experience of the festive period is very different to that of many others within the business.

e9e3e5cc 77ad 441e a244 6fdfbf149ebf cartellate IMG_6767 400x267

“My favourite scent is a traditional Christmas fried Dough called Cartellate. Cartellate are crispy and bubbly deep-fried dough pinwheels that resemble the shape of a rose. Traditionally, they are dipped in Italian Syrup or Honey but can also be chocolate-covered or simply dusted with powdered sugar.

My love of this smell takes me back to my family. I recall three generations of my family making Cartellate altogether on Christmas Eve, with Christmas songs playing in the background. For me, Christmas is all about family, especially as I no longer live in Italy.”

 

Christmas Traditions

Laura in our Sales Team has a very personal connection to her favourite festive fragrance.

“My Christmas smell is a very specific potpourri which is in a small metal chain box. Now, I can’t tell you what it smells of or how I came to own it, but just that it smells of Christmas to me. Getting the pot pourri out means it's time for a break and family time.  I also love the classic Cinnamon candle smells."

Fireplace

pexels brett sayles 1708601 1 400x267Marketing Manager Vicki is revisits her childhood Christmases with her scented submission.

"My scent of the season is all connected to the fireplace."

"My parents have a traditional open fire and the fire is very central to our Christmas experience. I have vivid memories around my parents sweeping up the ashes, laying the fire in the morning, opening presents in front of the fire and then finally sitting in front of the fire after having consumed an enormous, delicious Christmas Dinner." 

Christmas Dinner with All the Trimmings

Yassar Khan, a fragrance blender in our Fragrance Samples Manufacturing department, said,

"Nothing beats a Christmas Dinner! Roast Turkey, fresh bread, mince pies and Christmas cake. These smells fill my home with warmth. These festive scents bring families together, making the season feel truly special."

The 12 Days of Christmas Collection

This year our Christmas Fragrances are inspired by the sights, smells and tastes of the build-up to Christmas. These 12 scents are suitable for Candles and Reeds and are a wonderful array of different seasonal scents.

Christmas Baking

Sarah, Carvansons' HR Manager, delves into her traditions,collections Christmas 1200x808

Click here for more seasonal scents

"I love the smell of cinnamon. It reminds me of Christmas Eve spent at my grandparents.  My grandma would bake all afternoon and evening for the family and when we returned from midnight mass we were allowed to eat sweet treats! For me, the scent of Christmas is all about gathering together as a family."

Christmas Tree

Shaun, our Commercial Manager says the build-up events to Christmas is where his scent memories take him.

"My favourite Christmas smell is the smell of my local garden centre at Christmas… in particular, the smell of the Christmas trees, and this smell always reminds me of one of my favourite Christmas traditions… getting the tree!"

Plum Cake

Sumesh in our Export Team says,

“My festive smell is all about the smell of my gran’s Rich Plum Cake. There are so many smells around the festive period that bring back childhood memories. From playful days with family and lots of joy, to Midnight Mass and wine. All of these trigger very happy memories for me."

Christmas Markets

Being a Perfumer/Evaluator, Anthony initially spoke about one of his favourite perfumes that, for him, encapsulates the magic of Christmas.

"One of my very first perfume purchases as a young person was Burberry London for Men, which for me is Christmas in a bottle!"

He continued his festive walk through his memories by recalling the delights of the Christmas Markets.

 "It has to be the scent carried on the smoke from a wood burner, especially when combined with the hot food delights at a European Christmas Market. Roasted Chestnuts anyone?!

There isn’t a better feeling when on a Christmas break, wrapped up in wool scarf, walking around a forgotten rustic old town, taking in the sights, and browsing the Christmas markets, the woodsmoke drawing you into restaurants and taverns – this puts the magic in my Christmas memories. Throw in some light snow, hot mead, wood fire and close family...... I think I might need to book a winter holiday asap!"

Christmas-Inspired Scent Creation

Every year, we release a selection of Christmas Fragrances. This year, we have released our 12 Days of Christmas Collection, which is available to request samples of here.

Looking for a specific festive scent?  Get in touch, we have many scents created for all purposes to celebrate the festive season.

About Carvansons

Carvansons is a global fragrance solutions company specialising in scent design and fragrance selection for commercial environments. 

Through a combination of creativity, technical expertise, and market insight, Carvansons helps businesses create memorable sensory experiences. 

For the full list of regions Carvansons is able to service, click here.

Follow our latest thinking and updates across our social channels

Share your vision with us

Begin your fragrance journey, from early inspiration to full technical brief, we’ll work together to craft the scent that defines it. 

Back to top

This site uses cookies to monitor site performance and provide a mode responsive and personalised experience. You must agree to our use of certain cookies. For more information on how we use and manage cookies, please read our Privacy Policy.