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.
“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
Marketing 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.”
Christmas Baking
Sarah, Carvansons’ HR Manager, delves into her traditions,
“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
At Carvansons we are experts in niche and bespoke perfumery and can create fragrances of all types for any number of applications. Our bespoke fragrance oil creation and manufacturing service enables our customers to create the perfect scent for their product. We work in partnership with our customers to provide them with unique fragrances that give their products a unique identity. Our talented evaluators and perfumers identify new and exciting trends and raw materials, creating perfumes that excite and delight.