Chestnuts Roasting on an Open Fire? The Connection Between Your Favorite Scents and Happy Holiday Memories

There’s something about the smell of peppermint, pine, or fresh winter air that brings the holidays to life. We all have memories associated with our favorite holiday smells. For some of us, it’s the memory of decorating the Christmas tree and the aromatic scent of pine. For others, it’s spending time in the kitchen with family and taking in the warm scents of vanilla, clove, or cinnamon.

Researchers have looked into this interesting connection in order to better understand how something as simple as the smell of a candle can trigger a complex series of emotional memories. According to Psychology Today, there is a direct anatomic connection between our olfactory bulb, which starts in our nose, and the amygdala and hippocampus, which are areas of our brain associated with memory and emotion.

This connection has been studied extensively by neuroscientists. For example, Psychology Today explains that when study participants encountered the smell of a rose, they demonstrated greater activity in the hippocampus and amygdala areas of the brain than when they heard the word “rose” or saw a picture of a rose. These findings, and many others like them, can help us understand that palatable connection between our favorite scents and some of our fondest, most vivid memories.

There are many ways to capture the happy memories (and smells) of the holidays year-round starting with the products you use every day. Take a look at these luxurious skin care scents that capture the old and new favorites of classic holiday aromas.

Citrus

Christmas occurs during the growing season of some of the most popular citrus varieties, including navel organs, valencia oranges, and blood oranges. Historically, this overlap made oranges and other forms of citrus very popular gifts. Today, the scent of citrus, paired with other holiday spices such as cloves, cranberries, and cinnamon are used to create a cozy holiday ambiance and very powerful memories.

To capture this sweet yet light scent, incorporate the essence of citrus in your day-to-day skin care products such as a natural lip balm. Explore fun twists on a classic seasonal scent with scents like apricot, tropical passionfruit, or honeydew melon. The subtle essence of citrus and other fun alternatives will add just the right amount of aroma to bring up delightful memories while keeping your lips moisturized.

Myrrh, Frankincense, Clove, Anise

According to Organic Aromas, myrrh, clove, nutmeg, anise, and many others have been used in Eastern Europe for centuries and have rich significance across many religious stories and traditions, including those discussed in the Bible.

Myrrh, for example, is said to have been gifted by the three wise men and is incorporated into many present-day religious and worship rituals. Anise is another traditional holiday spice with historical significance and is still used in European baked goods today. It is also known to have relaxation properties.

Capture these unique and storied scents in a moisturizing glycerin lotion. Scents like oriental spice are formulated with traditional myrrh and sandalwood to capture the essence of European spice markets. Other ingredients such as clove and nutmeg add healing moisture to the skin while still capturing the powerful ambiance of the holidays.

Look for products made with 100% plant-derived, food-grade glycerin and a vegan, gluten-free formula for rich moisture that will capture the essence of the holidays year-round.

About Camille Beckman

Camille Beckman creates high-quality skin care and personal care products that are gluten-free and never tested on animals. The complete line of bath powders, bath soaks, lotions, and bath oil beads are available on their online store as well as through retail locations all across the U.S.

For additional information, visit Camillebeckman.com