Pasko na naman, o kay tulin ng araw! Because yes, we spend all our “ber” months prepping for it all year. The moment we hear Mr. Jose Mari Chan and his daughter, Liza, we know it’s that time of the year again (Alexa, play Christmas in Our Hearts). 

So how do we make Christmas even more bongga? We can go beyond the parols, belen statuettes, and holiday tunes by also indulging our sense of smell. Here are some of our fave Christmas scents—para feel na feel ang Pasko.

Home Buddies’ Guide to Holiday Scents

Christmas smells different to everyone. Sometimes, it’s warm, woody aromas like a cozy fireplace. Sometimes, it’s our favorite treats, from hot chocolate to candy canes. And if you’re in a truly Pinoy household, you might even think of what we eat after Misa de Gallo and during Noche Buena, such as puto bumbong, bibingka, lechon, and sweet-cured ham.

Fragrances are powerful because they let us relive all sorts of memories. Plus, they set the mood for every occasion. So why not sprinkle that touch of that magic in your home? These Christmas scents will do just the trick.

Scented Candles

These days, scented candles aren’t just a tita thing—they’re loved because they’re easy to find, easy to use, and super aesthetic. The interplay of fragrance, candlelight, and even the sound of a crackling wood wick creates an experience that really invigorates any atmosphere (uy, parang date lang). But before we venture into Valentine’s, let’s talk about our fave Christmas candles first.

Thrifted Treasures: Christmas Memories & Daydreams

What’s your fondest holiday memory during your childhood? For some of us, it’s going out for simbang gabi (or Misa de Gallo), reveling in the smell of rice cakes, lugaw, and roasted chestnuts on the streets. Thankfully, local brands are with us, weaving those reminiscent days into Christmas scents.

Simoy ng Haraya has always been a fan favorite, with its wide range of scents and concepts. Their Puto Bumbong soy candle—inspired by the beloved snack of the same name—has delicious notes of coconut, milk, and brown sugar. Another one in the same wheelhouse is their Buko Pandan soy candle, a blend of coconut, pandan, milk, vanilla, and cream.

Meanwhile, some might think of peppermint, gingerbread, hot chocolate, and mulled wine—the list goes on. Sweet, aromatic smells are a winner all year round, but don't you think Christmas-themed scents just hit different? 

If this is your bet, check out Home Studio Scents’ Campfire, a soft blend of (heavy) cinnamon, wood, vanilla, and bergamot. “Lovely, but not too overpowering—reminds me of a Starbucks Christmas drink,” a Shopee reviewer eagerly wrote. Yum!

Do you like spending your Christmases in a scenery of tall spruce trees, surrounded by the earthy scent of pine cones and the feel of freshly falling snow? While that’s impossible to do in the country, you can just pretend like it’s a White Christmas with Pabango de Manila’s Christmas Fir scented candle. It’ll whisk you away to snowy days, and you might just forget na mainit talaga sa Pilipinas.

If you’re not into candles and other store-bought scents, we have a bonus DIY option you’re sure to love: This scent-sational hack from one of our Home Buddies Kapitbahays. All you need are orange zest, cinnamon sticks, water, and a pot to mix them in. And that’s it—your very own homemade citrus-cinnamon simmer pot. (We know it’s Christmas, but these witchy vibes are giving!) 

The Classics: Sweet Treats & Champagne Vibes

Bath & Body Works has a wide range of gourmands, making them a household name for many. The fan-fave holiday scent, Vanilla Bean Noel, is a sweet concoction of fresh vanilla and sugar cookies. Other popular ones include Twisted Peppermint, Winter Candy Apple, and Marshmallow Fireside. 

Don’t have a sweet tooth? B&BW still has tons of options that’ll tickle your olfactory senses. Try A Thousand Wishes, a sparkling, ambery scent. If you’re into more aromatic scents, light up Mahogany Teakwood and Eucalyptus Mint. (P.S. These aren’t seasonal, so you can get it any time of the year and make it feel like Christmas—all day, every day!)

The seasonal scents are still unavailable on the website—but you can count on getting your hands on them when they announce their holiday releases. You can also visit their branches in SM Megamall, SM Mall of Asia, Fiesta Mall, and around NAIA.

Treat Yourself: A Luxurious Holiday at Home

Some scents are universal. While our holidays might not conjure up visions of snowflakes on the windowsill and freezing in sweaters, we can picture ourselves gathered around a crackling fireplace, serenaded by Bing Crosby, Nat King Cole, and other crooners so beloved by Mom and Dad. Despite our tropical climate, it encapsulates what a cold winter feels like.

If you want something more bongga, check out Feu de Bois by Diptyque: a woodsy blend with juniper, birch, and cade notes. Think of renting a cabin in Aspen, ganern. Just a word of caution—this fragrance has a potent throw, which might not be the best choice if you’re in the company of someone who’s scent-sitive.

Or, if you’re a Maison Margiela fan (like many of us are), the cult-fave eau de toilette, ‘REPLICA’ By the Fireplace, also comes as a candle. And yes, it’s as comforting as it sounds! This warm and spicy scent is perfect for the holidays. With notes of chestnut, cashmeran, pink pepper, and clove, it’s sweet and creamy without being “foody.”

Essential Oils

Here’s another holiday hero: our scent diffusers and incense. Think of all the possibilities, from natural spices to earthy woods. Plus, they’ve been proven to clear the sinuses, ease the mind, and improve sleep, essential oils. They’ll make your room feel like a spa—a total must-have for some R&R.

Scents like peppermint, eucalyptus, and juniper are mildly sweet, spicy, and refreshing. Even in our climate's warmth (and sweltering heat), they'll make any room seem more relaxed and breezier.

Quick pop quiz: Where did you hear “gold, frankincense, and myrrh” together? If you answered “the Magi and their gifts,” you are correct! Obviously, gold isn’t a scent option (but imagine that), many shops offer essential oils that capture the aromas of frankincense and myrrh. Whether you grew up on the Biblical anecdote or not, these woody and spicy fragrances are your ticket to relaxation—and a ton of health benefits.

So if you’re chasing zen vibes or a healthier you, essential oils are your trusty sidekick this Christmas. You can find excellent choices at Mia Maison, Molycule, SESOU Natural Oils, or Joyscents Shop (as recommended by some of our amazing Kapitbahays).

Don’t forget to check out Kultura, Rustan’s, SM Department Store, and other physical shops—you’ll be surprised at the hidden gems you can discover there.

Make the Holidays Feel Even Warmer with Christmas Scents

Some of our favorite memories are associated with smells. A scented candle or reed diffuser can take you back to your wildest, most fondest memories. Minsan, it’s the streets of your childhood, eager for a taste of buttery bibingka or ice skrambol. Minsan, it’s the rustic pews and balsam of your village parish. And for some of us, it’s a cozy, unforgettable winter you spent abroad. 

Scents help us relive these heartwarming traditions and recreate memories, however far-off those days may have been. For us Pinoys, there’s no place like home—and no time like Christmas. We hope these Christmas scents add great joy and warmth to your household. 

For those sensitive to fragrances, don’t miss out — let your eyes do the smelling. Some candles are great as table decor!  Our community has tried and tested these ones from The RCA Home.

And if you’ve got more in mind, go and share your holy-grail holiday scents with us at our Facebook group or follow us on Instagram for more festive inspiration.

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