Did you know that smells connect directly to areas of the brain that process memories? To prepare for the holidays, you might want to know how to make a fake Christmas tree smell real or discover the perfect Christmas tree scent for an artificial tree. After all, Christmas is a holiday all about the wonderful scents of winter greenery and once-a-year recipes.
Whether it's the smell of hot chocolate or cinnamon and nutmeg from mulled wine, Christmas is filled with distinct scents. If you're wondering how to make an artificial Christmas tree smell real, adding the right scents to your home can bring the holiday magic to life.
What Does a Christmas Tree Smell Like?
Christmas trees smell so good because of the chemical compounds called terpenes, which are found in tree resin of confider trees. Terpenes are responsible for the distinctive scent associated with forests and Christmas trees. Some trees are more fragrant than others, but most winter coniferous trees smell woody, fresh and slightly resinous with a hint of camphor. Learning how to make a Christmas tree smell like a real tree is part of creating the full holiday experience.
Three chemicals produce the unique aroma of a Christmas tree¹:
- Alpha-pinene
- Beta-pinene
- Bornyl acetate
What kind of Christmas tree smells best largely depends on your preferences, but Balsam Fir is often celebrated for its robust fragrance. The compounds responsible for the scent are released as a natural defense mechanism against pests or diseases. When the bark is damaged, the resin is released allowing the compounds to disperse.2
Types of Christmas Trees & Their Scents
Some of the most popular tree varieties for Christmas include:
- Balsam Fir: Expect a scent that's a little spicy, sweet and full of resin. It's the most fragrant of the options.
- Douglas Fir: Enjoy the same piney scent of a winter forest but with notes of citrus such as tangerine or lemon.
- Fraser Fir: Fraser firs smell similar to the Douglas variety with citrus top notes. However, these trees are often chosen because they dry slowly, resulting in a pleasant yet subtle odor.
- Scotch Pine: This tree variety has a mild, sweet odor reminiscent of turpentine, with hints of licorice. It's an excellent choice for those who prefer minimal fragrance.
- Colorado Blue Spruce: Like all coniferous trees, the Colorado Blue Spruce has a crisp, woody and camphorous scent, complemented by a lovely citrus note.
If you're using an artificial tree, exploring artificial Christmas tree scents can help recreate the fragrance of these real varieties.
Ways To Make an Artificial Christmas Tree Smell Real
Pine Cone Ornaments
Pinecones make beautiful, natural decorations for holiday displays and can add a pleasant pine scent to artificial Christmas trees. You can rub these seed pods down with essential oils from your favorite tree variety to get a new burst of scent each time. Store your favorite essential oil blend in a spray bottle and give the ornaments a spritz whenever it occurs to you.
Depending on your preferred display orientation, you can drill a small hole and put it in a loop for hanging or simply tie a wire around the base or tip.
Real Evergreen Branches
Even if you're using an artificial tree, incorporating a few real evergreen branches around the base or in a centerpiece can help make your Christmas tree smell real. The trick is to get several branches and store them with the cut edge in water when not in use.
Rotate your branches regularly and trim them as time goes on to refresh the piney scent. Storing them in water helps prevent needle drop and keeps the branches fresh.
Essential Oils
Wondering which essential oil smells most like a Christmas tree? Look for oils derived from Balsam Fir, Douglas Fir or Spruce trees. These oils can be used in diffusers or applied to cotton balls that you strategically place in the branches.
Avoid applying essential oils directly to the tree or decorations, as the oils can be flammable or damage finishes.
Scented Candles
Candles are a great way to add a lovely scent to any room, as long as you use them safely. To make your Christmas tree smell real and fresh-cut, pick a scented candle that reminds you of the holidays. You might want to combine a few to bring out the joy of the season. For example, a sugar cookie candle and a balsam fir scent might remind you of past Christmasses.
For safety, keep candles and any flammable decorations away from your tree. While most artificial trees are treated with flame retardants, your decorations may not be.
Room Sprays & Diffusers
If you've found your favorite Christmas tree smell, it might be available as a room spray or an essential oil. If it comes in a spray, you can lightly spritz the curtains near your tree or give the tree skirt a spray or two. Blending artificial Christmas tree scents with holiday spices like cinnamon, vanilla or clove can elevate the atmosphere.
For diffusers, mix water with your selected essential oils according to the machine's instructions.
Frequently Asked Questions
How Do I Make My Tree Smell Like Christmas?
Find a blend of the scents that remind you of the holidays and use those to create a symphony of smells in and around your tree. You can use candles, essential oils, pinecones, cinnamon sticks, or even scent diffusers.
What Scent Smells Like Christmas?
Christmas is often a blend of pine freshness with cinnamon and sugar, along with more savory smells like a smoky fire or fresh-baked gingerbread.
What Scent Is the Real Christmas Tree?
Real Christmas trees tend to smell fresh, woody, resinous, camphorous and a little citrusy.
How Do You Recreate the Smell of a Christmas Tree?
For the most authentic odors, use parts of a real tree to bring the smell home. If that's not an option, consider using essential oils from real Christmas trees.
What Essential Oil Smells Like a Christmas Tree?
Essential oils derived from popular Christmas tree varieties are available. Look for scents from Balsam Firs, Scotch Pines, Spruce, Juniper, or Douglas Fir. Then choose which blends you like best.
What's the Best Christmas Tree Smell?
The most popular tree variety known for its fragrance is the Balsam Fir.
How Do I Make a Christmas Tree Smell Better?
If you're worried about the odor of your artificial tree, give it a few days to air out before assembling it. Make sure it's in the shade while it vents any chemical odors.
Sources
- ThoughtCo. (n.d.). Why Christmas trees smell so good. Retrieved from https://www.thoughtco.com/why-christmas-trees-smell-so-good-606134
- North Carolina State University College of Natural Resources. (2021, December). Why do Christmas trees smell so good? Retrieved from https://cnr.ncsu.edu/news/2021/12/christmas-trees-smell-good/
