20 Thanksgiving Fragrances to Welcome the Holiday
As the holiday season approaches, there's no better way to get in the mood for Thanksgiving than with scents that evoke the warmth, comfort, and joy of the season. From the comforting scent of freshly baked pies to the earthy richness of fall spices, the right scents can instantly transform your home into a holiday paradise.
Whether you are hosting a large family gathering at your home or enjoy a quiet meal these 20 Thanksgiving scents will fill your space with cozy, inviting aromas that create the perfect atmosphere for celebrating gratitude, tradition, and togetherness.
1. With cedar wood, sandalwood, cinnamon, nutmeg and amber wood
Cedarwood and sandalwood are earthy, earthy woody notes known for their warm, rich and slightly sweet aromas. Cinnamon and nutmeg bring warm, spicy and aromatic tones, giving a cozy, festive feel, while amber-wood is a deep, resinous note that enhances the blend with a hint of smooth sweetness.
“A rich blend of cedarwood, sandalwood and spicy cinnamon, wrapped in a warm nutmeg and amberwood base, evokes memories of cozy parties, crackling fires and the comforting aromas of the season. It's like lighting a piece of nostalgia that fills the room with the warmth and heart of the holidays.”
2. Wine, bergamot and oud
Wine, bergamot and oud are a complex fragrance combination. The wine brings a rich, fruity depth full of dark berries or plums. Bergamot, floral sharpness with a citrus note brightens the blend. Oud, a deep, resinous woody scent, adds warmth, smokiness and an exotic edge, creating a balanced blend that feels mysterious.
“Smells of wine, bergamot and oud always remind me of Thanksgiving. With my extended family living abroad, I usually spend the holidays with my husband and friends. We enjoy sipping wine or tea, lighting candles and having long, cozy conversations,” shares Hannah of the team building event company. .
3. Red apple, cinnamon and nutmeg
Red apple, cinnamon and nutmeg combine to create a scent that is both warm and inviting, capturing the essence of freshly baked pies and seasonal foods. The crisp sweetness of the red apple pairs beautifully, reminiscent of cozy parties and holiday cheer.
“My favorite Thanksgiving scent is the rich, crisp aroma of red apples simmering with cinnamon and nutmeg,” she says. “It's like the perfect balance of sweet and spicy. The aroma evokes memories of biting into a fresh, juicy apple on a cool fall day, while the warmth of the spices wraps you around like a cozy sweater.”
4. Cranberry, Clove and Pecan Pie
The tartness of the cranberry adds a bright, fresh note balanced by the warm, spicy depth of the clove and the nutty, caramel-like aroma of the pecan pie. Together, they evoke the comforting, nostalgic feeling of a holiday table filled with seasonal flavors and family traditions.
“I love the special blend of cranberry, spiced cloves and sweet pecan pie—my Thanksgiving table favorites rolled into one unique candle,” said Sarah Chait, director of marketing.
5. cloves and ginger
clove is a warm, aromatic spice with a rich, sweet and slightly bitter taste, while ginger adds a delicious, spicy kick with its fresh, peppery notes. Together, they create a relaxing and uplifting scent that's perfect for Thanksgiving.
“My favorite scents for Thanksgiving are cloves and ginger,” she says . “They're not your average condiments, they take the warm and cozy atmosphere to a whole new level.”
6. Coffee and sandalwood
Coffee and sandalwood combine to create a rich, grounded scent that is both energizing and soothing.
French lifestyle brand shares, “Our favorite Thanksgiving scent is a unique blend of coffee and sandalwood. Every Saturday morning, after a basketball game in the park, we step into a coffee shop where the air is mixed with the rich aroma of freshly brewed coffee and the warm, spicy notes of sandalwood. This earthy, comforting combination reminds us of Thanksgiving, when cozy parties and bold, familiar scents fill the air, offering both comfort and the thrill of something a little unexpected as the start of a perfect holiday season.
7. Cranberry forests
Cranberries have a tart, slightly sweet scent that is refreshing and bright with their crisp, fruity aroma.
“Cranberry Woods perfectly balances fruity and tart notes with a fresh, green touch, reminiscent of the classic cranberry sauce I last saved for Thanksgiving dinner. Lighting the Cranberry Woods candle after all the food is done adds the finishing touch to a day of celebration and family,” said owner Sierra.
8. Delicious orange
The zesty orange has a lively, sharp scent that is both refreshing and invigorating, brightening the air.
notes, “Our favorite scent for Thanksgiving is a zesty orange, surprising yet perfectly suited for the season of togetherness. The bright, citrus scent brings a fresh twist to the traditional warmth that symbolizes the joy and energy of family gatherings.”
9. Pumpkin
Pumpkin has a warm, earthy scent with sweet and slightly spicy undertones, making it a great fragrance for fall and Thanksgiving.
“My favorite fall scent is pumpkin because it reminds me of a cold night and the orange and red leaves of fall.” where every candle is based on fairy tales, mythology and books.
Pumpkin pie
The The team notes, “After long, rewarding service-based days at the desk or on the road, pumpkin pie signals a moment to relax, reconnect, and savor the simple joys of the season. It's a comforting reminder that home is where the heart and the cake are.”
“Pumpkin pie is the perfect after-dinner treat because the warming spices and the crisp feel of the pastry crust are comforting” .
Pumpkin spice
shares, “Pumpkin Spice is a great fall scent that fills the air with warm notes of cinnamon, nutmeg, and cloves, evoking memories of happy Thanksgiving gatherings. It captures the cozy essence of the season, reminding me of baking fresh pumpkin pies and memorable family moments around the table.”
“Nothing says Thanksgiving like a warm embrace of pumpkin spice, nutmeg and cloves—a scent that envelops you like a cozy blanket. For me, it brings back memories of a kitchen where every meal is prepared with love and fills both the heart and the home with a smile.” .
10. Pomander and palo santo
Pomander and palo santo create a unique, aromatic blend that is both uplifting and grounding. The sweet, citrus aroma of pomander, often made with orange and cloves, pairs beautifully with the woody, smoky scent of palo santo.
“One of our favorite scents during the Thanksgiving season is pomander and palo santo,” she said. “It captures the heat of the holidays with a blend of spicy citrus and soothing woody notes, reminiscent of a holiday pot simmering on a wood stove.”
11. Nutmeg
Nutmeg has a warm, slightly sweet and spicy aroma, a rich, comforting scent often associated with holiday baking.
“Nutmeg is my favorite Thanksgiving scent. I love its warm, spicy aroma, as the warm, freshly baked apple pie smells like freshly grated nutmeg. It's a scent that always brings a smile to my face and fills my heart with gratitude,” he shares. .
12. Vanilla almond
Vanilla Almond has a smooth, sweet aroma that combines the creamy warmth of vanilla with the rich, nutty scent of almonds.
notes, “My favorite scent during the Thanksgiving season is vanilla almond. I put these warm sweet scents together because they remind me of the vanilla pound cake my mom always makes during the holiday season.”
13. Amber
Amber has a warm, resinous scent with earthy, sweet and slightly musky tones and creates a relaxing atmosphere.
“One of my favorite smells around Thanksgiving is the smell of amber and candles,” she says. . “When I was in Ohio, the spiciness of the deserts against the spicy turkey always blended so well with the golden resins of the amber scent. It also reflected the beautiful colors that surround us during this time as the leaves begin to turn towards winter.”
14. Creme brulee
Crème brûlée combines the pleasant aromas of vanilla cream and caramelized sugar.
“Crème brûlée captures the spirit of meetings in a delicious way. Infused with hints of sugar and aromas of pumpkin and maple pecan – it's like treating yourself to a warm dessert fresh out of the oven, filling the room with a sweet and nutty aroma complemented by just the right touch of spice.” .
15. Sage
Sage has a fresh, earthy scent with herbal and slightly peppery notes and creates a cleansing atmosphere.
“Thanksgiving is my favorite holiday and the scent that reminds me of it most is sage,” Melissa Mroczek said. . “Why sage? Because it's the main ingredient in the cornbread my mom always made growing up, and it's one of the fresh herbs we use in our turkey (I'm cooking it right now).
16. Sweet amber and vanilla
Sweet amber and vanilla combine to create a warm, soothing fragrance with the perfect balance of rich, resinous sweetness and creamy smoothness.
The first thing that comes to mind during the Thanksgiving season is the thought of gathering with loved ones. When creating ambiance, we love sweet amber and vanilla to add warmth to our space with notes of woody cashmere and vanilla, with just a touch of sweetness to complete the profile,” say Bretton and Ryan. .
17. Teakwood
Teakwood has a rich, warm and earthy scent with deep, woody notes that are both complex and relaxing.
“My favorite Thanksgiving scent is Burmese teak, which brings back a childhood memory of my dad's office,” she shares. . “I look forward to every family coming back to that room on Thanksgiving and spending quality time with it. A masculine-sounding yet perfectly balanced subtle aromatic blend including juniper berries, vetiver, verbena, peppercorns, tobacco leaves, teak, labdanum, sandalwood and amber with deep notes of teakwood and tobacco.
18. Cardamom and smoked incense
Cardamom and smoked frankincense create a seductive, aromatic blend that's both spicy and earthy.
states, “Cardamom and smoked frankincense are my favorite things about Thanksgiving – they capture the warmth and richness of the holiday with their aromatic notes. Hints of pimento berries, plum blossom, and dark chocolate are reminiscent of the decadent flavors we enjoy at the Thanksgiving table.
19. Apple and cinnamon
Apple and cinnamon combine to create a sweet, spicy aroma that's both comforting and nostalgic.
“Being originally from France, Thanksgiving is a new tradition for me, but the smell of apples and cinnamon always reminds me of this time of year,” says the gift shop and art gallery. .
20. Apple juice donut
The apple cider donut has a warm, spicy aroma with notes of sweet, fruity apple and cinnamon, complemented by the rich, doughy smell of freshly baked doughnuts.
of Alicia confirms, “My favorite Thanksgiving scent is apple cider donut.
Imagine the warm, comforting aroma of a freshly baked apple cider donut wafting through the air—a scent that combines the crispness of apple orchards with the comforting spices of cinnamon and nutmeg. The apple cider donut scent feels like a cozy fall hug, bringing brisk autumn days, golden leaves and the first bite to something sweet and soft.”
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