Feeling festive? Discover our expert guide for combining and layering the perfect combination of interior fragrances to create the perfect cosy ambiance

When the temperature starts to drop, do you suddenly get cravings to drink chai-spiced lattes and nibble on chestnuts whilst curled up next to a cosy, crackling, fire? In the same way, it feels wrong to eat a roast dinner on a hot sunny day, an apple and cinnamon scented candle may seem out of place during summer too. We need to satisfy our cravings for seasonal scents just as much as festive snacks. Here’s our guide to all things fragrance and how to turn your home into an aromatic wonderland this festive period. 

Seasonal Scents 

Whereas summer is all about fresh, fruity, and floral fragrances, winter is the time to transport yourself into a warm and cosy retreat. We need to pick scents that conjure feelings of cuddling up in front of the fire with a sumptuous hot chocolate in hand. Our Private Collection’s newest addition, The Comfort Collection is the perfect way to pamper your senses this season with Suede Vanilla, Cotton Blossom or Smooth Violet. These cosy, comforting scents will transform your surroundings into a welcoming retreat for you, your family, and your friends this winter. The new Comfort Collection, within The Private Collection, has been specially formulated by the world’s best perfumers to elevate the senses making it the perfect accompaniment to your warming winter nights. 

For a relaxing candle moment, light the Smooth Violet candle, combining fruity accents with floral elements like rose and violet leaf. Sandalwood and discreet notes of patchouli, musk and amber bring warmth to the fragrance, which will envelope your home with calmness and tranquillity.  

For an immediate feeling of luxury, spritz our new Cotton Blossom parfum d’interieur for ultimate peace of mind.  

Include a variety of scent sources

When scenting your home, it’s all about adding different layers. If you usually light just a few candles when your guests come over, there’s a world of different scent sources to discover. Layering different aromas over one another can create a symphony of scents, perfect for making that festive gathering feel extra special.

Fragrance sticks are the perfect low maintenance product that provide consistent aroma. Placing your favourite Rituals fragrance sticks in the hallway will create that ‘welcome home’ feeling for both you and your guests.

Unlike fragrance sticks, you want to keep an eye on your candles. Not only do they provide a strong scent but the flickering flame will add to the ambience. Grouping different sized candles can add a nice focus point and add some dynamic to the room. If you don’t have a fireplace, our XL candles from the Private Collection are a great way to create that cosy festive feeling.

If you’ve been slaving over the stove making a slap-up meal, sometimes those garlic and onion odours have a tendency to wander through the house and linger. Home fragrance sprays are the perfect way to balance out the smells of cooking. Inspired by the green notes of vetiver and zesty lemon, the crisp and lively fragrance of Savage Garden Parfum D’interieur is ideal for cutting though kitchen smells. Before your guests arrive, a few quick sprays in every room will be a welcome like no other.

If you’re ready to take your home fragrance to the next level, get yourself a perfume diffuser. The Perfume Genie is a unique fragrance experience that allows you to remotely control its schedule and intensity. Perfume cartridges come in all your favourite Rituals scents. Try our aromatic  Black Oudh, the deep oriental and woody notes of oudh combine beautifully with rich spices and powdery patchouli to create a scent with a distinctive character for those colder evenings. The genie can also be linked to your Wi-Fi, so you can control it by voice command. Quite the party trick!  

Work with colour

Of course, the main reason we choose to put candles or fragrance sticks in our homes is to enjoy the aromas, but they can also be a great way to add a pop of colour to a room. To add to the festive décor, our Sweet Jasmine and Cotton Blossom candles are housed in a metallic pot, making them the ideal accompaniment to your festive decorations.  

The Savage Garden fragrance sticks, in both regular and mini size, add a clean and sophisticated white aesthetic to your interior, ideal for a bathroom or kitchen. 

Pick a different scent for different rooms

If you just have one scent throughout the house, it can be like wearing the same perfume every day - you stop smelling it. Varying the aromas between different rooms creates that ‘wow’ feeling when you walk through the house. Have a think about what scent belongs where. Sweet or citrus scents go well in a kitchen, try The Ritual of Mehr fragrance sticks for a fresh and fruity burst or fool your guests into thinking you’ve been baking by lighting a The Ritual of Ayurveda candle with its delicious scent of sweet almond oil and Himalayan honey. A small candle is always nice in the bathroom, try The Ritual of Hammam to create an at-home spa vibe.