Iconic Christmas Movies and What They Smell Like

Christmas movies have a unique way of transporting us to magical worlds, evoking nostalgia, and kindling the warmth of the holiday spirit. While these films captivate our eyes and ears, have you ever wondered what they might smell like? Dive into this imaginative journey as we explore some of the most beloved Christmas classics and whimsically describe the scents that might waft from their scenes, adding another sensory layer to our festive favorites.

1. It's a Wonderful Life (1946)

This movie smells like freshly fallen snow, old books, and the warm scent of a crackling fireplace.

Scent your home with Winter Noir, filled with notes of freshly fallen snow, Nordic pines, and citrus fruits.

2. A Christmas Story (1983)

Although there are many scents around A Christmas Story, it actually smells like pine trees, chilled winter air, and a hint of gunpowder from a Red Ryder BB gun.

Scent your home with Winter Frost by Archipelago, filled with notes of sparkling citrus, white birch, and wintry, frost-covered forest.

3. Home Alone (1990)

OK, you filthy animal. I'll give you ‘til the count of ten to watch this movie in a new way—it might not smell like macaroni and cheese at 9 p.m., but the scent of a fresh shave and a crisp winter’s morning bring it to life.

One of our favorite scents, White Bergamot by Studio McGee, has notes of bergamot and cedarwood (reminiscent of the famous aftershave scene), with the perfect touch of a magical winter wonderland.

4. Elf (2003)

"I'm in love, I'm in love, and I don't care who knows it!" Let’s talk about the scent of Elf, filled with sweet maple syrup, candy canes, and the bustling streets of New York City.

Scent your home with White Maple Bourbon by LAFCO with notes of sugary maple syrup and warm vanilla.

5. The Polar Express (2004)

Like a flying carpet on a rail, this movie takes you to new heights when it comes to different scents—get whisked away to the North Pole with hot cocoa, the cold metal of a train, and the frosty aroma of the North Pole.

Scent your home with Ski Trip by Homesick with notes of hot cocoa, candy canes, and the rush of a cold winter’s breeze.

 

6. National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation (1989)

Christmas lights and the boisterous sound of family seems like a perfect vacation, but imagining the scent is what ties it all together—freshly-cut pine tree, roasted turkey, and the electric scent of too many Christmas lights.

Scent your home with Thymes Frasier Fir to recreate the scent of Christmas trees that are too big for your living room.

7. Love Actually (2003)

Before he was killing zombies on The Walking Dead, Andrew Lincoln was wooing hearts with the scent of English tea, the cold London air, and the warm embrace of a loved one.

Bring the smell of England and the scent of English tea and citrus to your home with Pura's White Tea No. 1. 

8. The Nightmare Before Christmas (1993)

Jack the Pumpkin King might be evil looking, but he makes one of the best Santa's of all-time. But that movie smells of different scents, but pumpkin spice, graveyard mist, and the sweet scent of Christmas cookies are leaders of the pack.

Scent your home just like Halloween Town with Disney's Jack the Pumpkin King fragrance.  

9. Miracle on 34th Street (1994)

An iconic movie is a young girl pulling on Santa's beard in a telling tale that smells of department store perfume, Santa's beard, and the crisp pages of a legal document.

The Met Perfume Immortelle brings the scent of NYC alive just like the movie "Miracle on 34th Street."

10. White Christmas (1954)

We're all dreaming of a white christmas, especially with the scent of theater curtains, fresh Vermont snow, and the comforting aroma of a holiday feast.

Bring home a white Christmas today with a scent by Illume called Winter White.

11. Scrooged (1988)

The musty air of a TV studio, ghostly chills, and the warm embrace of redemption.

Bring the scent of Scrooged without having to go through all of the different times in your life with Studio McGee's Winter Bayberry scent. 

12. The Santa Clause (1994)

Freshly baked cookies at the North Pole, the leather of Santa's suit, and the crispness of a legal clause.

In order to bring the scent of The Santa Clause to life at your home, you need Thymes Gingerbread scent. 

13. A Charlie Brown Christmas (1965)

The woody scent of a small Christmas tree, the ink of a comic strip, and the warmth of a child's blanket.

Bring the scent of fresh linen to your home while you cuddle with your favorite blanket just like Linus does with Thymes Washed Linen fragrance by Pura.

14. How the Grinch Stole Christmas (2000)

The cold, crisp air of Mount Crumpit, the sweet scent of Whoville feasts, and a hint of a changed, warm heart.

This scent by Abbott called Big Sky, may not be Mount Crumpit, but it will bring the crisp, mountain scent to your home while you watch this holiday favorite. 

15. The Muppet Christmas Carol (1992)

Victorian London streets, the softness of Muppet fur, and the pages of a Dickensian tale.

Nothing smells more like a Muppet in the era of Charles Dickens than Tobacco & Patchouli with the feelings of nostalgia and wistfulness, our Paddywax Tobacco & Patchouli  scent has hints of cinnamon and caramelly tobacco. 

16. Die Hard (1988)

Yippie Ki-Yay Pura Lovers (While debated as a Christmas movie) Die Hard smells of Gunpowder, the cold steel of Nakatomi Plaza, and the subtle hint of a festive party.

The perfect scent for this movie is K. Hall Designs Holiday Spice scent that has smoky notes of incense like the plaza that blows up, and cranberry just like the party.

17. Gremlins (1984)

The mysterious aroma of a mogwai, popcorn from a movie theater, and the electric buzz of mischievous creatures.

With our "The Smell of Christmas by Aromatique, it brings the comforting notes of hot chocolate, marshmallow, and salted popcorn. The only scents you need while watching Gremlins. Just don't scent after midnight. 

18. Frosty the Snowman (1969)

Freshly packed snow, the magic of a silk hat, and the fleeting scent of winter's magic.

You too can be an old jolly soul, with the scent of Votivo Icy Blue Pine making your home smell like you just transported to the land of Frosty the Snowman. 

As we wrap up this aromatic adventure through cinematic Christmas landscapes, it's evident that movies have the power to evoke more than just visual and auditory memories. By imagining the scents of these holiday classics, we're reminded of the rich tapestry of experiences that make the festive season so special. So, the next time you settle down with a Christmas movie, let your imagination roam and see if you can conjure up the delightful fragrances of the holiday spirit.