{"id":5043,"date":"2022-12-19T09:03:18","date_gmt":"2022-12-19T15:03:18","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.cooking2thrive.com\/blog\/?p=5043"},"modified":"2022-12-19T09:03:20","modified_gmt":"2022-12-19T15:03:20","slug":"smells-of-the-holidays","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.cooking2thrive.com\/blog\/smells-of-the-holidays\/","title":{"rendered":"Smells of the Holidays"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

What are your favorite smells of\nthe holidays? Smell can be a strong memory trigger. Sometimes those\nassociations feel odd. Other times they feel familiar and comforting. Researchers\nhave explored which scents are calming. I want to explore those that feel\nfestive.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

One reason I prefer real trees at\nChristmas is the delicious smell of pine, cedar, or fir filling the house with\nfreshness. Through the years, I\u2019ve cut my own pine and cedar trees on the farm.\nPro tip:<\/strong> Choose size carefully. Trees look smaller outside than when you put\nthem inside your house. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"cinnamon<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Orange and cinnamon remind me of the\nwarmth of family and mulled cider. I grew up about 30 miles away from several\napple orchards that sold incredible cider. We stocked up in the fall. When the\nholidays arrived, it was time to add spices and enjoy it warm. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The aroma of mulled cider always\nreminds me of fun family get togethers. Pro tip:<\/strong> You don\u2019t have to like\ncider to enjoy these smells. You don\u2019t need to include apple at all. Put water,\norange peel, cinnamon sticks, and whole cloves in a pan. Bring to a boil and\nsimmer to create a festive holiday scent.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Cinnamon rolls also remind me of\nthe holidays. Our Christmas meal was always breakfast instead of dinner. Most\nyears, we had biscuits. But on special years, we made cinnamon rolls. I\u2019ve also\ngiven cinnamon rolls as Christmas gifts. The smell of warm bread and cinnamon\nfeels friendly and inviting. Pro tip:<\/strong> Use regular biscuit dough (or\ncanned biscuits) to make last minute cinnamon rolls. Roll the dough out in strips,\nbrush with melted butter, sprinkle with sugar & cinnamon, then roll back up\nand bake. Top with a mixture of powdered sugar, milk (or water), vanilla, and a\nsqueeze of lemon.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The smell of chocolate pairs well with the house\u2019s holiday perfume of cedar, orange, and cinnamon! Hot chocolate and chocolate chip cookies are both favorites in my family. I love break-apart chocolate oranges<\/a> too. Pro tip:<\/strong> If you don\u2019t have time to mix gluten-free cookie batter, use pre-portioned gluten-free chocolate chunk cookie dough<\/a> available online and through local grocery stores.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Peppermint is a smell I enjoy all\nyear, but I often indulge in different ways when the holidays arrive. Peppermint\nice cream, peppermint milkshakes, peppermint bark, peppermint pretzel bark \u2013\nthere are so many wonderful products featured this time of year! Pro tip:<\/strong>\nUse peppermint herb tea to settle your tummy. Drink it hot or keep a pitcher of\nit in the refrigerator to drink cold.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The holiday season fills the\nsenses with bright lights, familiar carols, favorite recipes, and warm hugs. It\ncan also fill the air with aromas that bring wonderful memories rushing back!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Stop and Smell the Memories<\/a><\/blockquote>