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The holidays are a time for gathering, warm welcomes, and sweet memories. And one of the most powerful ways to set the mood? Scent.

Smell is closely tied to emotion and memory, which means the fragrances you bring into your home become part of the moments your guests remember–whether you’re hosting a cozy dinner, a festive party, or a quiet night with family.

At Sunnyside, we love helping you create environments that feel intentional, inviting, and truly you. As you prepare for the season ahead, here are five beautiful and natural ways to create your home’s signature holiday scent.

1. Create a Scent Story with Candles, Soaps & Diffusers

One of the most effortless ways to create a cohesive scent experience is through fragrance layering. Choose a single holiday-inspired scent and repeat it throughout your home with:

• Candles
• Countertop soaps
• Reed diffusers

This repetition reinforces the fragrance in the brain, creating a warm, memorable atmosphere without overwhelming the senses. Look for notes like fir, cedar, amber, rosemary, clove, or spiced citrus for a nostalgic holiday feel.

2. Simmer Pots: Natural Holiday Aroma

A simmer pot is one of the simplest ways to fill your home with nostalgic holiday fragrance, no candle required! This recipe blends citrus, spice, and fresh greenery for a cozy, unmistakably festive aroma.

You’ll Need:

From Sunnyside:

• Rosemary
• Incense cedar or evergreen tips
• Seeded eucalyptus

From your kitchen:

• 1 orange, sliced
• A handful of cranberries
• Cinnamon sticks
• A splash of vanilla extract

How to Make It:

1. Fill a pot ¾ full with water.
2. Add citrus, spices, rosemary, evergreens, and eucalyptus.
3. Bring to a gentle boil, then reduce to a low simmer.
4. Add water as needed.
5. Refrigerate and re-simmer for up to three days.

This blend layers cozy evergreen, warm spice, and bright citrus—your whole home will smell like a holiday memory in the making.

3. Fresh Greenery: Wreaths, Garlands & Branches

Few things smell as instantly festive as fresh evergreens. Displaying greenery indoors is a natural, elegant way to scent your home during the holiday season.

Try adding:

• Wreaths on doors or walls
• Garland along a mantle or banister
• Loose stems of cedar, incense cedar, or juniper tucked into vases

And for a subtle boost, tuck in:

• Dried orange slices
• Cinnamon sticks
• Fresh rosemary or sage

Your greenery becomes both decor and a fragrant welcome.

4. Use Greens & Herbs in Indoor Arrangements

Bring natural fragrance into the heart of your home with fresh arrangements, whether it’s a table centerpiece or a small accent on your nightstand.

Great aromatic additions include:

• Rosemary
• Sage
• Thyme
• Cedar and juniper sprigs

These not only smell incredible but also create a layered, organic look that pairs beautifully with holiday decor. Choose mini arrangements for tabletops or style a few larger centerpieces to carry scent from room to room.

5. Paperwhites & Holiday Bulbs

For a soft, elegant, living fragrance, nothing beats paperwhite bulbs. These indoor-forced bulbs produce charming white blooms with a sweet scent that fills the room.

They’re:

• Easy to grow indoors
• Beautiful for winter windowsills
• A lovely hostess or holiday gift
• A fun, rewarding way to bring something new to life during the coldest months

How to Grow Paperwhite Bulbs

1. Nestle bulbs in soil or pebbles with tops exposed
2. Add water just to the base of the bulbs (not covering them)
3. Place in a bright, cool area until growth starts, then move to warmer light
4. Enjoy fragrant blooms in 4-6 weeks!

Their delicate fragrance is unmistakably festive and a perfect finishing touch to your holiday home.

Create Your Signature Scent with Sunnyside

From fresh evergreens and fragrant herbs to candles, bulbs, and curated seasonal decor, Sunnyside Gardens has everything you need to make your home smell (and feel) like the holidays.

Stop by the greenhouse for inspiration, guidance, and seasonal finds that make every gathering a little more magical. Let’s make this holiday season one your guests will remember long after they’ve gone home.