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Christmas essential oils: how to create your own festive blends

Home comfort, coziness, aromatherapy. Cozy interior with knitting, burning candles and aroma perfume diffuser in the living room. Fall scent, sweet pumpkin pie fragrance, dry leaves, autumn mood
Fancy using essential oils to make your space smell more Christmassy? Then check out these fabulously festive essential oil blends to mix at home

Our top picks

4-5 hours continuous mist mode

Tisserand Aroma Spa Diffuser
4.38

Tisserand

Tisserand Aroma Spa Diffuser

Buy 1 Get 1 Half Price

£43.00

Creating real moments of calm

B Calm Aroma Diffuser

B Calm

B Calm Aroma Diffuser

£89.00

Releases micro-fine aromatic mist

Beurer Aroma Diffuser La 40
4.8

Beurer

Beurer Aroma Diffuser La 40

£38.99

RRP £49.99

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There’s something wonderfully nostalgic about Christmas scents. From warming cinnamon to fresh fir, the right fragrance can help create that festive feel on cold winter days. We’ve conjured up some essential oil scent blends to make at home and pop in your diffuser for a little extra festive magic. Eggnog, mulled wine, a walk in the woods or something else... what’s your vibe?

How to make your own Christmas scents using festive essential oils

Now for the best bit – some Christmas fragrances you can whip up to get in the festive spirit or even give as homemade gifts. These blends are NOT edible, but some of them do smell good enough to eat...

1. Gingerbread

5 drops ginger

4 drops clove bud

2 drops nutmeg

2 drops cinnamon

 

2. Christmas Tree

6 drops fir needle

3 drops cypress or spruce

1 drop orange

2 drops nutmeg

 

3. Eggnog

8 drops nutmeg

2 drops vanilla

1 drop cinnamon

1 drop black pepper (optional)

 

4. Cinnamon and Spice

2 drops sweet orange

1 drop cinnamon

1 drop clove bud

1 drop ginger

 

5. Mulled Wine

3 drops orange

3 drops mandarin

3 drops clove bud

1 drop cinnamon

 

6. Cinnamon Orange Tea

5 drops orange

3 drops cinnamon

 

7. Spiced Chai

5 drops cardamom

3 drops cinnamon

2 drops clove bud

1 drop ginger

1 drop aniseed (optional)

 

8. A Walk in the Woods

4 drops frankincense

4 drops fir needle

4 drops cedarwood

* Pure essential oils should never be applied directly and undiluted to the scalp, skin or in a bath as it can lead to irritation, burns and skin damage. Please dilute properly, read warnings and follow instructions provided on the product label carefully before use. Always keep out of reach of children, read warnings on labels and follow directions for use.

 

Essential oil diffusers: our top picks

Ultrasonic diffusers mix your chosen essential oil with water to create a fine, scented mist. They then they spritz this fragrance into the air in short bursts to keep your room smelling great. In short, they do all the hard work for you. Just plug them in, add some water and let your new scent fill your space. You’ll find a few of our favourites below...

Some diffuser brands recommend you use their specific essential oils, so check the label and instructions before choosing a diffuser or using your Christmas blend.

Tisserand Aroma Spa Diffuser

Tisserand

£43.00

£43.00/1 Item
B Calm Aroma Diffuser

B Calm

£89.00

£89.00/1 Unit
Beurer Aroma Diffuser La 40

Beurer

RRP £49.99

£38.99

£38.99/1 Item

Festive essential oils FAQs

What essential oils smell like Christmas?

If you’re looking for a warming and spicy scent, essential oils like cinnamon, ginger, clove and nutmeg are ideal – mix them with vanilla or orange for extra sweetness or to remind you of your favourite Christmas baking. No tree this year, but you still want the scent? For a fresh ‘winter wonderland’ feel, try oils like fir needle, cypress or spruce oils.

 

How long do homemade essential oil blends last?

There’s no exact rule on how long essential oil blends last – it depends on each type of oil and the way it’s been processed. However, general advice states that essential oils begin to lose their freshness six months to a few years after opening.1,2 Check the packaging on the individual essential oils and carrier oils you use for more specific information.

 

Are essential oils safe to use around pets at Christmas?

Many essential oils and home fragrances aren’t safe to use around pets, so you should steer clear to be on the safe side.3,4 This includes using them in diffusers as it can still be harmful for animals to breathe in certain fragrances.

 

What's the best carrier oil to use for diluting essential oils?

Some good carrier oils include coconut, jojoba, sweet almond, avocado and argan oils. This is because they have a fairly neutral scent and are usually safe to apply directly to the body. You must always use a carrier oil if you’re applying essential oils (for example, for fragrance or massage).

 

The final say

Creating your own essential oil blends for Christmas isn’t just a fun craft activity – it'll upgrade your home’s festive feel too. As with all essential oils, use them according to the relevant safety guidance and product instructions, taking particular care around children, pets and anyone who may be sensitive to fragrances. Want more gift ideas to pamper that special someone? Take a peek at our top Christmas gifts for spa lovers. Or if you’d rather treat yourself, check out what’s in the 2026 H&B Beauty Advent Calendar...

Disclaimer – This article provides informational advice and is not a substitute for medical care. Working with experts for accuracy, we take great care to ensure the information is up-to-date and relevant. However, you should always consult your GP or healthcare professional before using supplements or alternative products, particularly if you have medical conditions or are under supervision.

Pure essential oils should never be applied directly and undiluted to the scalp/skin or bath as it can lead to irritation, burns and skin damage. Please dilute properly, read warnings and follow instructions provided on the product label carefully before use.

Sources

1 NHS Milton Keynes University Hospital. Complementary Therapies in Maternity Care [Internet]. NHS Milton Keynes University Hospital [reviewed 2024 Mar 1; cited 2026 Sep 22]. Available from: https://www.mkuh.nhs.uk/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/Complementary-Therapies-in-Maternity-Care-1-1.pdf

2 NHS Scotland. Aromatherapy Guidelines for Midwifery Practice [Internet]. NHS Scotland [reviewed 2024 Sep 30; cited 2026 Sep 22]. Available from: https://www.rightdecisions.scot.nhs.uk/nhs-borders-clinical-guidelines/obstetrics-gynaecology/maternity/antenatal/aromatherapy-guideline-for-midwifery-practice/

3 RSPCA. How to keep your pets safe from Christmas dangers [Internet]. RSPCA [cited 2026 Sep 22]. Available from: https://www.rspca.org.uk/adviceandwelfare/seasonal/christmas

4 RSPCA South Australia. Keeping your pet safe this festive season [Internet]. RSPCA South Australia [reviewed 2024 Nov 18; cited 2026 Sep 22]. Available from: https://www.rspcasa.org.au/keeping-your-pet-safe-this-festive-season/

 
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