20 Thanksgiving Scents to Welcome the Holiday
As the holiday season approaches, there’s no better way to set the mood for Thanksgiving than with scents that evoke the warmth, comfort, and joy of the season. From the comforting aroma of freshly baked pies to the earthy richness of fall spices, the right fragrances can instantly transform your home into a festive haven.
Whether you’re hosting a large family gathering in your apartment in Allentown, PA, or enjoying a quiet meal in your home in Lakewood, NJ, these 20 Thanksgiving scents will fill your space with cozy, inviting aromas that create the perfect ambiance for celebrating gratitude, tradition, and togetherness.
1. Cedarwood, sandalwood, cinnamon, nutmeg and amber-woody
Cedarwood and sandalwood are earthy, grounding wood notes, known for their warm, rich, and slightly sweet aromas. Cinnamon and nutmeg bring warm, spicy, and aromatic tones, adding a cozy, festive touch, while amber-woody is a deep, resinous note that enhances the blend with a hint of smooth sweetness.
Siren Boutique states, “The rich blend of cedarwood, sandalwood, and spicy cinnamon, wrapped in a warm nutmeg and amber-woody base, evokes memories of cozy gatherings, crackling fires, and the comforting aromas of the season. It’s like lighting a piece of nostalgia that fills the room with the warmth and heart of the holidays.”
2. Wine, bergamot, and oud
Wine, bergamot, and oud is a sophisticated fragrance combination. Wine brings a rich, fruity depth, filled with dark berries or plums. Bergamot, a citrusy note with a hint of floral sharpness, brightens the blend. Oud, a deep, resinous wood scent, adds warmth, smokiness, and an exotic edge, creating a balanced blend that feels mysterious.
“The scents of wine, bergamot, and oud always remind me of Thanksgiving. With my extended family living abroad, I usually spend the holiday with my husband and friends. We enjoy sipping wine or tea, lighting candles, and having long, relaxed conversations,” shares Hanna from team building event company Spaciously.
3. Red apple, cinnamon, and nutmeg
Red apple, cinnamon, and nutmeg blend together to create a scent that is both warm and inviting, capturing the essence of freshly baked pies and seasonal treats. The crisp sweetness of red apple pairs beautifully, reminding of cozy gatherings and holiday cheer.
“My favorite Thanksgiving scent is the rich, crisp aroma of a red apple simmering with cinnamon and nutmeg,” remarks Kara Scott Candle Co. “It’s like the perfect balance of sweet and spice. The scent carries memories of biting into a fresh, juicy apple on a chilly autumn day, while the warmth of the spices wraps around you like a cozy sweater.”
4. Cranberry, clove, and pecan pie
The tartness of cranberry adds a bright, fresh note, which is balanced by the warm, spicy depth of clove and the nutty, caramel-like aroma of pecan pie. Together, they evoke the comforting, nostalgic feeling of a holiday table filled with seasonal flavors and family traditions.
“I love a custom blend of tart cranberry, spicy clove, and sweet pecan pie – a roundup of my favorites at the Thanksgiving table, in one unique candle,” raves Sarah Chait, director of marketing at Penn & Beech Candle Co.
5. Clove and ginger
Clove is a warm, aromatic spice with a rich, sweet, and slightly bitter flavor, while ginger adds a zesty, spicy kick with its fresh, peppery notes. Together, they create a comforting and invigorating scent that is perfect for Thanksgiving.
“My favorite scents for Thanksgiving season are clove and ginger,” states Pretty Honest Candles. “They are not your usual spices but elevate a warm and cozy atmosphere to a whole new level.”
6. Coffee and sandalwood
Coffee and sandalwood combine to create a rich, grounding scent that’s both energizing and soothing.
French lifestyle brand Lola James Harper shares, “Our favorite Thanksgiving scent is a unique blend of coffee and sandalwood. Every Saturday morning, after a basketball game at the park, we step into a coffee shop, where the air is filled with the rich aroma of freshly brewed coffee, mingling with the warm, spicy notes of sandalwood. This earthy, comforting combination reminds us of Thanksgiving, where cozy gatherings and bold, familiar scents fill the air, offering both comfort and the thrill of something just a little bit unexpected, much like the start of a perfect holiday season.”
7. Cranberry woods
Cranberry has a tart, slightly sweet fragrance that is refreshing and bright with its crisp, fruity aroma.
“Cranberry Woods perfectly balances fruity and tart notes with a fresh, green touch, reminiscent of the classic cranberry sauce I save for last during Thanksgiving dinner. Lighting up a Cranberry Woods candle after all the cooking is done adds the final touch to a day of celebration and family,” shares Sierra, owner of Heart Leaf Candle Co.
8. Zesty orange
Zesty orange has a vibrant, tangy fragrance that is both refreshing and uplifting, bringing a burst of brightness to the air.
Colugo Candles remarks, “For Thanksgiving, our favorite scent is zesty orange, a surprising but perfect fit for the season of togetherness. The bright, citrusy fragrance brings a fresh twist to traditional warmth, symbolizing the joy and energy of family gatherings.”
9. Pumpkin
Pumpkin has a warm, earthy scent with sweet and slightly spicy undertones, making it a quintessential fragrance for fall and Thanksgiving.
“My favorite fall scent is the pumpkin scent because it reminds me of the chilly night and the orange and red leaves of fall,” mentions Tales By The Candle, where each candle is based on fairy tales, mythology, and books.
Pumpkin pie
The LaundryWell Team notes, “After long, rewarding service-based days at the desk or on the road, pumpkin pie signals a moment to unwind, reconnect, and savor the simple joys of the season. It’s a comforting reminder that home is where the heart, and the pie, is.”
“Pumpkin pie is the perfect scent for after dinner, as the warming spices and pastry crust vibes are comfy cozy,” adds Edgewater Candles.
Pumpkin spice
Lumiescents shares, “Pumpkin spice is a quintessential fall fragrance, filling the air with warm notes of cinnamon, nutmeg, and clove that evoke memories of happy Thanksgiving gatherings. It captures the cozy essence of the season, reminding me of fresh pumpkin pies baking and memorable family moments around the table.”
“Nothing says Thanksgiving like the warm embrace of pumpkin spice, laced with a hint of nutmeg and cloves — it’s a scent that wraps around you like a cozy blanket. For me, it brings back memories of the kitchen alive with laughter, where every dish is made with love and fills both heart and home,” adds Enerlight Candle Co..
10. Pomander and palo santo
Pomander and palo santo create a unique, aromatic blend that is both uplifting and grounding. The sweet, citrusy fragrance of pomander, often made with oranges and cloves, combines beautifully with the woodsy, smoky scent of palo santo.
“One of our favorite scents during the Thanksgiving season is pomander and palo santo,” reveals Milwaukee Candle Co. “It captures the warmth of the holidays with its blend of spicy citrus and calming woodsy notes, reminiscent of a holiday pot simmering on a wood stove.”
11. Nutmeg
Nutmeg has a warm, slightly sweet, and spicy aroma, with a rich, comforting scent that’s often associated with holiday baking.
“Nutmeg is my go-to scent for the Thanksgiving season. I love its warm, spicy aroma as the scent of freshly grated nutmeg rises out of the warm, freshly baked apple pie. It is one scent that always brings a smile to my face and fills my heart with gratitude,” shares Our Oily House.
12. Vanilla almond
Vanilla almond has a smooth, sweet aroma that combines the creamy warmth of vanilla with the rich, nutty scent of almonds.
N Style Atlanta remarks, “My favorite scent during the Thanksgiving season is vanilla almond. I these warm sweet scents together because they remind me of my Mom’s vanilla pound cake that she always made during the holiday season.”
13. Amber
Amber has a warm, resinous fragrance with earthy, sweet, and slightly musky undertones, creating a cozy atmosphere.
“One of my favorite scents during Thanksgiving is the aroma of amber perfumes and candles,” says Stephan Matthews. “When I was in Ohio, the spiciness of the deserts against the ‘just out of the oven’ turkey always blended so wonderfully with the golden resins of an amber scent. It also mirrored the beautiful colors that surround us during this time, as the leaves begin to lean towards winter.”
14. Crème brûlée
Crème brûlée combines the indulgent scents of vanilla custard and caramelized sugar.
“Crème brûlée captures the spirit of get-togethers in a delightful way. Infused with scents of sugar and hints of pumpkin and maple pecan – it’s like treating yourself to a freshly baked warm dessert fresh out of the oven that fills the room with a sweet and nutty aroma complemented by just the right touch of spices,” raves Modern Zen Candle Company.
15. Sage
Sage has a fresh, earthy scent with herbal and slightly peppery notes, creating a cleansing atmosphere.
“Thanksgiving is my absolute favorite holiday, and the scent that reminds me of it the most is sage,” shares Melissa Mroczek of Nomad Wax. “Why sage? Because it’s a key ingredient in the cornbread stuffing that my mom always made growing up, and it’s one of the fresh herbs we use in the turkey (which I now get to cook).”
16. Sweet amber and vanilla
Sweet amber and vanilla combine to create a warm, soothing fragrance with a perfect balance of rich, resinous sweetness and creamy smoothness.
During the Thanksgiving season, the first thing that comes to mind for us is the thought of gathering with our loved ones. When creating ambiance, we love sweet amber and vanilla to incorporate the warmth into our space with notes of woody cashmere and vanilla, with just a touch of sweetness to round out the profile,” remarks Bretton and Ryan of Le Gaol.
17. Teakwood
Teakwood has a rich, warm, and earthy scent with deep, woody notes that are both sophisticated and comforting.
“My favorite Thanksgiving scent is Burmese teakwood, which reminds of a childhood memory of my father’s office,” shares Wooly Wax. “I anticipate returning to that room every family Thanksgiving and enjoying quality time with him. With deep notes of teakwood and tobacco, a masculine-sounding yet perfectly balanced blend of subtle aromatics including juniper berry, vetiver, verbena, peppercorn, tobacco leaves, teakwood, labdanum, sandalwood, and amber.”
18. Cardamom and smoked incense
Cardamom and smoked incense create a captivating, aromatic blend that is both spicy and earthy.
Harlem Candle Company states, “Cardamom and smoked incense is my absolute favorite during Thanksgiving—it captures the warmth and richness of the holiday with fragrance notes of. The hints of pimento berry, plum blossom, and dark chocolate bring to mind the decadent flavors that we indulge in at the Thanksgiving table.”
19. Apple and cinnamon
Apple and cinnamon combine to create a sweet, spicy fragrance that is both comforting and nostalgic.
“Since I am originally from France, Thanksgiving is a new tradition for me, but the smell of apple and cinnamon always reminds me of this time of year,” says gift store and art gallery Rare Device.
20. Apple cider donut
Apple cider donut has a warm, spiced fragrance with sweet, fruity notes of apple and cinnamon, complemented by the rich, doughy scent of freshly fried donuts.
Alicia of Linden Candle Company attests, “My favorite Thanksgiving scent is apple cider donut.
Imagine the warm, cozy aroma of a freshly baked apple cider donut wafting through the air — it’s a scent that combines the crispness of apple orchards with the comforting spices of cinnamon and nutmeg. Apple cider donut scent feels like a cozy autumn hug, bringing memories of brisk fall days, golden leaves, and that first bite into something sweet and soft.”
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