There’s nothing cozier than a winter night, snuggling under a chunky blanket with a holiday movie playing and a seasonal candle burning. Is there anything wrong with this picture? For me, my allergies and asthma make it really hard to enjoy candles even though I love the scent. Whether it’s allergies, asthma, environmental conflicts, or you simply don’t like candles, here are some alternatives to candles which still keep the holiday spirit.
Essential oils
Aromatherapy is known to have health benefits and essential oils are a great, natural alternative to candles. They can help to reduce stress, ease anxiety, or induce sleep. Peppermint essential oil is great for a holiday scent. Essential oils can also be mixed and matched to create recipes. To make a winter themed scent, mix three drops of peppermint, two drops of wintergreen, and one drop of wild orange. Buy a diffuser in order to get the whole room smelling good.
Wax warmer
A similar alternative to an oil diffuser is a wax warmer. If you aren’t familiar with wax warmers, the machine produces heat in order to melt wax cubes which will create a pleasant aroma. Unlike candles, wax warmers are flame free and don’t produce soot. They are generally considered healthier and more environmentally friendly compared to candles. Two cubes of wax will last about 16 hours. Keep in mind that it is still not recommended to leave one unattended or overnight. Also be aware that you need to clean out wax warmers after every wax melt. Wax cubes come in all types of seasonal scents if you want your place to smell like a christmas tree or gingerbread cookies.
Room spray
Sometimes your space may get a little musty or stale and it needs a little refresher. Room sprays are a great choice for this scenario. I don’t recommend this for anyone who has allergies or asthma because room sprays can sometimes be suffocating when used too much. Room sprays come in a large range of scents and the holiday brings a lot of seasonal editions. They also come in handy for the bathroom, if you catch my drift.
Stovetop potpourri
Stovetop potpourri is perfect for any DIY enthusiast. This option also is a natural method to get your place smelling nice. All you’ll need is a pot of ingredients and water simmering on the stovetop. There are a bunch of recipes online for winter stovetop potpourris. A great choice is cinnamon sticks, orange, fresh rosemary, raw cranberries, and dried anise seed pods. Since this method leans on natural ingredients, you will be able to create scents that synthetic candles cannot produce. This is a great choice for anyone who enjoys a more organic, earthy smell.
Flameless candles
If you want to avoid the trouble of open flames, but you yearn for the atmosphere a candle provides, try out a flameless candle. Flameless candles typically don’t emit any smell, but there are some scented versions. You can also pair them with any of the options mentioned above. They only require batteries or electricity, but still create that cozy aesthetic people crave for in the winter season.
Trust me, I know it’s hard to beat the traditional scented candle. Some people just have limiting factors that prevent them from using candles. Environmental issues also can conflict people’s wants to use candles. People can also have anxieties over open flames whether this be fears of burning the house down or a child getting hurt. No matter what the reason is, there are always alternatives and I hope one of these options helps.
