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Season's greetings! I hope everyone is in a joyful and festive holiday mood this year. I know this year has been rough, but we are still here...That is always something to be thankful for. Christmas is still Christmas, even if it's a bit different this year.
I usually don't do top 10s, but I love Christmas. The whole season is just my thing. Christmas lights, snow(which we have a lack of here), cold weather, hot chocolate, decorations, and everything else. I just love the aura that the holiday season creates.
I could probably write 50 paragraphs on why I love Christmas, but that is not what you are here for! So, here is my list of my favorite fragrances for Christmas. Enjoy!
Note: I have no sponsors or affiliations. Any links you see posted in this article do nothing for me. I simply tried to find you the best price on the fragrance.
Warning: This article does contain a reference or two to the Bible and the Christian side of Christmas. If that offends you, then please do not continue.
10. Amouage Interlude
Main Notes: Oregano, Opoponax, Frankincense, Agarwood Smoke, Amber, and Leather
Longevity: Very long-lasting(12+ hours)
Sillage: Massive for the first 5 hours
Projection: Massive for the first 4 hours, but it doesn't settle into a skin scent until around 9-10 hours in.
Value: Quite expensive, but worth it.
Purchase Link: Interlude
Amouage Interlude Man is one of the strongest fragrances on the market, even after it was reformulated. This smoky middle eastern bomb is a one spray fragrance for me. So, you may be asking how such a powerful fragrance makes it on my list. After all, you don't want to scare your family off for Christmas. Well, some of you might want to in order to dip into Santa's cookie jar, but most of us don't.
Interlude Man made my list because it's a relatively warm fragrance. The smokiness is from and center with a smoky and resinous sweet amber dry down. It's quite aggressive for the first two hours under the amber comes out and it mellows out into a more pleasant fragrance. The smokiness and resins just make me think of Christmas, like a fireplace burning with sweet and loving times with family. Not to mention, frankincense was a gift that the wise men gave to baby Jesus.
9. Burberry London
Main Notes: Tobacco, Cinnamon, and Leather
Longevity: Moderate(5-6 hours)
Sillage: Moderate for the first 3 hours
Projection: Moderate for 1 hour and soft for the rest of its life
Value: Very good value for its inexpensive price
Purchase Link: London
Burberry London seems to make almost everyone's list. A staple in every gentleman's collection, Burberry London smells of sweet pipe tobacco and port wine. Sometimes it can come off a bit piney like a Christmas tree or wet leaves in the fall. It seems to have the ability to harken up memories in people and that explains the love for this fragrance.
I wore London for Thanksgiving this year, but I don't rate it as highly as I used to, but it's still a very solid tobacco fragrance. Many people complain about the performance, but I think 6 hours is fine.
8. 4160 Tuesdays Shazam!
Longevity: Moderate(5-6 hours)
Sillage: Moderate for the first 3 hours
Projection: Moderate for 1 hour and soft for the rest of its life
Value: Very good value for its inexpensive price
Purchase Link: London
Burberry London seems to make almost everyone's list. A staple in every gentleman's collection, Burberry London smells of sweet pipe tobacco and port wine. Sometimes it can come off a bit piney like a Christmas tree or wet leaves in the fall. It seems to have the ability to harken up memories in people and that explains the love for this fragrance.
I wore London for Thanksgiving this year, but I don't rate it as highly as I used to, but it's still a very solid tobacco fragrance. Many people complain about the performance, but I think 6 hours is fine.
8. 4160 Tuesdays Shazam!
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Main Notes: Cedar, Olibanum, Frankincense, Cacao, Amber, and Cardamom
Longevity: Good(8+ hours)
Sillage: Strong for the first 3 hours.
Projection: Strong for 2 hours, then it gradually becomes a skin scent by the 6th hour.
Value: Very fairly priced for what you get.
Purchase Link: Shazam!
4160 Tuesdays was a company that surprised me with Sarah McCartney's sheer wit and creative approach to gourmand fragrances. Although she does far more than that, it seems to be her forte.
Shazam is a rich smoky and spicy fragrance that is cozy like a turtleneck sweater on a chilly night. Warm ambery facets join sweet balsamic cedar and smoky frankincense with a hint of aromatic citrus to keep it interesting. There is also a faint cacao note in the dry down that completes the imagery of sitting by a fireplace, in a cedar cabin, with a cup of hot chocolate. I will probably get a bottle of this when fall rolls around next year. It's an absolute delight to wear.
7. Gallagher Rose All Dae
Longevity: Good(8+ hours)
Sillage: Strong for the first 3 hours.
Projection: Strong for 2 hours, then it gradually becomes a skin scent by the 6th hour.
Value: Very fairly priced for what you get.
Purchase Link: Shazam!
4160 Tuesdays was a company that surprised me with Sarah McCartney's sheer wit and creative approach to gourmand fragrances. Although she does far more than that, it seems to be her forte.
Shazam is a rich smoky and spicy fragrance that is cozy like a turtleneck sweater on a chilly night. Warm ambery facets join sweet balsamic cedar and smoky frankincense with a hint of aromatic citrus to keep it interesting. There is also a faint cacao note in the dry down that completes the imagery of sitting by a fireplace, in a cedar cabin, with a cup of hot chocolate. I will probably get a bottle of this when fall rolls around next year. It's an absolute delight to wear.
7. Gallagher Rose All Dae
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Main Notes: Apple Crisp, Brown Sugar, Honey, Plum, and Stainless Steel
Longevity: Massive(12+ hours)
Sillage: Massive for around 4 hours
Projection: Very strong for around 4 hours
Value: Decent for the quality that you get.
Purchase Link: Rose All Dae
I honestly wanted to put Carpe Cafe on here because it's more like Christmas to me, but that is sadly discontinued and difficult to find now. I don't like putting discontinued fragrances on my lists, so I think this is the second-best one.
Rose All Dae is a rich and creative gourmand. I am not a huge gourmand lover, but I thoroughly enjoy this one and hold to my original statement when I reviewed it...This is a masterpiece. Dried apples, plum, stainless steel, honey, and brown sugar combine to create a realistic experience of a holiday dessert fresh out of the oven that was baked in a steel pan. It's very atmospheric to me and a very well crafted blend.
Rose All Dae is a very powerful fragrance. I suggest no more than 2 sprays or you might be cooking your own Christmas dinner...or ordering takeout. Don't say I didn't warn you.
6. Amouage Jubilation XXV
Longevity: Massive(12+ hours)
Sillage: Massive for around 4 hours
Projection: Very strong for around 4 hours
Value: Decent for the quality that you get.
Purchase Link: Rose All Dae
I honestly wanted to put Carpe Cafe on here because it's more like Christmas to me, but that is sadly discontinued and difficult to find now. I don't like putting discontinued fragrances on my lists, so I think this is the second-best one.
Rose All Dae is a rich and creative gourmand. I am not a huge gourmand lover, but I thoroughly enjoy this one and hold to my original statement when I reviewed it...This is a masterpiece. Dried apples, plum, stainless steel, honey, and brown sugar combine to create a realistic experience of a holiday dessert fresh out of the oven that was baked in a steel pan. It's very atmospheric to me and a very well crafted blend.
Rose All Dae is a very powerful fragrance. I suggest no more than 2 sprays or you might be cooking your own Christmas dinner...or ordering takeout. Don't say I didn't warn you.
6. Amouage Jubilation XXV
Main Notes: Blackberry, Honey, Oud, Myrrh, Frankincense, and Opoponax
Longevity: Very good (9-10 hours)
Sillage: Solid for the first 6 hours
Projection: Strong for the first 3 hours
Value: Expensive, but you get what you pay for here.
Purchase Link: JXXV
Amouage's Jubilation XXV(JXXV for short) is a masterful blend of expensive ingredients. It's inspired by many of the ingredients that were part of the trade routes in the middle east.
JXXV is a very expensive and opulent fragrance and the ingredients show this. Oud, honey, frankincense, and myrrh combine to create a very woody and resinous fragrance with an underlying dark sweetness. It's supposedly blackberry, but I cannot directly identify it as a blackberry note.
The reason it's on this list is because of the ingredients. Myrrh and frankincense were both given to baby Jesus as gifts. Considering those are two of the strongest notes in this fragrance, it makes this one suitable for Christmas to me. Along with the luxurious aura that this fragrance gives you, this is perfect for an upscale Christmas.
5. Al-Rehab Choco Musk
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Main Notes: Chocolate, Vanilla, Sandalwood, and Cinnamon
Longevity: Very good (10+ hours)
Sillage: Decent for around 6 hours
Projection: Moderate for 3 hours before it becomes soft for the rest of its life.
Value: Almost unbeatable
Purchase Link: Choco Musk (I have purchased from this seller before)
Al-Rehab Choco Musk is by far the cheapest on this list. Coming in at $6 for a 6ml perfume oil or around 10-12 bucks for a perfume spray. That means this one costs you as much as a burger. I know what you are thinking...how can something so cheap be good? Well, it is. I didn't believe it at first either.
Choco Musk smells exactly like a creamy hot chocolate to me. It's obviously synthetic, but so are the packets of hot chocolate that you buy. If this was actually realistic, then it wouldn't smell nearly as good as it does, in my opinion. The one time where I can say that I am glad something is synthetic...
4. Serge Lutens Five O'Clock au Gingembre
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Main Notes: Ginger, Cinnamon, Black Tea, Pepper, and Amber
Longevity: Moderate (6-8 hours)
Sillage: Acceptable, but soft for the first 4 hours
Projection: Moderate for the first 2 hours
Value: Very good if you get it from discounters.
Purchase Link: Gingembre
Serge Lutens Five O'Clock Gingembre is a fragrance inspired by a chai tea. It features some of the main ingredients in a chai tea such as black tea, ginger, cinnamon, and black pepper. However, I do not think this is an amazing copy of a chai tea scent due to them not using cloves. Regardless, this is still a warm and spicy fragrance with some woodiness and sweetness.
This fragrance has a strong black pepper note to my nose, therefore I go a bit noseblind to it. strong black pepper usually does this to me. The ginger is warm and slightly sweetened by cinnamon and a spicy amber accord. There is a vague woodiness that flows underneath that, but it's so light that I can't really detect what sort of wood was used. I also detect an ever so slight licorice vibe, which leads me to believe that fennel was also used. That makes total sense since fennel is a common ingredient in chai tea.
Serge Lutens created a warm and spicy fragrance that is cozy and sweet. It's very nice and that is why it's so high on my list. However, I don't think this smells like a true chai tea. I could just be picky though since I am somewhat of a tea snob.
3. Happyland Homme for the Holidays
Longevity: Moderate (6-8 hours)
Sillage: Acceptable, but soft for the first 4 hours
Projection: Moderate for the first 2 hours
Value: Very good if you get it from discounters.
Purchase Link: Gingembre
Serge Lutens Five O'Clock Gingembre is a fragrance inspired by a chai tea. It features some of the main ingredients in a chai tea such as black tea, ginger, cinnamon, and black pepper. However, I do not think this is an amazing copy of a chai tea scent due to them not using cloves. Regardless, this is still a warm and spicy fragrance with some woodiness and sweetness.
This fragrance has a strong black pepper note to my nose, therefore I go a bit noseblind to it. strong black pepper usually does this to me. The ginger is warm and slightly sweetened by cinnamon and a spicy amber accord. There is a vague woodiness that flows underneath that, but it's so light that I can't really detect what sort of wood was used. I also detect an ever so slight licorice vibe, which leads me to believe that fennel was also used. That makes total sense since fennel is a common ingredient in chai tea.
Serge Lutens created a warm and spicy fragrance that is cozy and sweet. It's very nice and that is why it's so high on my list. However, I don't think this smells like a true chai tea. I could just be picky though since I am somewhat of a tea snob.
3. Happyland Homme for the Holidays
Main Notes: Coffee, Vetiver, Maple, Amber, Nutmeg, Cardamom, and Cinnamon
Longevity: Strong(9-10 hours)
Sillage: Huge for around 4 hours, then it gets a bit softer
Projection: Very strong for around 3 hours
Value: Great value
Purchase Link: Homme for the Holidays
My favorite fragrance from Happyland is a tie between Homme for the Holidays and Signature. Both could be used for the holidays, but this one edges Signature out in that category. Happyland is one of my go-to brands when I want something strong and this one doesn't disappoint.
Homme for the Holidays is an eye-opening blend of strong black coffee and warm spices with a bit of amber and maple to sweeten it up. It has a nutty feel to it as well, which I am not sure if that is coming from the vetiver or nutmeg. It could be both. Regardless, this is a powerful Christmas fragrance that is sure to bring a bit of cheer to your season.
2. Parfums de Marly Oajan
Longevity: Strong(9-10 hours)
Sillage: Huge for around 4 hours, then it gets a bit softer
Projection: Very strong for around 3 hours
Value: Great value
Purchase Link: Homme for the Holidays
My favorite fragrance from Happyland is a tie between Homme for the Holidays and Signature. Both could be used for the holidays, but this one edges Signature out in that category. Happyland is one of my go-to brands when I want something strong and this one doesn't disappoint.
Homme for the Holidays is an eye-opening blend of strong black coffee and warm spices with a bit of amber and maple to sweeten it up. It has a nutty feel to it as well, which I am not sure if that is coming from the vetiver or nutmeg. It could be both. Regardless, this is a powerful Christmas fragrance that is sure to bring a bit of cheer to your season.
2. Parfums de Marly Oajan
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Main Notes: Cinnamon, Benzoin, Amber, Honey, Osmanthus, and Vanilla
Longevity: Very strong (10+ hours)
Sillage: Massive for around 4 hours
Projection: Massive for around 3 hours
Value: Expensive
Purchase Link: Oajan
I know I have done my fair share of hating on Parfums de marly, but the house has really grown on me. Their fragrances are somewhat simple but have a likable charm to them. I wouldn't say I am a huge Parfums de Marly fan yet, but I do enjoy Oajan quite a bit.
Oajan is a warm spicy cinnamon fragrance with ambery and vanillic facets to it along with a fruity osmanthus note. The result is something a little bit like apple pie. It's a warm and cozy fragrance for the holiday season. It's quite perfect for a warm fragrance when you have to go out into the blistering cold. It will certainly cut through that cold air and snow. It's a very powerful and pleasant fragrance. As much as I enjoy this one, I do think it's still a bit overpriced.
1. Penhaligon's LP No 9 for Men
Longevity: Very strong (10+ hours)
Sillage: Massive for around 4 hours
Projection: Massive for around 3 hours
Value: Expensive
Purchase Link: Oajan
I know I have done my fair share of hating on Parfums de marly, but the house has really grown on me. Their fragrances are somewhat simple but have a likable charm to them. I wouldn't say I am a huge Parfums de Marly fan yet, but I do enjoy Oajan quite a bit.
Oajan is a warm spicy cinnamon fragrance with ambery and vanillic facets to it along with a fruity osmanthus note. The result is something a little bit like apple pie. It's a warm and cozy fragrance for the holiday season. It's quite perfect for a warm fragrance when you have to go out into the blistering cold. It will certainly cut through that cold air and snow. It's a very powerful and pleasant fragrance. As much as I enjoy this one, I do think it's still a bit overpriced.
1. Penhaligon's LP No 9 for Men
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Main Notes: Clove, Amber, Cinnamon, Nutmeg, Black Pepper, and Vanilla
Longevity: Good(8 hours)
Sillage: Moderate for the first 4 hours
Projection: Slightly strong for the first 2 hours
Value: Good value at discounters
Purchase Link: LP No 9
Penhaligon's LP No 9 is my reigning MVP for Christmas. It was on top of my list last year(I don't recall if I did a Christmas list last year. It might have been the year before...). This is the spiciest I have in my collection. Shockingly, no one talks about this one and I don't know why.
The dominant notes of clove and cinnamon here create a perfect fragrance reminiscent of Christmas. Vaguely sweet amber and vanilla mix with the warm spices to make something very comforting and cozy, like a hot apple cider on a cold and snowy day. There is also a hint of sweet rosewood in here. I get a slight licorice vibe in this one too, which I am assuming is anise.
LP No 9 is one of the most underrated fragrances in the fragrance community, in my opinion. I will continue to give it the limelight that it deserves until people catch on. I think this might be the third year in a row that is made my Christmas list. That has to count for something, right?
Conclusion
I hope you all enjoyed my Christmas list this year. It took me a lot of time to make this one. Remember, no matter how good I made these fragrances sound...Please sample first! Your nose is not my nose and I care about your wallet. I want you to discover great fragrances, but I don't want you to spend a lot of money on a blind buy that I love. You may not like it.
I just want to thank all of you who have supported me this year. Everything from the kind words to the samples/bottles you have sent me. It means a lot to me and I very much appreciate the support people have given me. Honestly, if it wasn't for the people I would have quit this year. It hasn't been the easiest year, but the generosity of some people and their encouragement has kept me grounded and in the game.
I know some of you have said that I had an impact on you this year and it makes me happy to touch so many lives. However, I also want you to know that you have touched mine in return. This blog was never about becoming famous or earning an income. I have never taken a dime from any fragrance company. I have had a few donations from some generous readers though. Outside of that, I haven't made anything. This blog always has been about people and always will be. This isn't just a blog to hype up everything I get my hands on. It's to show my passion for people and perfume. The reason why I say this is because you folk shave constantly reignited that fire when it was burning out. I am forever grateful to you for blessing my life and keeping me on the right track. I wish I was able to buy my readers gifts or do a giveaway, but I cannot afford it. Hopefully next year I can. For now, I just want you to know you have my utmost gratitude for helping me.
I wish everyone a Merry Christmas. I do hope that it's a great ay for everyone. Remember to say kinds words and check in on people. You never know who is struggling. This has been a tough year for most of us and the holiday season can be the worst for some folks. A kind word is free. You never know how one act of kindness can bring someone back from despair. My inbox is always open if you need someone to talk to as well. I will leave my Facebook down below. Much love to all of you. I hope to put out something else before the new year, but no promises! If I don't, then I also wish you a new and prosperous year. The only way to go forward is from here.
Feel free to connect with me! My Facebook
Longevity: Good(8 hours)
Sillage: Moderate for the first 4 hours
Projection: Slightly strong for the first 2 hours
Value: Good value at discounters
Purchase Link: LP No 9
Penhaligon's LP No 9 is my reigning MVP for Christmas. It was on top of my list last year(I don't recall if I did a Christmas list last year. It might have been the year before...). This is the spiciest I have in my collection. Shockingly, no one talks about this one and I don't know why.
The dominant notes of clove and cinnamon here create a perfect fragrance reminiscent of Christmas. Vaguely sweet amber and vanilla mix with the warm spices to make something very comforting and cozy, like a hot apple cider on a cold and snowy day. There is also a hint of sweet rosewood in here. I get a slight licorice vibe in this one too, which I am assuming is anise.
LP No 9 is one of the most underrated fragrances in the fragrance community, in my opinion. I will continue to give it the limelight that it deserves until people catch on. I think this might be the third year in a row that is made my Christmas list. That has to count for something, right?
Conclusion
I hope you all enjoyed my Christmas list this year. It took me a lot of time to make this one. Remember, no matter how good I made these fragrances sound...Please sample first! Your nose is not my nose and I care about your wallet. I want you to discover great fragrances, but I don't want you to spend a lot of money on a blind buy that I love. You may not like it.
I just want to thank all of you who have supported me this year. Everything from the kind words to the samples/bottles you have sent me. It means a lot to me and I very much appreciate the support people have given me. Honestly, if it wasn't for the people I would have quit this year. It hasn't been the easiest year, but the generosity of some people and their encouragement has kept me grounded and in the game.
I know some of you have said that I had an impact on you this year and it makes me happy to touch so many lives. However, I also want you to know that you have touched mine in return. This blog was never about becoming famous or earning an income. I have never taken a dime from any fragrance company. I have had a few donations from some generous readers though. Outside of that, I haven't made anything. This blog always has been about people and always will be. This isn't just a blog to hype up everything I get my hands on. It's to show my passion for people and perfume. The reason why I say this is because you folk shave constantly reignited that fire when it was burning out. I am forever grateful to you for blessing my life and keeping me on the right track. I wish I was able to buy my readers gifts or do a giveaway, but I cannot afford it. Hopefully next year I can. For now, I just want you to know you have my utmost gratitude for helping me.
I wish everyone a Merry Christmas. I do hope that it's a great ay for everyone. Remember to say kinds words and check in on people. You never know who is struggling. This has been a tough year for most of us and the holiday season can be the worst for some folks. A kind word is free. You never know how one act of kindness can bring someone back from despair. My inbox is always open if you need someone to talk to as well. I will leave my Facebook down below. Much love to all of you. I hope to put out something else before the new year, but no promises! If I don't, then I also wish you a new and prosperous year. The only way to go forward is from here.
Feel free to connect with me! My Facebook
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