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What’s the Best Smell of

December?

by Maria Gracia Published on January 1, 2026 Discover which scents instantly transport GON readers into the heart of December, from fresh pine trees to cozy baking aromas, and read personal memories tied to the season’s most beloved smells. Join our newsletter to be notified when new content is added to our website. The Scents That Define December When we asked GON readers to name the best smell of December, the responses were heartfelt, nostalgic, and wonderfully sensory. December, after all, is a month we don’t just see; we breathe it in. A single scent can bring back childhood memories, family traditions, and moments that linger long after the decorations are packed away. One thing became immediately clear from the results: pine reigned supreme. Nearly half of all respondents (45%) chose the smell of a fresh pine tree, and many of the personal comments echoed that same deep affection. For so many readers, pine isn’t just a scent. it’s the scent of December itself. Readers shared memories of Christmas tree farms, cedar sprigs tucked into décor, and the ritual of lighting pine-scented candles before the tree arrives…and keeping them out long after it’s gone. One reader, now 80, shared that the scent of pine sap from years of tending thousands of trees is still with her. Another proudly tied her love of pine to growing up in Maine…The Pine Tree State. These weren’t just preferences; they were life stories wrapped in fragrance. Warm, comforting kitchen scents followed next. Cinnamon and cloves captured 21% of the vote, with readers mentioning apple pie, gingerbread cookies, and spice-filled ovens that define the season. Baking smells, even for those without an oven this year, clearly carry emotional weight…comfort, tradition, and anticipation all rolled into one. Other cozy favorites rounded out the list: the quiet crackle of a fireplace, vanilla cookies baking, peppermint everything, apple cider, hot cocoa, and mulled wine. Even the “Other” category brought joy, with mentions of chocolate baking and cranberry everything. And more than one reader admitted they simply couldn’t choose…December smells too good across the board. What these responses reveal is something beautifully simple: December lives in our senses. Whether it’s the sharp freshness of pine, the warmth of spices, or the sweetness of something baking, these scents anchor us to the season. They remind us where we’ve been, who we’ve loved, and why certain traditions matter so much. Below, you’ll find the full results along with some of our favorite reader comments. Take a moment to savor them…just like you would the season itself.. 45% Fresh pine tree 21% Warm cinnamon & cloves 9% A crackling fireplace 8% Vanilla cookies baking 7% Peppermint everything 4% Other 3% Cozy apple cider 2% Hot cocoa 1% Mulled Wine Personal GON reader comments: • Anything chocolate baking in the oven • Oh, my goodness! I love ALL of these! • I like all of the choices, but my answer has to be pine trees. I'm from Maine and we are The Pine Tree State! • I love the scent of pine! I start with scented candles before we get our tree and leave those out after the tree is gone until Valentine’s Day! • I love the smell of Christmas trees, but mainly the smell of cedar. I try to have some arrangement or sprigs of cedar included in my indoor decorations so that cedar mingles with other holiday scents. • Cranberry Everything! • First would be the smell of pine. We had a Christmas tree farm. My husband at one time had 10,000 planted. Lots of fun with people here every year. The pine sap is still with me and I am 80! • GINGERBREAD COOKIES - Love them so much, but with no oven, I am without again! • Cinnamon Apple Pie baking • I love all of the scents, but pine tree is number 1 Back to Web Poll Results Index