Sensory aspects of Christmas

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rabble

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Chatting with a friend recently, and she declared me mad when I said that a particular blend of Mexican spices always reminds me of Christmas (we somehow ended up with a tradition of Mexican food on 23rd of December)

It got me wondering: what smells/sights/sounds make you think "Christmas!"
The weirder the better!

Also when decorating, do you try and incorporate various 'sensory' things into your home?
 
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PamelaG

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Smells - pine (usually in candles), mint (I have Merry Mint pump soaps in the bathrooms and kitchen), mulling spices in apple cider or wassail (smells divine), the smell of Christmas cake/pudding with the rich raisin/currants/mixed fruit and brandy combination
Sights - cracking fireplace, twinkling lights
Sounds - Christmas music always playing in the background, laughter, the sound of wrapping paper being ripped open on Christmas morning accompanied by oohs and aahs and hopefully, lots of "I love this!" and "How did you know this was what I wanted?" ;)

Those are just a few off the top of my head.
 
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Holiday_Mom

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Hmmm... I can't think of anything weird. These are things that are unique to Christmas itself:

Smells - pine, anise, coffee in the special Christmas Blend,
Sights - white lights, luminaries
Sounds - sleigh bells, Christmas music,
Tastes - Peppermint hot chocolate, springerle cookies, eggnog
Touch - Pine sap, crushing candy canes with mallet, dusting springerle board,
 
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sweetpumkinpye

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Now remembering that Christmas here is Summer so a bit different to you fellas.
Smells - bbq, Aeroguard (a personal insect repellent), eucalyptus leaves.
Sights - Sunsets, white Christmas lights
Sounds - cicadas, Christmas music, kids playing outside, lawnmowers, laughter
Tastes - Christmas biscuits, mince pies, fruit punch,
Touch - Cool sheets, wrapping paper/sticky tape
 
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Holiday_Mom

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Now remembering that Christmas here is Summer so a bit different to you fellas.
Smells - bbq, Aeroguard (a personal insect repellent), eucalyptus leaves.
Sights - Sunsets, white Christmas lights
Sounds - cicadas, Christmas music, kids playing outside, lawnmowers, laughter
Tastes - Christmas biscuits, mince pies, fruit punch,
Touch - Cool sheets, wrapping paper/sticky tape
I thought of you this summer as we celebrated Christmas in July. It was a very strange feeling for all of us since we grew up with Christmas in winter. However, we could see how relaxing it could be with a summer time/vacation vibe if you've always known Christmas to be in the summer.
 
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sweetpumkinpye

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However, we could see how relaxing it could be with a summer time/vacation vibe if you've always known Christmas to be in the summer.
Mary, yes. Most of us have at least a week off between Christmas and New Year, a lot of us go to the beach (the nearest coast to us is about 2 hours away) or to various holiday homes. I will be taking some holiday time and will go back to work on January 11th so certainly a relaxing time. School finishes on December 18th and will not return until the first week of February so a long Summer break for the kids.
The only thing of course is the heat but it is Summer after all.
 
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jampss

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The Chipmunks - My mother would put on the Chipmunks record on the old record player when I was little! "Aaaaaaal-vin!!!!"

Pine candles

My mother's mother's recipe for a kuchen (poppy seed filled rolled pastry) I make it, but it's hard to find the Solo cans of poppy seed pastry filling.

Charlie Brown Christmas
 
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Myron's Mom

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Sounds- Old scratchy Christmas records- Tennessee Ernie Ford, Goodyear tire and rubber Christmas albums, Longines symphony.

Smells- chicken soup, grandmas cookies, the Christmas tree, and the old ornaments from grandma’s and my youth.

Sights- Frosted windows, Christmas trees, presents under the tree, snow.

Tastes- Chicken soup, sarma, grandmas cookies, Tang, my moms pecan cups.

Touch- Live Christmas tree, rolling out cookie dough, wrapping paper, old ornaments, snow

My husband always orders pizza December 23 to give me a break from all the preparations.
 
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sweetpumkinpye

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