Holiday goodies from Demeter!

There are so many holidays in December, along with parties where you want to bring a little something for the host and hostess. Then, there are the Secret Santa get-togethers, thank yous for all the helpers in our lives. Demeter has charming little fragrances for people and the home that are relatable to all ages, all genders and all budgets. This fragrance house specializes in creating the essences of things that you know. Some of the fragrances evoke big-time nostalgia. I was happy to be hosted to experience it!

Sandalwood Bath and Body Oil is a silky, light oil, absorbs quickly. You could blend it with lots of other fragrances. I experienced bright floral notes drying down into light wood. It’s great for all genders, day into night. It’s not smoky.

This is what they say about it: “The Scent: One of the oldest of incense materials, Demeter’s Sandalwood is a warm and sensual version of this classic note; if a fragrance could purr, this would be it.

The Story: For many years Demeter used natural sandalwood oil, but today, the Mysore forests that were the source for our oil are virtually depleted. The remaining trees are too immature to produce quality Sandalwood or Sandalwood oil, which requires 15 to 20 years.

The Inspiration: This was a situation where the environmentally responsible decision was to migrate from a natural source to a synthetic source; which is what we now use to create an incredible scent for everyone.”

Fresh Brewed Coffee in the humongous miniature splash size is great for longer journeys from home. I experienced a bright, light roast with sugar, but no cream. It’s fresh, not coffee sitting there. It’s a morning scent, not a burn the midnight oil. This is what they say about it: “The Scent: Awaken your senses with the invigorating aroma of a cup of freshly brewed coffee. Get that first-cup-of-the-day feeling all day long, with this extremely wearable scent.”

The Cedar diffuser oil is one of several wood scents carried by Demeter, all are different. You put bamboo sticks in an open bottle and leave it that way. Simple! Every once in a while, when you think of it, you flip them over. I experienced juicy live tree notes, there’s an “oompf” to the scent. I noticed a tiny bit of smoke. This is what they say about it: “The Scent: Cedar is one of the oldest ingredients used in fragrance, with a distributive woody scent that cannot really be broken down much further. Demeter’s Cedar uses natural cedar from Virginia to create a smooth and eminently wearable fragrance.”

Oak is a new Demeter fragrance and I was able to compare it as a diffuser oil. I experienced a “men’s fragrance” scent that women would steal. I noticed wood, spice and vanilla. It’s not overpowering. It’s a very sophisticated and expensive smelling scent. It’s what my dad would have called a “blind item”: a gift that seems a lot more expensive than it is. Because it was so attractive a blend, I tried some on my hand. I noticed a touch of salt to it. Here’s what they say about it: “Demeter’s Oak is a single note fragrance that captures the quintessential essence of the forest. It is a robust scent that embodies the strength and timeless grace of the majestic oak tree. With its deep, rich woodsy aroma, it evokes the warmth and comfort of nature. The fragrance has magnificent earthy with leathery nuances, and a subtle hint of sweetness, reminiscent of the oak’s enduring presence. It is both grounding and elevating, offering a singular olfactory experience that is as enduring as the tree itself. Perfect for those who appreciate the simplicity and profound beauty found in a single, unadorned scent.

The Inspiration: A 125-year-old oak tree fell on our property, a lovely honorarium for a sad day.

The Story:

Live thy Life, Young and old,

Like yon oak, Bright in spring,

Living gold;

~ Alfred Lord Tennyson

The Happy Holidays humongous miniature collection covers every aspect of celebration. Myrrh has a little pine, wood and lemon zest to my nose. It’s fresh and delicious. This is what they say about it: “The Scent: Warm, spicy, radiant and sensual, Myrrh is a classic and ancient fragrance ingredient, and like Frankincense, was one of the three gifts the Three Kings gave to Baby Jesus. It is also an aromatic tree resin like Frankincense and has been used throughout history as a perfume, incense and for medicinal purposes.

Myrrh and Frankincense, launched in 2015, compliment each other and blend beautifully.” Frankincense gave me notes of resin, smoky wood, pine, vetiver. It’s a good men’s cologne, warm. Here’s what they say about it: “The Scent: Demeter’s Frankincense is a full, rich, woody, spicy expression of a classic fragrance note. So classic, that the Bible mentions it as one of the three types of gifts the wise men gave to the baby Jesus.

The Inspiration: Frankincense is tapped from the scraggly but hardy Boswellia sacra trees by slashing the bark, which is called striping, and allowing the exuded resin to bleed out and harden. There are several species and varieties of frankincense trees, each producing a slightly different type of resin. Differences in soil and climate create even more diversity of the resin, even within the same species.”

Mistletoe gave me notes of holly berries and fresh green boughs. I didn’t know what to expect! I’m thinking I’ve never been kissed under the holiday decoration. It’s not sweet, it’s sporty. This is what they say about it: “The Scent: A deep, unisex, evergreen fragrance that will transport you to the very heart of the wintry forest, and whip up those romantic thoughts anytime.

The Inspiration: From the earliest times mistletoe has been one of the most magical, mysterious, and sacred plants of European folklore. It was considered to bestow life and fertility; a protection against poison; and an aphrodisiac. The mistletoe of the sacred oak was especially sacred to the ancient Celtic Druids, and it is with the Greek festival of Saturnalia that the seeds are found for the Western tradition of ‘Kissing under the Mistletoe’.”

Egg Nog is eggy with lots of nutmeg and rum. It’s more spice than cream, alluring. This is what they say about it: “The Scent: Wear this and you won’t need the mistletoe! Demeter’s Egg Nog is a delightful, creamy, concoction with touches of nutmeg and a dash of cinnamon. The perfect Egg Nog, at least from an olfactory perspective. Irresistible anytime.

The Inspiration: The scent in the air on a cold winter’s night; relaxing by the fire with the family, and enjoying a glass of warm, silky, smooth delicious Egg Nog.”

Oud is a resin scent from a tree found in Southeast Asia and the Middle East. You may have thought it was a spice. It’s used in incense and perfume. It’s sexy, like a warm spice cake. The shower gel is clear, so it won’t stain your tub. This is what they say about it: “The Scent: Oud is highly valued by perfumers for its sweet, woody, aromatic, and complex scent. It is a classical note in perfumery, most often used as a base note. At Demeter, we have isolated and refined Oud into a wearable, single note scent while maintaining its full, rounded, and enveloping nature – all, without overwhelming, in the traditional Demeter style.

The Inspiration: Oud is also called Agarwood. It comes from the wood of the tropical Agar (Aquilaria) tree, believed to have originated in the Assam region of India, and spread from there throughout Southeast Asia. When the wood of this tree gets infected with a certain mold variety (Phialophora parasitica), it reacts by producing a precious, dark and fragrant resin from which is where the perfume ingredient is derived.”