Scent is one of our most primitive senses. I’ll bet that when you think of holidays past, there’s a fragrance that really anchors you to that time. Demeter is the most creative of fragrance houses, not afraid to capture unusual objects or straight-out gourmand scents in its products. Whether you’re wrapping up (if that’s not too corny a pun) your Hanukkah gifts or prepping for Solstice or Christmas, they have an amazing assortment in all price points for all people. I was happy to be hosted to experience it!
I first learned about Demeter at a fancy book and gift shop in New Hope, PA: a very artsy, but even more well-heeled, town on the Delaware River, right by where George Washington crossed on Christmas, 1776 — almost 250 years ago!
Everyone has to wash, right? Demeter Shower Gel can also be used to perk up a bath, act as a luxury soaking agent for mani/pedis, rinse your lingerie, shave. It’s clear. Clove brings out that warming spice common to mulled wine and baked goods, without smelling like ham. It’s more brisk and peppery than heavy.
Have you wondered the difference between Caramel, Butterscotch and Toffee? I did, so I researched it. Caramel is make by cooking white sugar. Butterscotch has brown sugar and butter, while Toffee is hard-cooked Butterscotch. Brown sugar leaves in the molasses otherwise by-product, which is a deeper, warmer flavor and fragrance. I would say the brown sugar almost has a touch of umami savoriness, although Chinese cuisine does use white sugar. Demeter Butterscotch has the exact smell of the D-Zerta sugar-free butterscotch pudding served in Chiffon margarine containers my mom made us in the 1970s. IYKYK! She looks a good 25 years younger than she is and as to the pudding, she’d probably say wryly, “It wouldn’t kill you to stick to something like that.” So, get the shower gel!
I am in the Mid-Atlantic, where we are currently experiencing the kind of weather I don’t miss from standing out in the snow, waiting for the bus in Skokie, IL. I mean, there have been Decembers where all I needed was a jeans jacket! Now I’m laying out pads for my doggie and entirely unmotivated to leave the house. They say I should be starting up my car engine once in a while and maybe I should. Your skin is likely to be brutally cracked and itchy under these conditions. That’s where Demeter Bath & Body Oil will be your BFF, I promise. If you have a ratty bathrobe or long-sleeved t and pj bottoms or leggings. you can take a brief shower and drip some oil from the dropper all over, then let it soak in overnight. Or do the overnight cotton spa gloves thing.
Black Ginger is not like a cakey gingerbread. It has citrus, vegetable and notes of white pepper. It will add depth to any fragrance you layer over it, including oriental or green perfumes. This is what they say about it: “Black Ginger is a rare variation on Ginger with black leaves so shiny and smooth that they appear lacquered. Demeter’s Black Ginger is an invigorating spicy ginger scent, with touches of eastern spice and ginger flowers. It is unique and unusual, in a manner that is classically Demeter.”
Cinnamon Toast has very confectionery notes, like a cinnamon danish. More soft challah bread than Roman Meal toast, that again, my mom used to dish out. It’s sweet and delicious. This is what they say about it: “Cinnamon and sugar, all sticky and sweet. With amazing benefits? Who knew?
Dr. Alan Hirsch, Neurologist and Psychiatrist, and Director of Chicago’s Smell and Taste Treatment and Research Foundation, discovered that men became sexually stimulated when they smelled the aroma of cinnamon rolls.” So, maybe that’s the help you need this holiday season! “It can’t hurt,” my mom would say. I went to school with the daughter of one of Dr. Hirsch’s associates, but I don’t think she was into perfume, really. My dad was in the furniture business, but loved fragrances! Go figure. Fragrance sets were a 1st night Hanukkah gift in my home. In tough times, we’d split up the sets, with me as the oldest getting the most premium part.
The Humongous Miniature Splashes will get you through a whole vacation, easily. Chocolate Milk doesn’t smell like cheap American candy bars or generic store-brand chocolate milk. Rather, it smells like a higher cocoa percentage European bar made with richer milks. There’s a little snap of unsweetened dark cocoa powder in there, too. Here’s what they say about it: “Indulge in the comforting and nostalgic-This fragrance captures the essence of rich, creamy milk blended with velvety cocoa, creating a scent that is both sweet and soothing. Perfect for those who cherish the simple pleasures of life, this fragrance will transport you back to carefree moments of childhood.
The Inspiration: Generally inspired by the timeless delight of sipping on a cold glass of chocolate milk, evoking memories of after-school treats and cozy evenings. It’s a tribute to the joy found in the little things, reminding us that happiness can often be found in the simplest of pleasures.”
I would say that Oak is woody meets gourmand. There’s definitely a cinnamon along with oud layer to the more familiar wood scent. You’ll like it very much this time of year. This is what they say about it: “The Scent: 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.”
Luxe & Down-Home Cuisine/Culture/Travel/Style 