Christmas time is celebrated throughout many days, even after Christmas Day. In some countries, they extend it up to the first days of February.
Christmas time, in Winter time, is decorated with beautiful Christmas ornaments,
lights, and listening to Christmas Carols, Classical music or any other music that invites us to reflect and relax, sometimes, we also get music to gather with family and friends and enjoy the time sharing love, food, songs, games and gifts. Christmas time, in Summer time, in some places they like to have similar Christmas decoration, music and food than the people from Northern Hemisphere, but in general, due to the warm season, people are more relaxed about decorations, and more attuned to go out and swim, smell the flowers in bloom from Spring, experience the breeze and humidity and enjoy the birds and flying insects pollinating flowers and plants.

What is the Scent of Christmas Celebration made of?
Depending of our culture of origin, this Scent will vary.

In Western Christian Culture is generally a cozy blend of warm spices (cinnamon, clove,
nutmeg), fresh conifer greens (pine, fir, cypress, spruce), sweet baked goods (ginger bread,
almond bread, vanilla, anise), bright citrus (orange, lemon) mixed with peppermint, all in
harmony with mulled wine and cider with cherries, cranberries mixed with the smell of turkey, ham, beef or chicken and potatoes, carrots, onions, garlic, sweet potatoes, beans, chick peas, green peas. Inside the churches, the smell of tuberose and myrrh, frankincense and candles accompanied with Anthems and Christmas Carols.
In Southern Europe, the smell of fish and seafood with peppers, olive oil harmonises
with sweet nuts deserts, dried fruit, red and white wine or mulled wine, cider, brandy to drink. The Christmas decoration also include fresh conifer greens adding a fresh earthy smell. The Christmas style of sweet bread is puffed yeast-based, like in Italy, they have Panettone, in Greece, something similar to Panettone, they have it also for Easter, in Spain, they have “Rosca de Reyes” for the 6th of January. These sweet puffed breads have lots of sugar and dried fruits and usually are taken with frothy warm cocoa drink. The smell in that time is sweet almond, vanilla, fruity, icy sugar, cacao, vanilla like.

In Mexico and some Latin-American countries, the European and Spanish influence is
there in Christmas, but at least in Mexico, we have added some other dishes and aromas into Christmas, like the powder of dried prawns mixed with cooked rosemary and spicy and hot “mole” paste and cooked small potatoes. Some people may cook prawns as a tradition too. Another traditional dish is “Chiles en nogada”, a delicacy of stuffed capsicums or “Chile Poblano” with minced pork meat, blended almonds, covered in an almond sauce and pomegranate seeds. This dish mixes the green spicy chilly with the sweetness of almonds, pork meat and the bitterness of pomegranate seeds. Some more indigenous alcoholic drinks are also part of the tradition like Pulque, Tequila.
Some other Latin-American countries in South America, will cook “ceviche”, based in
fish, seafood, potatoes, lime juice, peppers, salt, tomatoes, coriander, cucumber, avocado, red onion, garlic, and orange juice. This is a very fresh, oceanic smell dish.

In Australia and New Zealand, similar Christmas Celebration custom as the Northern
Hemisphere, with some more simplicity and flexibility adding as a desert “The Pavlova”
a Meringue based fruit creamy desert with strawberries, black berries, kiwi fruit, mango slices. It is soft, easy to digest, sweet combined with the bitterness of the fruit white wine, cider or rose wine are served as drink, seafood is also popular and fish with potato chips and lots of vegetables like potatoes, carrots, spinach, sweet potato, parsley, coriander, mint, orange, lime, lemon, beetroot, red onions, garlic, mushrooms, all blended in black-pepper, marine salt or pink pepper. After dinner, the scents from black tea or herbal tea infusions with milk or coffee or chocolate milk are enjoyed.

In the Middle East, Christmas celebration dishes feature with roasted lamb or chicken,
usually stuffed with spiced rice and nuts (pine nuts and almonds) combined with fruits like dates, also hummus, tabouli, baba ganoush, kebbeh with coriander, peppers as garnish for the dishes. The Baklava is a very sweet festive cake that also is added into the Christmas Celebration. There are regional variations including the Syrian stuffed turkey, Palestinian Qedreh (lamb, rice, chickpeas) and Egyptian Fatta, all seasoned with spices like cinnamon, allspice and baharat.

In Asian Countries, they adopted some of the Western Christmas traditions blent with
their own particular dishes for festivities:
In Japan, they use KFC (Kentucky Fried Chicken) nuggets with a desert dish “Strawberry
shortcake” which it is a fluffy sponge cake with cream and fresh strawberries. Other sweets
more into the Japanese custom are “Wagashi”, are moulded traditional sweets in the shape of snowmen.
In Philippines, they have baked rice cake with coconut milk, salted egg and cheese called
“Bibingka”. The “Puto Bumbong” is a purple rice cake steamed in bamboo, served with butter, coconut and sugar. Also they have a variety of pastries. They also have many Spanish influence savoury dishes for this celebration made of pork, chicken and beef.
In Vietnam, they have noodle soups, savoury crispy rice cakes with meat and for desert,
chocolate log cake with French influence recipe.
In India, they celebrate with hearty meat dishes with spices like “Biryani and Curries”, accompanied with sweets like “Nankhatai,Bolinhas and Karanji”. For roasted meats, they use goose and duck.
In Thailand, they use spicy red curry with coconut milk, herbs and meat. As a desert,
mango sticky rice with coconut milk.
In Korea, there are savoury pancakes with vegetables, meat or seafood, braised short ribs.
As a desert, rice cake soup, traditionally for New Year celebrations but also shared on
Christmas celebrations.
As decorations in Asian countries, Mango Trees are decorated for Christmas and oil-
burning lamps are used in India.
In China, people prefer to have Christmas celebration outside, instead of cooking at
home. Their food varied from hot pots to Western foods. People give apples to friends and
love ones. Apple signifies “fruit of peace” to Chinese. Some of the staples for Christmas dinner are chicken, duck or dumplings. As a desert, they have coated hawthorn fruits with malt sugar on a bamboo skewer.
In African Countries, there is a vibrant feast of spiced rice dishes, roasted meats (chicken,
goat and turkey) with flavour stews and sides of fried plantains salads and small chops like rich fruitcakes, sticky fruit puddings.

As you can see, Christmas time scents are varied wherever you are.
This is an aromatic glimpse of the World Christmas Celebration Season in food and aromas and decorations as part of the way people stop and value community, reflection, and gathering for peace and harmony. These scents throughout the world are made for us to enjoy, to recover that vibrancy and motivation, and to reconnect with Nature and with ourselves!

The origins and history of Poinsettias ( Euphorbia pulcherrima) take us to the Aztec
Civilization, where this flower was called cuetlax ōchitl, meaning "flower that grows in residues or soil”. This plant only grew in Winter from the lower altitudes in Mexico, in what is now Taxco, Cuernavaca.  As with the higher altitudes of what is now Mexico City, previously called Tenochtitlan, it was not possible to grow this plant, and just got imported in that time from these low altitude areas.

These flowers were used by the Aztecs in ceremonial sites and temples. As the Spaniards were trying to vanish any pagan rituals and beliefs from the Aztecs, they used the Poinsettias or cuetlaxõchitl flowers for the Celebration of Christmas. The Spaniards took the poinsettias as a symbol to get rid of the original pagan traditions of the Aztecs and replace them with friars of the Franciscan Christian religious order in Mexico included the plants in their Christmas celebrations.  The star-shaped leaf pattern is said to symbolize the Star of Bethlehem, the red colour represents the blood shed during the sacrifice of Jesus' crucifixion, and the white leaves represent the purity of Jesus.

Today, Poinsettia (Euphorbia pulcherrima) is known in Mexico and Guatemala as
“flor de nochebuena” or simply “nochebuena”, meaning "Christmas Eve flower”. In other countries, like Spain, this plant is called “flor de pascua ”, meaning “Pascal flower” (Spanish people say “Pascua” to Christmas and “Pascua de Resurreción” to Passover or Easter). In Chile and Peru, this plant is known as “The Crown of the Andes”.

Poinsettia is a commercially important flowering plant species of the diverse spurge family Euphorbiaceae. Indigenous to Mexico and Central America, the poinsettia was first described by Europeans in 1834. It is particularly well known for its red and green foliage and is widely used in Christmas floral displays. The flower was originally called either “Mexican flame flower” or “painted leaf” by people in United States, then, in 1836, the plant was named taxonomy after Joel Roberts Poinsett, the first United States minister to Mexico, who also was a botanist, spoke many languages and was credited with introducing the plant to the USA in the 1820s.

Perfume, like faith and poetry, does not know borders. From India, the fragrance of flowers and spices traveled on the monsoon winds, carried by merchant ships and caravans. In its wake, it sowed the seeds of civilizations across Southeast Asia, where kingdoms embraced India’s gods, rites, and perfumes as if they had always belonged to them.

Legend tells us that distillation itself was revealed to an Indian princess, Nūr Jahān, whose name means “Light of the World.” On the morning of her wedding to Emperor Akbar, she saw delicate vapors rise from the surface of a rosewater fountain. Fascinated, she captured them and understood the secret of distillation. From this revelation, the art of attar reached new refinement, and perfumes became jewels of Mughal courts.
Akbar, the great emperor, adored perfumes with such passion that his audience halls forever breathed of amber, agarwood, rose, and jasmine. Scented fountains whispered in his gardens, incense burned in golden braziers, and perfumed smoke enveloped his guests like a celestial embrace. In this atmosphere, perfumery became not only pleasure but also royal science, a craft elevated to the level of painting, music, and poetry.

From the first centuries of our era, Indian merchants sailed the South Seas in search of cinnamon, clove, pepper, and resins. They brought with them not only perfumes and spices but also gods, myths, and art. They founded trading posts along the Gulf of Siam, in the Mekong Delta, in Sumatra and Java. The native peoples, enchanted by this refined civilization, absorbed it without resistance. Temples rose where Shiva and Vishnu joined local spirits, and Indian perfumed rites blended with Southeast Asia’s forests and rivers.

In Oc-Eo, in present-day Vietnam, archaeologists uncovered jewels, statues, and perfumes from Rome, India, and China, proving this city of Fou-Nan was a crossroads of the world. From there, Indian influence reached Tchen-La, cradle of the Khmers, who would later raise Angkor as the crown of their civilization.
 
At Angkor, perfume took on a monumental scale. The temples were perfumed with garlands, incense, and scented waters offered to the gods. Dancers, adorned with jasmine, betel, and wax candles, swayed like incarnations of Shiva. Their hair, crowned with golden caps, exhaled oils of flowers and herbs. Their long gilded nails extended their gestures like blossoms unfolding in the night. Before each performance, they bathed in sacred scented waters, blessed by priests, so that their movements would become offerings themselves.
Perfume was also protection. In Cambodia, warriors received talismanic tunics inscribed with magic formulas, anointed with perfumes during solemn rites. Sprinkled with rosewater and incense, the fabric became a second skin of invulnerability. In battle, the scent of sanctity mingled with the roar of steel.
 
Everywhere, incense burned in temples, mingling with prayers. Scented water was poured over statues of Buddha, golden petals covered his effigy, while monks sprinkled the faithful as a sign of purification and blessing. The Mekong became not only a river of life but a perfumed royal road.
Even Marco Polo, arriving in the 13th century, was dazzled by the splendor of Khmer civilization. He described cities enveloped in incense, courts perfumed with oils, and women covered in flowers whose beauty seemed beyond human. In their dances, through smoke and fragrance, they appeared as celestial beings descended to earth.
 
Thus, from India to Java, from the Mekong to Angkor, perfume remained the invisible ambassador of civilization. It was the essence that carried gods, myths, and beauty across oceans, weaving Asia into a single perfumed tapestry.

Excerpt of "World Perfume Heritage" by Creezy Courtoy. The book will be released on Amazon in November. 

I recently reviewed a website (I won’t reveal which one to avoid embarrassing them) who had this definition of Natural Essence marketing:
“Marketing is a bizarre science that consists of the study of the process and the motivations that make human beings do something that no other living creature does: buy things, the end aim of all economic activity.”
There is really nothing correct about this statement.
What this author (as well as many others in natural essences) is really talking about here is “selling” not marketing. Selling is part of marketing, but marketing is a much more complex process including:

1. Understanding marketing’s role and responsibilities within the company’s purpose/vision, mission statement, and business plan
2. Determining what consumers are or should be interested in with Natural Essences
3. Using a consumer-centric mind-set in sourcing materials, stories, and supplies
4. Determining the appropriate marketing mix of products, prices, and promotions
5. Educating, informing, and selling consumers who demand more but are willing to pay more if those demands are met; and, if they are satisfied with the performance of the product, will return for more purchases, develop brand loyalty, be open for brand extensions, and even develop brand advocacy--all for a lifetime.

The author above focuses solely on marketing  “making” a customer “...buy things, the end aim of all economic activity.” Wrong!   Selling is merely the first step and, without product satisfaction at the point-of-consumption (POC), it will likely be the last step.
The true “end aim” of economic activity for Natural Essences should be helping millions of new consumers understand the importance and value of making Natural Essences part of their daily lives for a lifetime.
 
If you want to learn more about marketing, enrol for Terry Johnson's Business and Marketing course

The Lotus holds deep common symbolic and spiritual significance of Rebirth, Purity, and the Divine in both Ancient Egyptian and Indian cultures.
In Ancient Egypt, the blue lotus (likely Nymphaea caerulea) symbolized the sun, rebirth, and the cycle of life. It was associated with the sun god Ra, as it opens in the morning and closes at night, as a plant emerging from the primordial waters (Nun), bringing forth the first light.
In India, the pink lotus (Nelumbo nucifera) symbolizes purity, spiritual awakening, and detachment from the material world. It’s linked to gods like Lakshmi, Vishnu, and Brahma, who are often depicted seated on a lotus, as rising unsullied from muddy waters, symbolizing enlightenment and transcendence.
While Egypt and India developed their lotus symbolism independently, there were ancient trade and cultural exchanges via the Persian Empire, Mesopotamia, and the Perfume Roads. Symbolic ideas (like sacred plants) may have influenced each other over centuries.
Buddhism, which emerged in India, spread to Egypt during the Greco-Roman era (especially in Alexandria), and Egyptian mystery religions also influenced early mystic traditions. 
Botanically, they’re from different genera, but their growth pattern (rising from muddy water) gave rise to similar meanings.

National Flower of India
The lotus is India’s official national flower, chosen for its strong cultural and spiritual presence across the country. It represents resilience, strength, and peace.
In Art and Architecture, you’ll see lotus motifs in Indian temples, fabrics, sculptures, and paintings. A famous example is the Lotus Temple in Delhi — a Bahá’í House of Worship shaped like a blooming white lotus, symbolizing unity and harmony among all people and religions.
In Language and Literature, you'll find in Sanskrit and many Indian languages, poetic references to lotus eyes, lotus feet, or lotus hearts are common - all expressing beauty, grace, or spiritual connection.

Symbol of Purity and Enlightenment
The lotus grows in muddy waters, yet it rises above the surface to bloom pristinely. This makes it a symbol of purity, spiritual awakening, and detachment — remaining untouched by impurity while blossoming beautifully.
Sacred in Religions, for Hindus, the lotus is associated with several deities, especially:
Lakshmi, goddess of wealth and beauty, who is often depicted sitting or standing on a lotus. Brahma, the creator god, is said to have emerged from a lotus growing from Vishnu’s navel.
It represents divine birth and cosmic energy.
For Buddhists, the lotus signifies the path to enlightenment - the idea of rising from suffering (mud) and blooming into awareness and wisdom.
For Jainists, it also appears in symbols and iconography, particularly in depictions of Tirthankaras.

In essence, the lotus is more than a flower in India - it’s a symbol of rising above, of beauty born from struggle, and of inner divinity.

Natural Aromatherapy - The Ultimate Reconnection to your Body.
It was through various personal life experiences that I gradually became more aware of
certain health conditions I was facing - and how they were not just influenced by genetics,
but also profoundly shaped by the environment around me.
In our families, we learned traditional remedies passed down through generations. Some of these practices continue to prove their value, while others have been labeled as myths or dismissed by modern science. Yet, we now find ourselves in a time when people are
increasingly seeking to reconnect with Nature, and through this reconnection, we are
rediscovering profound truths about our bodies, our emotions, and our inner world.
This renewed relationship with the natural world is offering us a key: a deeper awareness of what is really happening in our bodies and how to begin healing - physically, emotionally, mentally, and spiritually.

Science is also beginning to recognise the value of traditional healing practices,
acknowledging their purpose, effectiveness, and the ancestral wisdom behind them. These remedies have been tested through generations, rooted in the millenary knowledge of ancient civilisations dedicated to agriculture, herbal medicine, alchemy, and holistic healing.
Today, with greater knowledge of allergens, hormone disruptors, phthalates, phenols, and
other harmful ingredients, we are becoming much more selective. We are more mindful of
the products we use, the medicines we take, and the therapies we choose - seeking those that are in alignment with our individual health, values, and well-being.

India, renowned as the "Country of a Thousand Perfumes," is a vast land with a rich history deeply entwined with the art of perfumery.
​This title is well-earned due to the country's extensive cultural rites and religious traditions, which have fostered a profound appreciation for fragrances. Indian literature and daily life are richly imbued with poetic, perfumed legends, and the rituals involve offerings of flowers and scents to the gods as tributes during religious festivals.

In ceremonies, statues of deities are cleansed with scented waters, and spaces are perfumed with rosewater, vetiver, saffron, and blanketed with blossoms. Life's pivotal events in India, from weddings to funerals, are enveloped in aromatic smoke, symbolizing a continuity of tradition.

The bustling markets of India are a sensory feast, full of vibrant colors and the intoxicating aromas of countless spices and perfumes. Incense burns in abundance, and gifts of flowers and fragrances are tokens of hospitality and friendship. Perfume, known as "attar" in Hindi, plays an essential role in everyday life, symbolizing health, purity, beauty, and spiritual virtues.