Holiday Room Sprays

Seasonal Aromatherapy for Winter Calm and Wellness

I love room sprays; they are one of the simplest ways to enjoy aromatherapy at home. They take just a couple of minutes to make, and they do more than just smell good. Essential oils can support emotional wellness, help with focus, support respiratory wellness, or encourage relaxation.

During the Christmas season, I especially enjoy working with warming spices, refreshing conifers, bright citruses, and frankincense; aromas that feel both festive and supportive during the gloomier months of the year.

The Christmas holiday season is a joyful, hopeful, blessed season, but if we are honest, it can also be exhausting. Between crowded stores, endless to-do lists, family gatherings, and the pressure to create picture-perfect moments, if you lose your focus, it can leave you running on empty. Add in stuffy indoor air, seasonal colds, and the general heaviness that comes with shorter days, and it is no wonder we need support.

The recipes below are formulated to address the common emotional and physical needs of the holiday season. But first things first, start by:

...casting all your care upon Him, for He cares for you. - 1 Peter 5:7

Give it to the Lord first. Then let these simple remedies support you as you experience the season.

What You'll Need for Holiday Room Sprays

Making your own room spray is surprisingly simple

• Spray bottles

  • Glass (amber or cobalt blue) is best

  • PET plastic works if you are on a budget

  • 2-oz or 4-oz sizes are most practical

• Alcohol

  • 150-proof grain alcohol works best

  • 190-proof is even better if available

  • Vodka (80-proof) will work in a pinch, but does not preserve as well (shorter shelf life)

• Distilled water (not tap water)

• Essential oils (not fragrance oils)

Each ingredient plays an important role. The alcohol disperses the oils through the water, slowing the growth of bacteria or mold. Distilled water prevents contamination. And of course, the essential oils provide both scent and therapeutic benefits.

Basic DIY Room Spray Recipe:

• 25% ethanol (150 proof [75%] alcohol or higher)

• 73% distilled water

• 2% essential oil

Actual Measurements (2-oz bottle)

• 15 ml ethanol

• 43 ml distilled water

• 20-24 drops of essential oil(s)

Easy Method

If you are like me and prefer to quickly eyeball measure rather than create dishes that require washing, simply fill the spray bottle about ⅓ full with alcohol, add your essential oils, and then fill with distilled water to the shoulder (leave room to shake). Label it. Shake well before each use.

Why These Ingredients Matter

• Alcohol disperses the oils through the water and prevents bacteria/mold growth

• Distilled water (not tap water) prevents mineral buildup and contamination

• Essential oils provide scent and therapeutic benefits

Holiday Room Spray Recipes

The following blends utilize seasonal aromatics to address some of the common emotional and wellness needs associated with the holiday and winter seasons.

Forest Calm

For stress, exhaustion, and emotional uplift, while also supporting the respiratory tract

• 10 drops black spruce (Picea mariana)

• 5 drops frankincense (Boswellia carterii or B. serrata)

• 4 drops lemon (Citrus limon)

• 3 drops Atlas cedarwood (Cedrus atlantica)

Why it works

• Black spruce is calming and is a refreshing way to support the respiratory system

• Frankincense's rich, resinous aroma encourages you to slow down and breathe, supporting both your mood and respiratory system

• Lemon brings brightness and lightness during dark winter days

• Atlas cedarwood has a warm, resinous aroma that blends well with frankincense, supporting a sense of calmness and opening the airways

Winter Woods

For seasonal congestion and mental fatigue

• 8 drops Siberian fir (Abies siberica)

• 6 drops Scotch pine (Pinus sylvestris)

• 4 drops lime (Citrus aurontifolia)

• 4 drops rosemary (Salvia rosmarinus)

Why it works

• Conifer oils are frequently used to support clear breathing and refresh stale indoor air

• Rosemary enhances focus and mental clarity without being overly stimulating

• Lime adds a crisp, uplifting note that balances the forest oils and brings brightness to the blend

Cozy Hearth

For anxiety, overwhelm, and holiday tension

• 10 drops sweet orange (Citrus sinensis)

• 6 drops cedarwood (Juniperus virginiana)

• 4 drops ginger (Zingiber officinale)

• 2 drops cinnamon leaf (Cinnamomum zeylanicum or C. verum)

Why it works

• Sweet orange is enjoyed by many for its cheerful, uplifting aroma

• Cedarwood helps reduce anxious feelings and promotes relaxation

• Ginger's spicy aroma provides a sense of warmth and comfort, while also supporting the immune system

• Cinnamon leaf adds gentle spice and a sense of cozy familiarity, while also supporting the immune system

Cheer

For uplifting low mood, emotional fatigue, and winter heaviness

• 10 drops bergamot (Citrus bergamia)

• 9 drops black spruce (Picea mariana)

• 5 drops peppermint (Mentha x piperita)

Why it works

• Bergamot has a bright, pleasant aroma that many find to be emotionally uplifting while promoting relaxation

• Black spruce, being a conifer, offers mood and immune support

• Peppermint adds a refreshing and invigorating quality that helps to clear mental fog

Clear & Bright

For stuffy rooms and mental heaviness

• 8 drops Siberian fir (Abies siberica)

• 5 drops frankincense (Boswellia carterii or B. serrata)

• 5 drops sweet orange (Citrus sinensis)

• 4 drops rosemary (Salvia rosmarinus)

Why it works

• Siberian firrefreshes the air while supporting respiratory comfort

• Frankincense balances the blend and supports a sense of calm

• Sweet orange lightens the overall aroma and mood

• Rosemary helps cut through mental fog and supports focus

A Note on Use & Safety

• Shake well before each use - oils and water naturally separate

• Avoid spraying near pets, small children, or sensitive individuals

• Spiced oils can be potent; use lightly and occasionally

• Shelf life: 3-6 months when stored in a cool, dark place

• Cinnamon bark vs. leaf: I use cinnamon leaf in these recipes as it is gentler; cinnamon bark oil can be a strong irritant, even in sprays

How to Use Your Holiday Room Sprays

Room sprays are wonderfully versatile. Mist them into the air of any room that needs a refresh: foyer before guests arrive, the living room at the start of the morning, bathrooms as needed, home offices for a quick mid-day pick-me-up, even your car. Avoid spraying directly onto wood, leather, or other delicate surfaces. The scent will naturally fade after a couple of hours, so feel free to re-spritz as needed.

Final Thoughts

These blends are intended to be a delightful way to help support you through the holiday experiences, from overwhelming to-do lists to joyful gatherings.

As always, lean on the Lord for the peace that surpasses understanding.

The sprays? They are just a small, aromatic reminder to pause, breathe, and trust in the Lord.

Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.

-Philippians 4:6-7