There is nothing like that Christmas smell on a cold day as the holidays approach or are underway. If you want to make your home smell warm, welcoming and festive, here are some delicious food and beverage ideas for you to try!

Spiced cider

  • 750ml medium dry apple cider
  • 75 – 100g sugar (preferably brown)
  • 2 cinnamon sticks
  • 2 star anise (whole)
  • 3 cloves (whole)
  • 2 cardamom pods
  • 4 Tbsp dark rum

This easy recipe will certainly give off that Christmas smell. All you need to do is add all of the ingredients (except the rum) into a pot and bring to a boil. Reduce the heat and simmer until the sugar dissolves. Remove from heat, add the rum and enjoy!

Pickled Herring

  • 500g cooked herring fillets
  • 300ml water
  • 1 Tbsp salt
  • 1 Tbsp sugar
  • 10 black peppercorns (whole)
  • 2 bay leaves
  • 2 cloves (whole)
  • 3 allspice (whole)
  • 1 sliced onion
  • 1 sliced carrot
  • 4 Tbsp white vinegar

Boil the water, salt, sugar, onion and carrots. Add all the spices and boil. Allow to simmer for about 5 minutes. Remove from heat and add the vinegar. Allow the mixture to cool. Layer the fish in a glass casserole, jar or dish and pour the cooled mixture over the fish. Cover the fish properly and refrigerate for at least one day before you tuck in. The spicy scent of the mixture cooking will surely give your kitchen that Christmas smell.

Clementines in spiced cider

  • 20 clementines
  • 500ml spiced cider

A scrumptious and sweet treat that will fill your home with a festive scent, all you need to do is place your peeled clementines in a glass bowl and pour warm spiced cider over them. Make sure that your clementines are set snugly together so that they don’t float around. Cover and allow to rest for a few hours before you enjoy. Serve with whipped cream if desired.

Cooking for the holidays is not just about making food that you love. It’s also about that Christmas smell and creating the perfect atmosphere in your home for yourself, your family and friends.