How Scenting Can Turn Predictable Holiday Decorations into Something Special

There is no denying that smell is one of the key triggers of memory. With this in mind, there is no wonder that when a sweet aroma wafts in our general direction we are brought back to family dinners and camping trips. Psychologically, the power of smell can create a mood too, which is why scenting the workplace with specially chosen aromas has become an important part of interior office design.

In truth, the idea of introducing scent to induce a mood is nothing new, with home owners having brought pleasant smelling items into the home for centuries, just to make living there a little more enjoyable. However, the strategic use of smell in the work place is relatively new, not just for retailers but for commercial offices too.

It is more than just a matter of introducing indoor plants that smell nice, but infusing the air with carefully chosen scents with the distinct intention of creating the ideal working environment. This is especially popular during the holiday season, when the impact of commercial christmas decorations can be enhanced by the smell of the occasion.

The whole point to the exercise is to create a more inspiring place to work. The fact that so many people get excited by this time of year means that a wave of enthusiasm and positivity exists that, if harnessed, can be hugely beneficial in terms of productivity. That may sound slightly cynical, but whether we are talking about an office, a cafe or a company reception area, the effect is the same.

In numerous research projects carried out in recent decades, the results have been consistent in highlighting the psychological effects of smells. From encouraging an increase in sales in retail stores to contributing to a happier office floor, the overall consequence is positive for everyone concerned.

In fact, smell has even become a major aspect of marketing and branding. Smell has been identified as one of the most influential senses when making a decision. For companies that are seeking to develop a strong and distinctive identity and a long lasting relationship with consumers, smell is therefore important. Soap is a perfect example of branding with smell, with shoppers being drawn to a particular brand subconsciously.

The power of scent is significant then, which is why using appropriate smells during any particular time of year has become so popular. Christmas is one of the most obvious times where this technique is made good use of.

By releasing Christmas related aromas, the associations that we make with home and family on this special occasion come back to us once again. The office almost seems like home. The technique has been perfected thanks to the development of micro particles from scented oils. These are different to the aerosol canisters that are used to deodorize the air in a room, for example, because the particles used in them are much heavier. In fact, they are so large that a residue falls onto surfaces, leaving a sticky, oily film.

Thanks to modern, hi tech scent dispensing systems, the oil particles are as much as 50 times smaller, ensuring that the scent lingers longer on the air and does leave any sticky residue on tables, work tops, and computer keyboards. This technology also ensures that the smell is distributed more evenly, not just wafting in a strong cloud in certain corners of the office or work place.

Of course, when it comes to the holiday season, there is little point in using the scents of common indoor plants, like flowers. There are specific aromas that suit the occasion, such as ginger used in gingersnaps, or cinnamon and vanilla scents that are often used in traditional mulled wine.

To complement the traditional decorations, the smells of pines and birch are also used, ensuring the impact of the commercial christmas decorations that have been put up is maximized. The marriage of the three senses of sight, hearing and smell, through the decorations, holiday music and seasonal scents, can have a huge impact.

Little wonder then, that scenting is valued so highly, if not to increase the impact of branding, the level of productivity and degree of positivity, then to increase the sense of occasion and the high spirits that surround it.