I find that my idea of what Halloween smells like is very much demographically driven :) For me, Halloween smells like sweet, earthy piles of decomposing magnolia leaves, magnolia flower petals and magnolia seed pods. Especially the seed pods. They are very odd looking things, that just seem to belong to the fall/Halloween season and the actual seeds in them emit a very distinct scent when they are crushed.
I remember stepping on the red squishy things when I was younger, just so that I could get a strong whiff of that scent. I also remember stepping on the spiny pods themselves, which was not pleasant in any kind of way... I also remember my brother and his friends using them as weapons... oh how diverse the uses for these things were!
But I digress, I really miss that scent. I live further north of where I used to live, pre-hurricane Katrina, and there aren't very many magnolia trees at all.
The other Halloween scent that I distinctly remember is that of all the old paper decorations that my dad would pull out of the attic every year. It also had a very distinct smell, almost like a library. I remember opening up the old, taped and re taped boxes and inhaling the scent of the contents deeply. The smell was an aromatic memory trigger, just waiting bring back images of past Halloweens :)
Now, Halloween smells like clove candles and paint and Froggy's fog in "Gothic" scent :) It's a nice new heady combination. But, if a candle company could ever recreated those magnolia scents, I'd go broke buying as many as I could :)
So, what does Halloween smell like to you? I'm very interested to hear everyone's responses :)
Happy Haunting!
To me Halloween smells like a crisp Autumn evening. You know how you can smell rain? It's not the rain smell but something similar.
ReplyDeleteThe smell in the air is cool swirled with the rot of fallen leaves, the decay of summer's leftovers and a bit woody.
I grew up in the country and now I live in town but the smell I relate to still exists. I love when I get the first hint {sniff} of Fall.
I second your motion in regards to paper Hallowe'en decorations. Also, ceramic jack o' lanterns caked in years of old wax. Another iconic odor.
ReplyDeleteBut, overall, it's the smell of charring pumpkin in autumn night air.
I agree. Halloween is more of a autumn smell. I even heard of a candle that smelled like candy corn.
ReplyDeleteWhat a wonderful post! I think to me halloween smells like night air - cold, brisk, leafy. But, I think the smell that will always bring back the best memories is the smell of halloween candy. That wonderful aroma that wafted out of the pillowcase chock full of m&m's, sweet tarts, milk duds and lollipops. Sigh...that would be a nice candle scent!
ReplyDeleteDefinitely dry maple and oak leaves with the wood smoke of a bon fire
ReplyDeletedrifting past...and at our house- burnt pumpkin seeds!
Halloween smells like candy corn to me :)
ReplyDeleteI live in the north and I think of Halloween with festive smells mixed with a fall evening. Like cider, cinnamon, spices and cool crisp air and breezes. I hear the trees rustle with what is left on their branches. I always make cider and treats on Halloween and the days building up and take pumpkin patches and corn mazes as well.
ReplyDeleteWhat an interesting thought! The smell of Halloween... Hmm... To me it's a combination of scents. Halloween would smell like candy, especially chocolate. This would be mixed with a kind of smokey leaf burning smell. Add in some spiced pumpkin and cider and there you go!
ReplyDeleteYou might be familiar with a perfume called "Halloween" which I've strangely never smelled. It comes in a lovely purple bottle and I feel somewhat obligated to own it, even if I don't like the scent! I should be smelling like Halloween. :) Anyway, it's usually for sale all over ebay.
I have to agree with October Boy....There is just that certain tang in the air that's hard to define. Dry maple leaves & even the lawn mixed with the crisp coolness at night & distant bonfires.
ReplyDeleteWow! Wonderful responses! It seems that the consensus is that Halloween smells very earthy with a hint of candy and a puff of smoke :) I wish that I had candle making skills, because I'd hope right on creating this; I bet it would smell AMAZING! Maybe that can be a new hobby that I pick up :)
ReplyDelete@ Justine, I read the description on that perfume and it sounds like it would smell lovely! I just might have to bite the bullet and order it :)
ReplyDeleteA candle that's just been put out plus pumpkin pie spices, candy corn, cider, fog machine musk and rubber masks. Gently mix.
ReplyDeleteA candle that's just been put out plus pumpkin pie spices, candy corn, cider, fog machine musk and rubber masks. Gently mix.
ReplyDeleteTo me halloween smells earthy and sweet with a chill.
ReplyDelete