From Perfumes to Candles, Festive Scents are in the Air
Making Fragrance The Star on Everyone’s Gift List
NEW YORK, Nov. 24, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — Fragrance lovers will rejoice this season as Holiday 2025 heralds in one of the most festive and fragrant gift-giving times of the year. From reimagined classics and culinary-inspired scents to fun, wearable formats such as mists and body sprays, The Fragrance Foundation (TFF) has expertly curated the shopper’s ultimate guide. With noteworthy trends of Sophisticated Gourmands and Woody Scents to the Ultra Intense, Holiday 2025 will be defined by fragrances that capture the essence of the season.
“The popularity of fragrance continues to grow each year with more brands and consumer excitement than ever before. With the accessible price points of hair mists and body sprays to the booming trend of super intense personal perfumes, fragrance is driving the holiday spirit in stores and online. It continues to be the star of the holiday shopping season,” said Linda G. Levy, President of The Fragrance Foundation.
Fragrance’s surge as a must-have has been fueled by its powerful connection to emotion, its transportive affect and the rise of universal scents. Plus a new generation of Gen Z shoppers expressing themselves through a collection of popular and luxury brands, amplified by social media. As the “invisible accessory,” consumers are experimenting beyond their signature scent and embracing self-expression with a wardrobe of perfumes, candles, mists and more.
For gift-giving, The Fragrance Foundation spotlights the top trends and fragrance notes from members’ newest and iconic scents.
Sophisticated Gourmands, Woods and Ultra Intense
The Sophisticated Gourmand trend of edible scents from savory to sweet has swept the fragrance landscape. From delectable perfumes to decadent whiffs of bakery-inspired candles, “foodie” ingredients of vanilla, almonds, caramel, chocolate, cardamom, ginger, saffron and more are being infused into formulations for a cozy and nostalgic holiday. Not syrupy but subtly sweet, these ingredients mix with leathers, liqueurs and woods for a sophisticated finish. Woody notes of oud, sandalwood, and cedarwood add a smoky, sexy dimension.
For those fragrance lovers who love a bold, statement making fragrance, the sheer intensity of this season’s potent perfumes take a favorite note or formulation to the extreme with the Ultra Intense trend. Longer lasting, Extraits or Elixirs are now the new fragrance vocabulary.
- BrownGirlJane Chalet Eau de Parfum; Key notes of white chocolate truffle, chalet plum and dark cacao. Available at Sephora, MSRP $102
- Carolina Herrera Good Girl Blush Eau de Parfum Bowtastic Collector’s Edition: Key notes of mandarin, ylang ylang, vanilla absolute and tonka bean. Available at Macy’s, MSRP $160
- Coach Gold Parfum; Key notes of pink peppercorn, almond blossom, and vanilla. Available at Ulta, MSRP $138
- Dior Miss Dior Essence; Key Notes of blackberry, elderberry and jasmine bouquet. Available at Saks Fifth Avenue, MSRP $198
- Kayali Oudgasm Chocolate Oud | 11 Eau de Parfum Intense; Key notes of orris, incense, dark cacao, cashmere wood, chocolate oud. Available at Sephora, MSRP $140
- LoveShackFancy Secret Crush Eau de Parfum; Key notes of whipped vanilla, champagne accord and frosted chantilly. Available at Sephora, MSRP $125
- Marc Jacobs Perfect Absolute Eau de Parfum; Key notes of caramelized fig accord, jasmine absolu and rich amber accord. Available at Macy’s, MSRP$170
Woody Scents and Leathers
- Aramis Intuition Eau de Parfum; Key notes of grapefruit, and lavender. Available at Bloomingdale’s, MSRP $130
- Dolce and Gabbana Devotion for Men Parfum; Key notes of lavender, coffee, guaiacwood and oakmoss. Available at Ulta, MSRP $148
- Prada Paradigme Eau de Parfum; Key notes of ambery woods, bourbon geranium and Calabrian bergamot heart. Available at Nordstrom, MSRP $165
- Jean Paul Gaultier Le Male Elixir Collector’s Edition; Key notes of lavender, tonka bean and benzoin. Available at Macy’s, MSRP $180
- Tom Ford Oud Voyager Eau de Parfum; Key notes of living red peony, geranium absolute and oud. Available at Nordstrom, MSRP $445
Hair and Body Sprays
The trend in wearing your perfume from head to toe is a favorite among Gen Z, especially younger female consumers. These lightweight, sheer fragrances are at the opposite spectrum of Intense scents and perfect for layering and creating a unique scent profile. Fragrance connoisseurs enjoy the playfulness of the fun format and layering their favorite fragrance. More versatile and affordable, hair and body sprays build out a fragrance wardrobe while infusing fun into the daily ritual.
- Bath and Body Works Touch of Gold Fine Fragrance Mist; Key notes of blackberries, orange blossom and tonka. Available at www.bathandbodyworks.com, MSRP $18.95
- Calvin Klein Nude Vanilla Hair and Body Mist; Key notes of vanilla, pear and musk. Available at JC Penney, MSRP $38
- Glossier Lilyhaze Body Spritz; Key notes of glazed apricot, vanilla absolute, sheer amber. Available at Sephora, MSRP $35
- Lake and Skye 555 Strawberry + Aire Hair and Body Mist; Key notes of muguet, vanilla and strawberry. Available at Ulta, MSRP $32
- Sol de Janeiro Cheirosa ’59 Perfume Mist; Key notes of vanilla orchid, sugared violet, sandalwood and whipped amber. Available at Sephora, MSRP $39
- Snif Extra Whip Body Mist; Key notes of icing sugar, whipped cream, vanilla, sandalwood and musk. Available at Ulta, MSRP $34
- Victoria’s Secret Very Sexy Scarlet Fine Fragrance Mist; Key notes of rose petals, jasmine sambac and vanilla milk. Available at www.victoriassecret.com, MSRP $25
Home for the Holidays
Scenting the home for the holidays is a tradition in and of itself. Surrounding the setting with scent adds warmth to any occasion. Candles remain a top gift choice with beautifully sculpted vessels to refillable versions for the eco-conscious consumer in mind. Reed diffusers and votives add additional layers of scent throughout.
- LAFCO Eight Nights’ Light Candle; Key notes of white rum, fir needles and iced musk. Available at bluemercury, MSRP $75
- Blueme Joy Diffuser; Key Notes of black plum and cassis. Available at Saks Fifth Avenue, MSRP $90
- Diptyque Sapin Candle; Key notes of Siberian pine, cedar and patchouli. Available at bluemercury, MSRP $88
- D.S. and Durga Portable Fireplace Candle; Key notes of cedar, pine and oak. Available at Bloomingdale’s, MSRP $75
- NETTE Fete Candle; Key notes of gingerbread, frozen berries, fir balsam and clove leaf. Available at Sephora, MSRP $82
- The Maker Café Candle; Key notes of oud, chocolate, coffee bean and cardamom Available at Bluemercury, MSRP $40
- Slatkin + Co. Garland Berry Candle; Key notes of fir needles, balsam, holly berries and blackberries. Available on QVC, MSRP $30
- NEST Holiday Diffuser; Key notes of pomegranate, mandarin orange, pine, cloves and cinnamon. Available at Bloomingdale’s; MSRP $50
- The New Savant Snow Gazer; Key notes of coconut cream, frothed milk and brown sugar cube. Available at www.thenewsavant.com, MSRP $42
- Glasshouse Night Before Christmas Candle; Key notes of blackcurrant, plum, lemon and oak. Available at Bloomingdale’s, MSRP $60
About The Fragrance Foundation
The Fragrance Foundation (TFF) is the industry’s preeminent organization that celebrates fragrance creation from the people to the products that bring captivating scents to life. With its mission to inspire the world to discover the passion and artistry of fragrance, TFF sets standards of excellence and unites the American fragrance industry. A not-for-profit trade association, the Foundation counts 150+ of the nation’s most foremost fragrance brands including independent brands, fragrance houses, and retailers as members, with a commitment to representation and inclusion across its membership. For more information, please visit www.fragrance.org and our social channels including @FragranceFoundation on Instagram, Facebook and YouTube.
SOURCE The Fragrance Foundation
