Bogleheads version: Fall Cinnamon Scented Pine Cones etc...

[rebellovw]

It is that time of year - getting colder- stores now selling those lovely smelling $$ scented pine cones, brooms etc. Just at Sprouts - and the broom was 5.99 - with inflation all the costs are up.

I'm a sucker for these and usually buy a couple of bags of pinecones - but now they are just too expensive - not to mention when you get home and the scent isn't strong enough to notice.

If you don't like them - please move on.

Now - what do Bogleheads do instead of these costly store gotchas?

Anyhow- just looking for low cost options to get that awesome scent.

Thank you.

[lgerla]

You can buy cinnamon sticks and boil some on the stove. I haven't priced the sticks recently though.

I would say candles, but they are expensive too. Maybe a plug in.

Or make some cinnamon rolls or an apple pie. Yum.

[rockstar]

I like holiday food. I buy enough non-perishable this time of year to last me year round. Time to stock up on Pumpkin Tea.

[runner3081]

Michael's and Hobby Lobby are places to check. Would never buy those kinds of things at a grocery store.

[rebellovw]

You can buy cinnamon sticks and boil some on the stove. I haven't priced the sticks recently though.

I would say candles, but they are expensive too. Maybe a plug in.

Or make some cinnamon rolls or an apple pie. Yum.

Thank you - yeah I did light some nice cinnamon candles yesterday - that did the trick.

[rebellovw]

I like holiday food. I buy enough non-perishable this time of year to last me year round. Time to stock up on Pumpkin Tea.

Thanks - I'll look for that.

[rebellovw]

Michael's and Hobby Lobby are places to check. Would never buy those kinds of things at a grocery store.

Thanks - we do have a Hobby Lobby - perhaps I'll check them out. Yeah - for some reason the stores here make buying the scented items hard to pass up. I never bought them where I used to live - at least I don't recall buying them.

[retiredjg]

I would use an essential oil or essential oil holiday blend. With a diffuser or diffusing sticks. Or re-scent your old pine cones.

Essential oils come in a variety of price ranges. I would avoid the very cheap ones, but I'm not sure that "top of the line" is required for this.

[rebellovw]

I would use an essential oil or essential oil holiday blend. With a diffuser or diffusing sticks. Or re-scent your old pine cones.

Essential oils come in a variety of price ranges. I would avoid the very cheap ones, but I'm not sure that "top of the line" is required for this.

Thank you. I like the re-scent the old cones idea - I place them with my firewood (bin) (and eventually throw in the fireplace.) I can simply throw some more cinnamon on them.

What is important is that it doesn't smell "chemically".

Thanks again.

[retiredjg]

What is important is that it doesn't smell "chemically".

Definitely don't go cheap then. You'll probably want something that is steam distilled rather than solvent extracted.

I'm fond of do-terra products, but they are not cheap. https://www.doterra.com/US/en/p/cinnamon-bark-oil. However, I think you would only need a drop or two on a pine cone. Might last for several years.

[rebellovw]

What is important is that it doesn't smell "chemically".

Definitely don't go cheap then. You'll probably want something that is steam distilled rather than solvent extracted.

I'm fond of do-terra products, but they are not cheap. https://www.doterra.com/US/en/p/cinnamon-bark-oil. However, I think you would only need a drop or two on a pine cone. Might last for several years.

Awesome! Thank you.

[runner3081]

Michael's and Hobby Lobby are places to check. Would never buy those kinds of things at a grocery store.

Thanks - we do have a Hobby Lobby - perhaps I'll check them out. Yeah - for some reason the stores here make buying the scented items hard to pass up. I never bought them where I used to live - at least I don't recall buying them.

They almost always have 20-40% off coupons as well.

[Horologium]

I don't have the link anymore, but I make a potpourri that smells great. We have it simmering all through the Fall and into the winter months.

You can google it and I'm sure you'll get some good hits, but here is the "recipe" I have on a post-it note:
- 1 orange,
- 2 cinnamon sticks,
- 1/4 teaspoon cloves,
- 1/2 teaspoon nutmeg,
- 1 cup cranberries

I put these ingredients in an old crock pot and enough water to cover them. Within a couple of hours, the house smells wonderful.

[DarthSage]

I used to love simmering spices on top of the woodstove. Added bonus, wood heat can be very drying, so adding moisture to the air was helpful.

P.S. Cinnamon sticks and cloves are likely cheaper in a craft store versus a grocery store. I don't know if the dollar store sells them, but they might have a fall potpourri type thing that would smell nice when heated (in a crockpot or old pan, if you don't have a woodstove).

[rebellovw]

I don't have the link anymore, but I make a potpourri that smells great. We have it simmering all through the Fall and into the winter months.

You can google it and I'm sure you'll get some good hits, but here is the "recipe" I have on a post-it note:
- 1 orange,
- 2 cinnamon sticks,
- 1/4 teaspoon cloves,
- 1/2 teaspoon nutmeg,
- 1 cup cranberries

I put these ingredients in an old crock pot and enough water to cover them. Within a couple of hours, the house smells wonderful.

Thank you - great idea.

[rebellovw]

I used to love simmering spices on top of the woodstove. Added bonus, wood heat can be very drying, so adding moisture to the air was helpful.

P.S. Cinnamon sticks and cloves are likely cheaper in a craft store versus a grocery store. I don't know if the dollar store sells them, but they might have a fall potpourri type thing that would smell nice when heated (in a crockpot or old pan, if you don't have a woodstove).

Thanks very much - I'm going to check out that craft store finally.

I knew Bogleheads would have the answers.

Thanks folks.