Slowly but surely, I’m coming to terms with the fact that yet another year is drawing to a close. Another Christmas and New Year’s spent away from many of our closest friends and family. I wouldn’t call myself overly sentimental about it—life moves forward, after all—but still, there are these small, nostalgic pangs that sneak in as December settles around us. And for me, nothing triggers those emotions quite like fragrance.
A single scent can act like a time machine. The right note of citrus or amber can transport me instantly to another place, another season, another memory. And during the holidays, I lean into that connection more than ever. Scents become anchors, little rituals that not only remind me of where I’ve been but also make the present moment feel richer. So today, I thought I’d share a few of my favorite holiday traditions—ones that happen to smell just as good as they feel.
The Art of Gifting (and Fragrance, Always)
Let’s start with the most obvious holiday activity: gifts. I keep running lists on my phone—virtual wish lists for Thomas and the kids that I update whenever an idea comes to me. Honestly, the Notes app has become my lifeline this time of year. And while the children’s lists often evolve (depending on the latest obsession of the week), there are a few staples I always come back to for the adults in my life.
This year, my secret weapon is the new Tiffany & Co. fragrance I’ve been wearing since New York Fashion Week. It’s elegant, modern, and impossibly fresh. The kind of scent that feels like slipping into a silk dress—it doesn’t shout, but it lingers beautifully. I love it so much that I’ve decided to tuck it into both my mom’s and my sisters’ Christmas stockings this year. If I can’t be with them in person, at least I can give them something that carries a little piece of me. And truly, if a fragrance can become part of my daily ritual, I know they’ll fall for it too.
A Cocoa Break at Bemelmans
Another tradition that has nothing to do with gifts but everything to do with indulging in simple pleasures: hot cocoa at Bemelmans Bar at The Carlyle. I’ve loved this spot for years, in every season, but there’s something extra magical about visiting during the holidays.
If you’ve never been, Bemelmans is like stepping into another era of New York. The walls are covered in whimsical murals that capture all four seasons—tiny, colorful worlds unfolding all around you. The little corner I love most depicts winter, so sitting there with a steaming cup of cocoa feels like living inside a storybook.
And let’s talk about that cocoa. It’s the only one in the city I truly love: rich but not heavy, perfectly balanced, with a fragrance that fills the room the second it arrives at your table. The first sip is a reminder that sometimes luxury isn’t about extravagance—it’s about finding the version of something simple that feels just right.
Walks Through the Park
Of course, no holiday season would feel complete without time outdoors, especially now that we live on the Upper West Side. Central Park is practically our backyard, and though I wish I could say I walk through it daily, the truth is I don’t manage it nearly as often as I’d like. Most days, my desk holds me hostage. But when I do carve out the time, it’s always worth it.
There’s something about the way the park smells in late autumn—the earthy sweetness of fallen leaves, the sharpness of crisp air—that instantly resets my energy. And then, as winter deepens and the first snow arrives, the park transforms completely. Christmas lights glow against frosted branches, footsteps crunch softly along winding paths, and for a few moments, New York feels like an enchanted snow globe. Those walks may be simple, but they’re also the moments that make the season feel real.
Why Scents Matter
All of these rituals—the thoughtful gifts, the cocoa breaks, the winter walks—are tied together by fragrance. Not just perfume, but the invisible presence of scent in everything we do. It’s the fresh sparkle of Tiffany on my wrist, the rich chocolate aroma rising from a mug, the icy clarity of December air.
Fragrance has a way of heightening experiences, locking them into memory so that when you catch the same scent years later, you’re instantly back there. It’s why I’ll always associate a certain amber note with my first holiday season in New York, or why a faint trace of pine will forever remind me of childhood mornings in front of the tree.
Closing the Year
So, as this year winds to a close, I’m leaning into these small rituals. They don’t replace the presence of loved ones, but they bring comfort, connection, and a kind of sensory richness to the season. And perhaps that’s what the holidays are really about—not big gestures or perfect settings, but the little details that make us pause, breathe, and remember.
Because when all is said and done, it’s not the presents we’ll remember most. It’s the fragrance that lingered in the air, the cocoa that warmed our hands, and the quiet walks that reminded us how beautiful even the coldest days can be.
