What would be your Top Ten Best Scents For Christmas?
At PAIRFUM London we think that It’s beginning to smell a lot like Christmas!
Would it be the smell of a fresh batch of Nutmeg, Cinnamon & Orange cookies straight from the oven?
Or, how about the scent of a wood fire crackling in the hearth?
Maybe it is the fresh green pine scent of a a real Christmas tree?
How about roasted chestnuts, I am not sure how many families still do this at home, but no Christmas fair is complete without them?
For the Bakers among us it may be the Christmas cake and or Christmas pudding
“Oranges and lemons, Say the bells of St. Clement’s”, but for some people “Oranges and cloves” say Christmas
Gingerbread for all the bakers and the decorators(cakes that is) in all of us, decorating gingerbread cookies and or houses have become a tradition for many.
Peppermint, well it must be a favourite as even Santa loves handing out candy canes, at every corner.
We could not have a – Top Ten Best Scents For Christmas – and not include Mulled Wine..
As Perfumers we would also add the smell of a crisp, bright winters day…
We all have different memories of the holidays, some will recall those same positive feelings from simply experiencing the same scents, sounds or sights. For those of you starting your own family, it is the perfect time to create new memories & create your own traditions to add to the Christmas Story.
So however or wherever you plan to celebrate the festive season, we here at PAIRFUM wish you a Happy, Healthy, Holiday.
Heroes like John Lewis (@JohnLewis), it would appear, come in all shapes and sizes, and crop up in the most unexpected places, …
Mr John Lewis a Virginia based lecturer, has become Twitter UK’s main star in their Christmas advert, …
That’s correct – this Gentleman who describes himself as a “Computer science educator, father of four, social liberal, atheist, and not a retail store“, …
That a lovely Gentleman – who describes himself as an atheist and not a retail store, should find himself very much wrapped up in the Christmas season, it has just got to make you smile, …
You will have to excuse us @JohnLewis, when we have to quote the English Poet William Cowper “God Moves in Mysterious Ways”
Every year Mr Lewis who has a Twitter following of 45k+ followers, receives thousands of tweets about the John Lewis Christmas advert, which he takes the time to reply to with wit & charm.
Mr Lewis, who has owned the Twitter handle @JohnLewis since 2007, has this year been thanked by Twitter by making him the star of the show.
So, … from everyone here at PAIRFUM London “Happy Christmas Mr Lewis” – #NotARetailStore
Nothing quite sets the scene more perfectly than a Perfumed Candle for Christmas.
Candles being used at Christmas dates from the middle ages, where a large candle was used to represent the star of Bethlehem.
Jesus is sometimes called ‘the Light of the World’ by Christians, and the start of the custom of the Advent Crown and Advent Candles is associated with this.
Candles were also used during ancient winter solstice celebrations, as a way of remembering that spring would return and the trees would bloom again.
Christmas Time, for us is the holiday to share with Friends and Family.
In other traditions their celebrations have already started, and Christmas is only a few short weeks away.
So it is time for the decorations to be taken down from the attic, for the old favourites to be put in pride of place and for some new ones to join the family.
Time to start writing the Letters to Santa, and for the adults to start our shopping lists for both Gifts, Food & Drink.
To start writing and posting cards and letters, especially to loved ones, that may not be spending the Holidays with you this year.
From a visit to a traditional Christmas market, to the switching on of the lights, perhaps a planned visit to a Panto or show.
It is such an important time of year and we have so many beautiful traditions, from Christmas Trees & Carols, to the opening of presents on Christmas morning, or the welcoming wreath on our Doors.
Everyone has their own unique way of celebrating Christmas or their seasonal Family Holidays.
However or where ever you plan to spend Christmas or your Special Holiday this Year, we here at PAIRFUM London wish you Health and Happiness xx
Sleep Sprays for a better nights rest – can they really help?
Why is it that when we most need to have a Good Nights Sleep – we are wide awake?
It has been scientifically proven that people who inhaled certain scents before and during sleep, experienced greater sleep efficiency, less restlessness during slumber, and an overall better quality of sleep.
There are a number of sleep disorders that people suffer with from Sleep Apnea, also spelled sleep Apnoea, to Insomnia, sleep deprivation, or restless legs syndrome… to name but a few. These can be very serious conditions that people need to seek medical help with. For others an inability to sleep can be cause by a number of factors – too much stress, mattress quality, room temperature, light quality, noise……
There are a number of Scents that can be used to help you relax and de-stress, and one of the best notes for this is Lavender.
Lavender oil is mainly composed of linalyl acetate and linalool, which are chemicals that are both rapidly absorbed into the bloodstream. Studies have shown that these compounds inhibit several neurotransmitters, and have a sedative and pain-relieving effect. In humans, lavender also lowers the heart rate and reduces anxiety leading to a more restful and calm nights sleep.
So with Christmas fast approaching and all the extra work that it brings along with it….
We were recently approached by a leading Magazine for an article about Trade-Fair Tips for an Entrepreneur in the field of “Wholesale Home Decor”.
Below you can read our answers to the interviewer’s questions and we will update you with the magazine’s title when the interview has been published:
“As a perfume brand, smell is obviously vital to your business model.
What do you think other brands can learn from you about attracting customers to their stalls through sensory means”?
You are absolutely right, it is all about the senses for us especially the sense of smell, but it is also very important to remember that people buy with their ‘Eyes’ also. When setting out your stand you are ‘Showcasing’ not only your ‘Products and Brand’ but also giving your potential customers, e.g. department stores and boutiques, an idea or glimpse of how it will look in their store.
It is also very important to remember that in this age of ‘Online Retail / Multi channel’ selling, that you are able to offer your customers, high-res images and well written product information and a company background story. We are now truly in the age of ‘Bricks, Clicks & More’ retail and this also applies to online wholesale in the UK.
When setting up our stand we always display our products & perfumes for the customer to try, it creates a sensory experience and invites your potential customers to ‘Stop or Pause’ in their journey around the show.
You would be surprised how may people have ‘Thanked Us’ for stopping them, as they were in the ‘Mind-set’ of having to see everything in a few short days and at the same time missing what could be their ‘Next Best Selling’ item.
We have a wonderful example of a Gentleman walking past and telling us that he thought our stand and products were ‘Wonderful’, however he did not have time to stop as he was sent by his company to look for specific products and one brand in particular. He then continued on his way as he had a lot to do that day, we were delighted to receive the wonderful compliments and thanked him. About five minutes later he arrived back at our stand, red faced and laughing to say that ‘PAIRFUM’ was the company he had been sent out to find….
Such is the nature of the business world in which we operate, that we are sometimes ‘Too Busy Working’ to achieve what we set out to do…
So,… our advice is to ‘Set out Your Stand or Stall’ to the best of your ability, always keeping in mind that we are all at some time or another ‘Customers’, and as such we love to have a wonderful shopping experience.
In an age where online wholesale is becoming more popular in the UK and worldwide, it is frequently overlooked how important the actual visiting of trade fairs still is for products we experience with our senses such as:
Skin Care (organic hand lotion, body lotion, cream, hand wash, shower gel, foam bath, soap, face cream, bath oils, cosmetics, make-up, …), and
similar products such as (small deco items, accessories, glassware / dinner ware, vases, jewellery, clothing)…..
It is more difficult for retailers to select this type of item from ‘online only’ wholesalers which is why we believe the combination of ‘bricks & clicks’ is also ideal for the wholesale scenario.
During a trade fair visit our customers engage all of their senses when selecting products for their stores:
smell
touch / feel
sight / visual (e.g. how have the trend colours been translated into patterns, decors, prints, etc.)
hearing (e.g. what do products sound like when you use then, e.g. opening the door of a wardrobe, sitting down a sofa, etc),
taste (today, gift food is a popular add-on)
“What preparations do you do prior to a trade fair?”
We have a number of things that we need to do before a Trade Fair, ranging from booking accommodation, flights & visas (if necessary), …
To arranging transport of the products (and brochures, etc) plus the show stand fixture & fittings.
That is just the basic logistics.
However, you must insure that you have spent time choosing which show to attend, and that it is the correct one for you.
If it is the one for you – then you must insure that the ‘Hall’ or ‘Area’ within the show is the right section for your product category, e.g. there is no point being in the Jewellery section when you are trying to sell Food, home decor or stationary.
There is no fool proof system or guarantee that a particular show is the right one for you or your product, but if you can visit the show as a visitor before ever attending as a supplier (some government bodies or Chambers of Commerce may provide, some financial help with this – It is always worth asking), then at the very least you have an idea what to expect and can avoid if possible making an expensive mistake.
Once you have decided to do the show and you have booked your stand, then you must make sure that you let as many people as possible know that you are exhibiting, if you already have a customer base then send them a news letter with stand number, times, date and any other information you may have for example New Product Launches or Show offers.
Have business cards, price-lists, brochures and samples (if available) – ready to hand out to potential customers.
Once that is all done, you are 99% of the way there, and remember that fairs / shows mean hours & hours of standing on your feet, so even though the shoes you have go beautifully with the outfit you have chosen, … you will probably be glad to slip into a pair of flats later on in the day….
“Who do you take to a trade fair? What roles do they fulfil and what skills do they need?”
We always take or send our best sales people, as it is imperative that they know the product inside out, and enjoy meeting and greeting customers. It is also good to remember that no one knows your products or company better than you do.. When you are first starting out, you may not have the luxury of sending people along beforehand to set up the stand and display the products for you(not unless you are very lucky).
So by contacting the show organisers and asking them what you have to do and what is or is not included in the stand cost, i.e. fixtures & fittings, electrics etc. (remember to make a list) do not be afraid to ask for help, as your fellow exhibitors who may be seasoned ‘Exhibitionists’.. are normally very helpful. It goes without saying that by setting up and breaking down the stand yourself, this is an extra expenses that you can avoid as a start-up or growing business.
“How does trade fair culture differ around the world? Is it vastly different in New York to Tokyo?”
Yes, one of the nicest things about exhibiting in another countries is that you get to meet the people and experience the culture, and the differences between a show in NY & one in Tokyo is amazing, one is full of people who are for the most part shy and retiring and the other is – Well! NY.
Don’t get us wrong NYC, is one of our favourite City’s in the World!
As Samuel Johnson the English author said:
“Sir, when a man is tired of London, he is tired of life; for there is in London all that life can afford.”
This is also true of NYC.
It was also more noticeable how the visitors to the US shows, were more willing to try something new and different.
In other countries they are more reserved and may need to see the brand or products a number of times.
So,… whatever your future plans are as an Entrepreneur in the field of ‘Wholesale Home Decor’,
“A rose by any other name would smell as sweet” is a popular reference to William Shakespeare’s play Romeo and Juliet, in which Juliet seems to argue that it does not matter that Romeo is from her family’s rival house of Montague.
Roses are widely considered one of the most beautiful flowers in the world, and for good reason.
Rose Oil is one of the most expensive perfume ingredients in the World.
The reason for this is that it takes approximately 60,000 roses to produce 1 ounce of oil
As Perfumers we get asked interesting and sometimes strange questions from time to time, you may think that one of them is “Does Ice Have a Smell”?
Unusual it may be, but not as strange as you may first think.
Why would Ice have a smell? when it is simply water frozen into a solid state…
Well your next question should be does Water have a smell?
With Christmas fast approaching and all of the things that you have to worry about, I am sure that one of them is not does Ice have a smell..
However if you are planning to offer your guests drinks that contain Ice cubes, then it may not be such a daft question after all.
So in answer to the question “Does Ice Have a Smell”? the simple answer is Yes…..
Ice will trap and hold odours from its surroundings, and this applies to naturally formed or ‘Home Made Ice’. In the case of home made Ice that is normally formed and stored in our refrigerators along side food. Then it can and may capture the wonderful aroma of your Garlic Bread.
Just to be clear like most people we do not object to the heartwarming aroma of oven baked garlic bread, but I am sure that it would not be as welcome or enticing when added to a glass of ‘Scotch on the Rocks’.
So when making or storing Ice over the Holiday period or at any time, just take note of what you are storing next to it.
A good rule of thumb is to use your ice within 3 days after it’s made, having it sitting for any longer increases the risk of it catching odours from nearby food.
The fact that Ice does trap smells or odours is also exciting for us as Perfumers
As it allows you to infuse certain notes, and Nature does it all the time in Glaciers, Frozen lakes, Mountain passes or your garden puddle.
If you would like to test this out for yourself, then why not try adding a few drops of a favourite food essence to your nest batch of Ice cubes.
You could also experiment by adding, lemon, orange, lime peel or juice to your mix.
How about a herb or spice twist, just mix them in a jug or container and then pour into your Ice moulds…
The sky is the limit – but remember they are meant to be added to a drink and should be safe to ingest…
It could also be a fun and easy way to get the children involved in the preparations, and the worst that can happen is that they have an early and naturally perfumed cold bath….
As a warm welcome to the family & friends of Pairfum London, we will send you a free gift, the e-book “Perfume” by Patrick Sueskind.
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Get a Full Refund when you later buy a full-sized bottle. Special Offer: Free Gift-Wrap (luxury bag & tissue paper) with every Perfume Experience Box.
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