At James & Co we often find ourselves retreating indoors as the evenings grow longer and the air turns chilly. While it’s tempting to shut out the cold and hibernate a little, viewing winter as a season for welcoming others into your home can lift those wintry blues, and give you something to look forward to. Experimenting with beautiful home fragrances can be a wonderful way to share quality time with your teenager, especially on evenings when you both need to unwind.
Take your Time
Teenagers are naturally curious about self-care and personal expression, and home fragrance can be a lovely way to explore both. Lighting a candle or adding a few drops of oil to a diffuser isn’t just about creating a pleasant aroma; it’s about setting an atmosphere that reflects your personality or mood. It also provides a great starting point for conversation - perhaps you could kick things off by describing your signature scent and why it appeals to you.
Encourage your teen to choose scents that mean something to them. Floral notes like rose or peony can feel comforting and familiar, or you could treat yourself to our luxury autumn diffuser which is a lovely choice for this time of year. The key is to let them experiment without feeling rushed - fragrance is deeply personal and discovering what you both love can become a bonding experience in itself. Try asking what it is about a scent that they love the most - does it remind them of a special person or place? This should help conversation flow by giving you a focal point for your chat.
Unwind Together
Exploring fragrance together can be particularly helpful if your teen is feeling stressed (or you are as a parent!). Perhaps it’s exam time, or an especially hectic week, and you would both benefit from taking some time-out. Scents such as lavender and chamomile can create a relaxing atmosphere and promote a good night’s sleep - our Calm Reed Diffuser is a perfect choice for this.
Discover Memories and Moments
Connecting scent to specific memories is another great way to spark conversation with your teenager. You might want to take turns describing what each scent reminds you of - a seaside holiday, a walk through the woods, a favourite cosy jumper. These sensory connections often evoke meaningful memories and stories - helping you both to relax and enjoy reminiscing together. To bring a fun twist, you could create a ‘DIY scent bar’, laying out different candles, diffusers, or even small bowls of dried petals and essential oils.
Enjoy a Full Pamper Evening
Could you make your fragrance ritual part of a wider pamper evening? You could both change into comfy loungewear, put on a face mask, and let your favourite candle or diffuser set the mood while you paint your nails or share stories from the week. It doesn’t have to be elaborate, just a few small treats to make the evening feel special.
So perhaps it’s time for a little breather where conversation and togetherness are encouraged. Doing this through a shared love of fragrance is such a simple and relaxing way to do just that - it could even become a little family tradition!
Let us know if these ideas worked for you - we’d love to hear your thoughts
