Snuggling up by a cozy fire, making homemade marshmallows, trimming the tree . . . there are just so many reasons to love this time of year. With that in mind, here are some essential oil diffuser blends to make the season even more merry and bright.
They’re inspired by crackling fires, warm gingerbread, evergreen forests, spiced cider, sugar cookies, peppermint lattes and more.
I based the number of drops on the diffuser I use and the size of my room. If you have a very large room, you may want to increase the number of drops.
All the recipes are kid-safe except the ones that incorporate peppermint, which is not recommended for children under six. I put a little note next to those recipes to remind you – enjoy! 🙂
Want Pre-Made Blends Instead?
If you don’t have many of the essential oils listed below on hand and would rather buy some pre-made blends instead, Plant Therapy has a “Warm & Cozy” collection that includes:
You can buy them all together here. Now, on to the recipes!
Crackling Fire
- 2 drops black spruce essential oil (Picea Mariana) or spruce essential oil (Tsuga canadensis)
- 2 drops cedarwood essential oil (Cedrus atlantica)
- 1 drop vetiver essential oil (Vetiveria zizanoides)
Cozy Sweater
- 4 drops sandalwood essential oil – sustainably harvested (Santalum Spicatum)
- 2 drops vanilla oleoresin (Vanilla Planifolia)
Forest Boughs
- 5 drops douglas fir (Pseudotsuga menziesii) or fir needle essential oil (Abies sibirica)
- 5 drops sweet orange essential oil (Citrus sinensis) or 1 drop sweet orange essential oil and 1 drop lemon essential oil (Citrus x limon)
Deck The Halls
- 3 drops black spruce essential oil (Picea Mariana) or spruce essential oil (Tsuga canadensis)
- 3 drops lemon essential oil (Citrus x limon)
Sugar Cookie
- 5 drops vanilla oleoresin (Vanilla Planifolia)
- 1 drop sweet orange essential oil (Citrus sinensis)
Snickerdoodle
- 6 drops vanilla oleoresin (Vanilla Planifolia)
- 1 drop cinnamon leaf essential oil (Cinnamomum verum)
Cinnamon & Spice
- 2 drops cinnamon leaf essential oil (Cinnamomum verum)
- 2 drops vanilla oleoresin (Vanilla Planifolia)
- 2 drops sweet orange essential oil (Citrus sinensis)
Christmas Tree
- 3 drops douglas fir (Pseudotsuga menziesii)
- 2 drops black spruce essential oil (Picea Mariana) or spruce essential oil (Tsuga canadensis)
- 1 drop frankincense essential oil (Boswellia carteri)
Candy Cane
Not for use around children under six due to the peppermint essential oil
- 4 drops peppermint essential oil (Mentha x Piperita)
- 4 drops vanilla oleoresin (Vanilla Planifolia)
Peppermint Latte
Not for use around children under six due to the peppermint essential oil
- 2 drops peppermint essential oil (Mentha x Piperita)
- 3 drops coffee essential oil (Coffea arabica L)
- 2 drops vanilla oleoresin – optional (Vanilla Planifolia)
Warm Gingerbread
- 3 drops ginger essential oil (Zingiber officinalis))
- 2 drops cinnamon leaf essential oil (Cinnamomum verum)
- 2 drops vanilla oleoresin (Vanilla Planifolia)
- 1 drop clove essential oil (Syzygium aromaticum L)
Merry & Bright
Not for use around children under six due to the peppermint essential oil
- 3 drops peppermint essential oil (Mentha x Piperita)
- 3 drops ylang ylang essential oil (Cananga odorata)
French Vanilla Latte
This blend incorporates the rich aroma of coffee beans with notes of sweet vanilla. I’ve run out of vanilla oleoresin for now, but when my next batch arrives I’m going to test out a gingerbread latte blend. Will post it here if it’s a success!
- 6 drops coffee essential oil (Coffea arabica L)
- 3 drops vanilla oleoresin (Vanilla Planifolia)
Spiced Cider
Tip: If you love this recipe and your kids are over five, you can create a delightful variation by replacing the ginger with star anise essential oil. It smells amazing.
- 4 drops sweet orange essential oil (Citrus sinensis)
- 1-2 drops cinnamon leaf essential oil (Cinnamomum verum)
- 1 drop ginger essential oil (Zingiber officinalis)
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Lovely post, Heather! I’m curious, why is peppermint oil considered unsafe for children under 6?
Hi Carrie, peppermint contains a consitituent called 1.8, cineole that sometimes acts negatively on the temperature receptors of children’s lungs and causes slowed breathing. More info in this post on using essential oils safely with children.
Can you tell me where that diffuser is from? Do you recommend it?
It was made by GreenAir but unfortunately they discontinued it. 🙁
I’m hoping everyone keeps their pets in mind before using some of the oils. I love cedarwood but it’s highly toxic to my cats. Found out it doesn’t matter if you’re wearing it or using a diffuser. Please be safe.
I did not know the oleo resin was safe for diffusers. I thought it would clog…….. I know it does not blend well, if at all…. You have not had any problems?
Are these recipes for diffusing ok for infants? I have a 4 month old infant in the house. I know to stay away from the ones with peppermint, etc. But I’m interesting in the Forest Boughs and Deck the Halls and Christmas Tree recipes as my older kids 10 and 9 have respiratory problems especially with colds.
Hi Jennie,
Heather has a list of essential oils that are safe for children. Look up “Oils that are safe for babies and children”. There’s even a printable version. It’s very useful! Enjoy!
Chantal
Are these safe to use around cats and dogs?
The vanilla oleoresin has been discontinued by Plant Therapy. Any suggested alternatives?
Thanks for letting me know, Leah! I just updated the post with another vanilla oleoresin option 🙂
I am doing Crackling Fire today. I’m a big fan of Cedarwood and Black Spruce already and to mix them with Vetiver is a fragrance I can go for!! Thanks for all the great diffuser recipes!!
All these recipes sound great for the holidays and then some! I am doing the Crackling Fire right now and will go through all of them. Thank you for sharing.
Do you have a “recipe” for diffusing with diffusing reeds/liquid/essential oils? There are places where I’d like to diffuse an aroma without a plug-in diffuser. Thanks!
This sounds great but I googled the oils to make sure they’re safe for pets aka cat’s and it’s crazy how many thing r bad for cat’s. -_-‘ but I think I can do some of these.
I’ll just leave a few things out or add to them..I wish that the company that makes most of those oils made a cat safe oil pack like the kids one..o well I know just do my homework and all will be well. ^_^ <3
Plant Therapy has their oils marked if safe for kids, dogs and horses. However, they do not consider any essential oils safe for cats…so no “cat safe” oils.