Kayali’s Oudgasm Chocolate Oud 11, Prada Paradigme, Tom Ford Oud Voyager and Sol de Janeiro’s Cheirosa '59 have been named among the most “giftable fragrances” by The Fragrance Foundation (TFF).
Heading into the holiday season, the group which represents the fragrance industry has tapped its experts to create the “ultimate” guide for consumers as fragrance continues to dominate beauty purchases.
The recommendations tap into three of the biggest trends in scents: sophisticated gourmands, woody scents and ultra intense.
“The popularity of fragrance continues to grow each year with more brands and consumer excitement than ever before,” said Linda Levy, President of TFF.
“With the accessible price points of hair mists and body sprays, to the booming trend of super intense personal perfumes, fragrance is driving the holiday spirit in stores and online.
“It continues to be the star of the holiday shopping season.”
Fragrance has become the “invisible accessory”, the organisation said, “fuelled by its powerful connection to emotion, its transportive affect and the rise of universal scents”.
Gen Z are expressing themselves through scent wardrobes, made up of both luxury and popular perfumes, amplified by social media, it added.
Meanwhile, consumers are “experimenting beyond their signature scent and embracing self-expression with a wardrobe of perfumes, candles, mists and more”, said TFF.
Top gourmand fragrances for holiday season 2025
Edible scents, from savoury to sweet, have swept the fragrance landscape, according to TFF.
“From delectable perfumes to decadent whiffs of bakery-inspired candles, ‘foodie’ ingredients of vanilla, almonds, caramel, chocolate, cardamom, ginger, saffron and more, are being infused into formulations for a cosy and nostalgic holiday,” TFF said.
The “ultra intense” trend also sees longer-lasting extraits or elixirs enter the “fragrance vocabulary”.
- BrownGirlJane Chalet Eau de Parfum (key notes of white chocolate truffle, chalet plum and dark cacao)
- Carolina Herrera Good Girl Blush Eau de Parfum Bowtastic Collector's Edition (key notes of mandarin, ylang ylang, vanilla absolute and tonka bean)
- Coach Gold Parfum (key notes of pink peppercorn, almond blossom and vanilla)
- Dior Miss Dior Essence (key notes of blackberry, elderberry and jasmine bouquet)
- Kayali Oudgasm Chocolate Oud 11 Eau de Parfum Intense (key notes of orris, incense, dark cacao, cashmere wood, chocolate oud)
- LoveShackFancy Secret Crush Eau de Parfum (key notes of whipped vanilla, champagne accord and frosted chantilly)
- Marc Jacobs Perfect Absolute Eau de Parfum (key notes of caramelised fig accord, jasmine absolu and rich amber accord).
Top woody scents and leathers for holiday season 2025
Gourmand ingredients mix with leathers, liqueurs and woods “for a sophisticated finish”.
“Woody notes of oud, sandalwood and cedarwood add a smoky, sexy dimension,” said IFF.
- Aramis Intuition Eau de Parfum (key notes of grapefruit, and lavender)
- Dolce & Gabbana Devotion for Men Parfum (key notes of lavender, coffee, guaiacwood and oakmoss)
- Prada Paradigme Eau de Parfum (key notes of ambery woods, bourbon geranium and Calabrian bergamot heart)
- Jean Paul Gaultier Le Male Elixir Collector's Edition (key notes of lavender, tonka bean and benzoin)
- Tom Ford Oud Voyager Eau de Parfum (key notes of living red peony, geranium absolute and oud).
Top hair and body sprays for holiday season 2025
Hair and body fragrance continues to be a favourite among Gen Z, particularly for their playfulness.
“Lightweight, sheer fragrances are at the opposite spectrum of intense scents and perfect for layering and creating a unique scent profile,” says TFF.
“More versatile and affordable, hair and body sprays build out a fragrance wardrobe while infusing fun into the daily ritual.”
- Bath & Body Works Touch of Gold Fine Fragrance Mist (key notes of blackberries, orange blossom and tonka)
- Calvin Klein Nude Vanilla Hair and Body Mist (key notes of vanilla, pear and musk)
- Glossier Lilyhaze Body Spritz (key notes of glazed apricot, vanilla absolute and sheer amber)
- Lake and Skye 555 Strawberry + Aire Hair and Body Mist (key notes of muguet, vanilla and strawberry)
- Sol de Janeiro Cheirosa '59 Perfume Mist (key notes of vanilla orchid, sugared violet, sandalwood and whipped amber)
- Snif Extra Whip Body Mist (key notes of icing sugar, whipped cream, vanilla, sandalwood and musk)
- Victoria's Secret Very Sexy Scarlet Fine Fragrance Mist (key notes of rose petals, jasmine sambac and vanilla milk).
Top home fragrances for holiday season 2025
Meanwhile, scent in the home is being used to set the scene for Thanksgiving and Christmas.
“Candles remain a top gift choice with beautifully sculpted vessels to refillable versions for the eco-conscious consumer in mind,” said TFF.
“Reed diffusers and votives add additional layers of scent throughout.”
- LAFCO Eight Nights' Light Candle (key notes of white rum, fir needles and iced musk)
- Blueme Joy Diffuser (key notes of black plum and cassis)
- Diptyque Sapin Candle (key notes of Siberian pine, cedar and patchouli)
- D.S. and Durga Portable Fireplace Candle (key notes of cedar, pine and oak)
- NETTE Fete Candle (key notes of gingerbread, frozen berries, fir balsam and clove leaf)
- The Maker Café Candle (key notes of oud, chocolate, coffee bean and cardamom)
- Slatkin + Co. Garland Berry Candle (key notes of fir needles, balsam, holly berries and blackberries)
- NEST Holiday Diffuser (key notes of pomegranate, mandarin orange, pine, cloves and cinnamon)
- The New Savant Snow Gazer (key notes of coconut cream, frothed milk and brown sugar cube)
- Glasshouse Night Before Christmas Candle (key notes of blackcurrant, plum, lemon and oak).