Trust me, if there is one thing I know as a beauty editor who specialises in all things scent, it's just how difficult it is to buy fragrance gifts for Christmas. Truthfully, it's hard enough settling on the best perfume to buy for yourself, let alone trying to buy a fragrance for someone else. I get it—perfume is personal, and it's easy to make the wrong choice.
That being said, however, there's no doubt that perfume is up there with the ultimate Christmas gifts. Whether your giftee prefers floral perfumes, woody fragrances or skin scents, luckily for you, I spend most of my days testing and trialling the best perfumes in existence. As a result, I know exactly what perfumes are good enough to please, well, everyone. In my expert opinion, not a single one of the perfumes on this list could be deemed a dud by anyone—making this a very tight edit of the ultimate perfume Christmas gifts.
So, without further ado, these are the 32 perfumes that are guaranteed to put you in your loved ones' good books this Christmas...
Floral & Classic
Key notes: Bergamot, pear, ambrette, aldehydes, jasmine, rose, rosemary, violet, orris, vanilla, musk, moss
What it smells like: Merit Retrospect is a truly unique scent. It has a slightly vintage profile without becoming dusty and powdery. It opens with a burst of juicy pear and then develops into an intense, warm, complex floral that sits really close to the skin. It is worn-in, dishevelled and unashamedly cool. It is like sticking your nose into a vintage Birkin that has seen leaky bottles of perfumes and has carried home weekly bouquets of flowers for many, many years.
Who it's for: This is the cool-girl perfume of 2024. It's one for those who don't want to smell like everyone else, appreciate the empowering properties of fragrance and who ooze effortless glamour.
Key notes: Rose centifolia, cocoa, oud
Like waking up on winter morning to a huge bouquet of velvety red roses and the biggest box of creamy, Belgian chocolates you've ever laid eyes on.
Key notes: Mandarin, bergamot, pear, violet petal, lavandin, floral bouquet, sandalwood, patchouli, musk, vanilla
Soft, sweet, powdery and beautifully light—Palatine is a gem.
Key notes: Mandarin, star jasmine (accents of strawberries, peaches and apricots), ambery woods
What it smells like: You might already be familiar with the aroma of Miss Dior Eau de Parfum, but this Parfum iteration is punchier, more luxurious and a whole lot more special. It smells like the most beautiful bridal bouquet cushioned with rich silk—and its moreish nature is unparalleled. It's the sort of perfume that makes you want to empty the entire bottle all over yourself.
Who it's for: Those who appreciate a classic intense floral will go weak at the knees for Miss Dior Parfum. It has the same universal allure as the Eau de Parfum—but this time with a heavy dose of sex appeal.
Key notes: Ozonic accord, vanilla duo, vanilla orchid
Fresh, floral and warm—Floral Gorgeous Orchid is like a meadow walk on a warm spring day.
Key notes: Bergamot essence, orange blossom, lily, vanilla, ylang-ylang
Sure, this one is velvety and floral, but its sweetness swaddles you up in a cloak of warming comfort.
Expensive-smelling & Woody
Key notes: Chamomile, clary sage, cassis, lychee
What it smells like: Prado is the Spanish word for 'meadow', but don't let that trick you into thinking this is a vibrant, green scent. It takes inspiration from the meadows depicted in classical European art. It is somewhat fresh and sense-clearing, but also woody and herby. To me, it is reminiscent of wet bark, wild herbs and moss after a rain shower.
Who it's for: I mean, isn't this just the chicest bottle of perfume you have ever seen? It is, frankly, a piece of art—and something I absolutely want to showcase in my home. It is for the minimalist who appreciates the finer things (as well as a great fresh-woody scent).
Key notes: Sweet violet, palo santo, frankincense, myrrh, ambrette, ambrox
A little bit sweet, a little bit smoky—it embodies all of the cool, bohemian vibes of the Californian desert.
Key notes: Rose water, almond, sambac jasmine
If you're looking for a seriously luxurious fragrance to gift, this sweet, creamy, intense rose is absolutely it.
Key notes: Artemisia, fir, leather
What it smells like: I am not sure I have ever smelled Christmas perfume quite this good. It smells like the freshest shower you have ever taken. Like walking through a sparkling Christmas Tree farm where the pine needles are lightly dusted with sweet, shimmering frost.
Who it's for: It's the perfect choice for those who are bored of typical Christmas scents—it's sweet without being gourmand, woody without being intense and beautifully fresh without being aquatic.
Warm & Sweet
Key notes: Lemon, centifolia rose, patchouli
What it smells like: Don't be deterred by the mentions of rose in the name of this perfume—its inspiration actually comes from the desert rose, a rare (and beautiful) sand formation. Instead of being floral, it smells syrupy-sweet and dry—like sipping a glass of flat Coco-Cola, garnished with a slice of lemon, on a warm day.
Who it's for: Although sweet, this is not gourmand and, as a result, comes across very grown-up. It's for the chic woman who gravitates towards fun, playful sweetness in fragrance.
Key notes: Lily, georgywood, moraea ciliata, osmanthus flower, ylang ylang, magnolia flower
A sugary-sweet floral bouquet.
Key notes: Vanilla infusion (woody), vanilla caviar (sweet), vanilla absolute, lavender
Warm, empowering and comforting.
Key notes: Neroli, jasmine, cherry accord, rose, oakmoss, ambroxon, patchouli
A watery-sweet, wearable rose.
Key notes: Vanilla, cedarwood, tonka bean
What is smells like: I have written at length about this fragrance over the past few weeks because I genuinely believe it is one of the best vanilla perfumes I have come across in many years. It is hard to create a vanilla scent that doesn't come across as cloyingly sweet or gourmand—and yet Victoria Beckham has done it. It has a cool vanilla core that sits on a bed of woody freshness to keep things wearable and non-headache-inducing.
Who it's for: Truly, I can't imagine a soul who wouldn't like this perfume—to me it is one of the most wearable, soft and endearing vanilla scents I have ever come across. If you're buying for someone (or are someone) who leans towards cosy comforters, look no further.
Soft & Skin-like
Key notes: Matcha tea accord, fig, vetiver, cedarwood, bitter orange
If you want a green, creamy skin scent that is going to earn you countless compliments, this is it.
Key notes: Ambrette, violet, sandalwood, magnolia, musk, amber
The longer-lasting, older sister to the original Mojave Ghost, the Absolu is the ultimate effortless fragrance choice.
Key notes: Butterfly lily, miracle berry, oakwood, patchouli
What it smells like: Far from your normal skin scent, don't expect creamy softness here. Instead, Barénia is an Hermès take on a skin-like fragrance. It's unimposing and sits close to the skin, but it is also sparkling, fun and seriously expensive-smelling thanks to a patchouli heart. It clings to your skin all day long and leaves you never wanting to let it go.
Who it's for: Barénia is the one perfume I am recommending to absolutely everyone who comes to me asking for fragrance advice this season. It is totally inoffensive, entirely non-divisive and utterly beautiful.
Key notes: Green mandarin, angelica seeds, ambrette, rose, musk
An effervescent bouquet of super-light florals that dances over the nose and sparkles like a De Beers diamond—it smells like you, just more luxe.
Key notes: Iso E Super, iris
Molecule 01 might be one of the best skin scents of all time, but this iris version is softer, more powdered and is going to earn you way more compliments.
Zingy & Fresh
Key notes: Mitcham mint, geranium, labdanum, amyris, fir balsam, cedar wood, box tree, patchouli, musk accord, holy grass, sandalwood
Spirit is like a head-clearing forest walk on a cool, crisp morning.
Key notes: Champaca, neroli, bamboo, rice, green tea
Somewhat citrusy but also beautifully soft and creamy, Champaca is like taking in a deep lungful of pure happiness.
Key notes: Grapefruit, mint, blood mandarin, rose absolute, cinnamon, spice, leather, wood, amber, Indian patchouli
What it smells like: If you have never had the joy of experiencing Colonia, buckle up—it is like the freshest, most expensive white linen you have ever encountered. It is crisp, sun-lit, light-on-the-nose and seriously, seriously special. Citruses keep it water-like and zingy, while woods and amber allow them to merge with the skin in a way that would make anyone believe you've always smelled like that.
Who it's for: Rumour has it this was Audrey Hepburn's go-to scent—and it is totally genderless. It can be worn with a super-glam evening look and also with a simple white shirt and jeans combination.
Key notes: Lemon, coconut, cyclamen, mimosa, tiare, tonka beans, cedarwood
Warming, sun-soaked and joyous, Solar Essay is like a holiday in a bottle—total mental escapism.
Key notes: Bergamot, green leaf, pear stem, fig, coconut milk, iris, blonde woods, tonka bean, moss
This one is freshly green, somewhat creamy and a whole lot intriguing.
Deep & Warming
Key notes: Rose, jasmine, citrus, aldehydes, vanilla
What it smells like: You likely don't need me to tell you what No. 5 smells like considering it is probably the most iconic and famous perfume ever made. However, I'll try my best to put it in a way you might not have considered before: to me, No. 5 is a hit of all-encompassing power. It possesses a sharp soapiness wrapped up in a cloud of floral smoke.
Who it's for: I want you to put aside any preconceptions you have about No. 5. It isn't only for an older demographic. In fact, it is for anyone who wants to feel really great about themselves. And, of course, for those who don't mind smelling their own perfume all day—it's intense, after all.
Key notes: Juniper, ginger, nutmeg, cypress, chamomile, cistus, myrtle, sandalwood, iris, amber
Woody, cosy and a real neck-nuzzling scent, Tudor is reminiscent of Liberty's grand wooden interiors.
Key notes: Cinnamon, dates, vetiver, sandalwood, labdanum, amber
This is, without question, the most wearable amber scent I have ever encountered—it is warming, spicy and totally addictive.
Key notes: Lavender, orange blossom, ylang-ylang, vanilla, white musks
What it smells like: APOM sits somewhere between a skin scent and deeper, warming, expensive-smelling fragrance. It possesses all of the sweet, comforting properties of a skin scent but also the rich, powdery, resinous depth and intensity of something more luxurious and special. APOM stands for A Part Of Me—and that's exactly how this fragrance feels from first spritz.
Who it's for: Those who like their perfumes to whisper (rather than shout) will fall in love with APOM, particularly for days when they want to feel extra special.
Key notes: Wheat, tobacco, honey
Smoky, sweet, boozy—it's just like an old fashioned.
Key notes: Ginger, cardamom, tonka
Expect a deep, spicy, creamy dose of comfort.
Key notes: Oud, saffron, musk
Like a plume of thick, spice-laced smoke.
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