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There are billions of fragrances in the world and everyone enjoys different ones. And they’re not all perfumy, either! Some people’s favorite scent is that of onions being browned in a pan, others’ is that of candles lit in a church. Then there are those who love certain scents simply because they make them think of something they love or just feel very positive about. Think a wet dog can’t possibly smell nice? Think again! For many people, their scent is an important part of who they are, and that’s why they spend hours upon hours choosing the right perfume or cologne and then years wearing it every single day. Whatever your favorite fragrance is and whatever your reasoning, International Fragrance Day is the Day to celebrate it!

History of International Fragrance Day

People have been enjoying certain fragrances for thousands of years. The world’s first recorded chemist was a person named Tapputi, a perfume maker who was mentioned on a stone tablet from the 2nd millennium BCE in Mesopotamia. The oldest perfumery was discovered on the island of Cyprus and dates back to the Bronze Age. In fact, this perfumery covered an estimated surface area of over 4,000m² meaning that perfume manufacturing there was on an industrial scale.

In the Book of Exodus, the Bible also describes a certain sacred perfume consisting of liquid myrrh, fragrant cinnamon, fragrant cane, and cassia. Today, France is widely considered the world center of perfume and cosmetic manufacture. As you can see, appreciating fragrances is no new concept. International Fragrance Day, on the other hand, was created relatively recently to give us the chance to appreciate the scents that play important roles in our lives.

How to celebrate International Fragrance Day

The ways of celebrating this day are virtually endless and all depend on what kind of fragrances you like best as well as what your hobbies and general tastes are. People who love fine alcohols, for example, may want to buy a nice bottle of whiskey or wine, pour it into a glass especially designed to help us enjoy the alcohol better, and then swirl it around and inhale deeply before taking a sip. If you prefer delicate, natural scents, why not take a trip down to the local florist’s and buy some fresh flowers to keep around the home or office?

If you love the scent of a cake baking, bake one, preferably one filled with sugar and spice and all things nice, so that it will be sure to fill the entire house with its warm sweetness. And if you love your dog more than anything in the world, so much you don’t mind his wet dog smell, take him out for a walk in the park, possibly a roll in the mud, and maybe even a dip in the nearby lake. You could also simply go to a nearby perfumery and check around for something new that you like. Nobody said you have to wear the same perfume every day for the rest of your life, no matter how much you love it! And if all else fails, a nice, warm bubble bath will never fail to help you enjoy your chosen aroma as it floats around in the steam.

Whatever you do, remember our nose knows best and have a delightfully fragrant day!

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