Cologne As A Christmas Gift: A Good Idea?

Cologne is a popular gift for Christmas, with many gift sets available for men and women. However, choosing the right scent can be challenging, especially when buying for someone else. It's important to consider the recipient's personality, age, and lifestyle when selecting a cologne. For example, cheerful women may prefer floral scents, while younger women often opt for mild fruity and citrus aromas. Active night owls might favour exotic floral, woody, or musky perfumes, whereas those who are busiest during the day may prefer something fresher, like citrus. It's also a good idea to find out if they already have a favourite fragrance and opt for a special edition or a similar scent.

Choosing the right scent

If you are buying for someone with an active nightlife, they may prefer perfumes with exotic flowers, wood, or musk notes. These deeper scents are also ideal for special occasions. For those who are more active during the day, a citrus fragrance may be a better option, as these tend to be fresher.

If you are unsure, try to guide a conversation around the topic of scents. Ask questions such as: "Do you prefer sweet or fruity aromas?" or "Are you more inclined towards flowers or musk?". With a bit of luck, they might even name a fragrance they like or a manufacturer they favour.

If you are buying for a partner, it is also worth considering a scent that you like, as chances are you will be smelling it often!

Gift sets

Gifting someone a fragrance can be a very thoughtful idea, especially if it is a scent that they have been wanting for a long time but refused to purchase for themselves. Perfume kits that include scented creams, powders, or body washes can be a good option for fragrance lovers.

• Versace Pour Homme for Men, 3 Piece Mini Gift Set
• Curve Men's Cologne Fragrance Set, Deodorant, Aftershave Balm & Cologne, Spicy Wood Magnetic Scent, Father's Day 3 Piece Gift Set
• High End Random Selection Designer Fragrance Cologne Sampler Set for Men - (Pack of 10 Sample Vials)
• Vince Camuto Men's 4 PC Coffret Cologne Gift Set, Includes Travel Size Eau de Toilette Sprays, Mini Sample Fragrance, Holiday Stocking Stuffer for Christmas, 0.5 Fl Oz
• Tommy Bahama Maritime 4 PC Cologne Gift Set for Men, Includes Travel Size Eau de Toilette Sprays, Mini Sample Fragrance, Christmas Gift, Stocking Stuffer for Him, 0.5 Fl Oz
• Beverly Hills Polo Club BHPC Cologne 5 Piece Gift Set for Men, Eau de Toillete, Deodorant, Shower Gel, Body Wash, Body Spray Fragrances (Classic)

Some cologne gift sets for women are also available on Amazon:

• Elizabeth Taylor White Diamonds Women's Perfume Set, Body Lotion, Eau de Toilette & Parfum Replica, 3 Piece Set
• Floral Bloom Perfume Set 4 in 1 Women's Perfume & Deodorant, Eau de Parfum Fragrance Sets - Perfumes for Women Gift Set with Antiperspirant Stick, Body Lotion & Mini Perfume
• Guess 1981 Eau De Toilette Perfume Spray for Women, 3.4 Fl. Oz.
• Vera Wang Princess Eau de Toilette Spray for Women, Vanilla, 3.4 Fl Ounce

How to buy cologne online

Do your research

Be cautious of heavily discounted fragrances, as these may be counterfeit or of poor quality. Check customer reviews on the retailer's website, as well as on independent sites like Yelp, to ensure the seller is legitimate. Also, take note of the return policy in case you need to return or exchange the product.

Take a quiz

Some websites offer scent personality quizzes that can help you determine your scent preferences, personality, and lifestyle. This can be a fun and useful way to narrow down your options and find a fragrance that suits you.

Pay attention to descriptions

Fragrance descriptions are not just marketing fluff. They should evoke an emotion or mood that helps you understand whether the scent matches your personality and lifestyle. For example, if you are a cheerful and sunny person, you may not want something heavy and overpowering.

Know your notes

Fragrances are typically categorized into different "families" or "themes" based on their dominant notes. Knowing which theme suits you best can help you choose the right cologne. Here are some common fragrance families:

• Fresh: Simple, elegant, and clean notes like citrus, green, and organic scents.
• Floral: Notes from flowers like roses, lilies, and jasmine, as well as blends like fruity floral and floral oriental.
• Woodsy: Scents that evoke the outdoors, with notes like sandalwood, birchwood, and cedar.
• Oriental: Big and bold scents with notes like vanilla, musk, nutmeg, and coriander.

Understand your preferences

Think about the sort of mood you want to achieve with your fragrance. Are you looking for something fresh and crisp for daytime use, or something richer and more intense for evening engagements? Understanding your preferences will help you choose a fragrance family that suits your needs.

Discover the perfumer

When buying an unfamiliar fragrance, consider researching the perfumer who created it. Like any artist, perfumers often have a distinctive style and signature that runs through their creations. If you have enjoyed other fragrances by the same perfumer, you may also enjoy the one you are considering.

Stick with what you know

If you are nervous about trying something new, you can play it safe by sticking with a brand or fragrance family that you already know and love. Many fragrance houses use a signature note or accord that ties their fragrances together, so you may want to explore other offerings from the same brand.

Find a flanker

If you have a signature fragrance but are looking for something new, consider trying a variant or "flanker." Flankers are created by playing with the notes of an existing fragrance, emphasizing some, playing down others, or adding new ones, while retaining the essence of the original.

Take your time

Don't rush your purchase. A good fragrance is an investment and can be a statement about your personality. Take the time to research, explore, and sample different options before making your final decision.

Cologne for women

Gifting perfume or cologne can be a tricky business, especially if you are buying for someone with a refined taste in fragrances. However, it can be a wonderful and thoughtful gift for Christmas if you get it right.

Firstly, it is important to consider the recipient's personality and lifestyle. Do they have a preference for natural scents over perfumes? Do they lead an active lifestyle and have a busy nightlife? What is their age? These factors will help determine the type of cologne to buy. For example, cheerful women may prefer floral scents, while romantic and emotional types may lean towards a sweet, feminine cologne. Younger women often like mild fruity and citrusy aromas, while riper women may be more inclined towards woody or oriental fragrances.

You can also guide a conversation around the topic of scents to gain some insight. Ask questions like: "Do you prefer sweet aromas or fruity/floral ones?" or "Do you like exotic flowers, wood, or musk?"

When it comes to the type of fragrance, there are different strengths and concentrations to choose from. These include:

• After Shave/Mist/Splash (1-3% concentration)
• Eau de Toilette (5-15% concentration)
• Eau de Parfum (15-20% concentration)
• Pure Parfum/Extrait de Parfum (20-40% concentration)

The higher the concentration, the longer the fragrance will last and the stronger its projection.

• Chanel No 5 Eau de Parfum: This iconic fragrance is almost a hundred years old and is known for its clean, soapy, and powdery scent. It is sophisticated and suitable for both young and elder ladies.
• Tom Ford Black Orchid: A complex and modern scent with effervescent citrus and orchid notes, leading to a bittersweet chocolate base. It is ideal for chocolate and patchouli lovers.
• Ariana Grande Cloud: A sweet and addictive fragrance with notes of coconut, whipped cream, and praline. It is long-lasting and offers great projection, making it a fantastic value-for-money option.
• Narciso Rodriguez Narciso Poudree: A subtle, warm, and cozy scent with powdery musk, jasmine, and mild sweet vanilla. Perfect for cuddling up on cold, rainy days.
• Lancome La Vie Est Belle: This cologne is based on natural and simple beauty, with dominant notes of vanilla, iris, blackcurrant, and pralines. It has a fruity opening, a floral heart, and a warm base, making it ideal for romantic nights out.
• Guerlain Mon Guerlain: A simple yet versatile fragrance combining flowers like iris and lavender with Guerlain's signature vanilla. It is an all-purpose scent that won't offend anyone.
• Dior Miss Dior Eau de Toilette: Opening with bright blood orange and neroli, this cologne then moves to a heart of Bulgarian rose and a base of earthy patchouli. It is sophisticated and romantic, similar to Chanel's Mademoiselle.
• Mugler Alien by Thierry: A heady and sweet jasmine-centric fragrance with woody and amber notes. It has excellent longevity and projection, making it ideal for romantic nights out.

Remember, when in doubt, it is always best to opt for a safer option or a gift card, especially if you are unsure of the recipient's taste in fragrances.

Popular brands

When it comes to popular cologne brands, there are a plethora of options to choose from. Here are some of the most well-known and sought-after brands:

Chanel: Chanel's colognes are highly regarded for their clean and woody fragrances. Bleu de Chanel, for example, features fresh citrus and amber notes alongside cedarwood, creating a scent that can effortlessly transition from day to night.

Dior: Dior is a luxury brand known for its Sauvage cologne, which has a distinctive earthy and woody scent. Their Sauvage Eau de Toilette is inspired by nature and raw materials, featuring notes of bergamot, pepper, and amberwood.

Tom Ford: This brand offers a range of sophisticated and warm fragrances, such as the Tobacco Vanille Eau de Parfum, which combines ginger, tobacco, and cocoa. Another popular option is the Oud Wood cologne, which captures the scent of oud wood with hints of cardamom, sandalwood, and vetiver.

Maison Francis Kurkdjian: This luxury fragrance house offers a range of unique and captivating scents. The L'Homme À la Rose Eau de Parfum blends rose with grapefruit and woody notes for a masculine take on the flower. They also have the Gentle Fluidity Silver cologne, which offers a bold and spicy scent with a hint of citrus.

Ralph Lauren: Ralph Lauren's Polo Black is an enduring classic that stands the test of time. It features a bold fusion of iced mango, lemon, tangerine, and sandalwood, creating an aromatic and bittersweet fragrance.

Calvin Klein: Calvin Klein's Eternity for Men is a romantic floral fragrance that is decidedly unisex. With notes of freesia, mandarin, sage, white lily, patchouli, and sandalwood, it has become a timeless classic.

These are just a few examples of popular cologne brands, and there are certainly many other notable brands to explore, such as Gucci, Versace, Giorgio Armani, and Yves Saint Laurent, each offering their own unique and captivating fragrances.

Frequently asked questions