🧪 North Pole Scent Lab - Operations Guide

Game Concept: Olfactory guessing game where guests identify 8 Christmas scents using only their sense of smell. Self-guided activity suitable for all ages, 5-10 minutes per family/group. Strong, long-lasting scents in mystery boxes.

👃 Complete Scent List (8 Stations - SMELL ONLY)

Box #	Scent	Difficulty	Source Material	Implementation Notes
1	Peppermint	Easy	Peppermint essential oil	Apply 8-10 drops to cotton balls in small jar. Very strong, instantly recognizable, classic Christmas scent. Refresh every 3-5 shows.
2	Cinnamon	Easy	Cinnamon sticks + cinnamon essential oil	Use 5-6 whole cinnamon sticks, add 5 drops cinnamon oil for boost. Strong, warm, familiar. Lasts 5-7 shows before needing refresh.
3	Pine/Fir (Christmas Tree)	Easy	Pine or fir essential oil	Apply 8-10 drops to cotton balls or small piece of wood. Fresh forest scent. Refresh every 3-5 shows. Can use real pine branches but they dry out faster.
4	Vanilla	Medium	Vanilla extract or essential oil	Apply 6-8 drops pure vanilla extract to cotton balls. Sweet, warm scent. Less obviously "Christmas" but recognizable. Refresh every 4-6 shows.
5	Orange	Medium	Fresh orange peel OR orange essential oil	Use fresh orange peel (replace every 2-3 shows as it dries) OR 8-10 drops orange oil on cotton balls. Bright citrus scent. Oil lasts longer than peel.
6	Clove	Hard	Whole cloves + clove essential oil	Use 15-20 whole cloves, add 3-4 drops clove oil for intensity. Spicy, warm, distinct. Less familiar than cinnamon. Lasts 5-7 shows.
7	Woodsmoke	Medium	Woodsmoke/campfire fragrance oil	Apply 8-10 drops woodsmoke or campfire fragrance oil to cotton balls. Smoky, fireplace scent - very distinct. Christmas connection: Yule log, cozy fireplace. Refresh every 4-6 shows.
8	Gingerbread	Medium	Gingerbread fragrance oil	Apply 8-10 drops gingerbread fragrance oil to cotton balls. Sweet, spiced cookie scent (blend of ginger, cinnamon, cloves, molasses). Distinct from individual spices. Refresh every 4-6 shows.

Design Rationale:

Smell-only focus: Simplifies game, reduces hygiene concerns, emphasizes olfactory challenge
Difficulty range: 3 easy, 4 medium, 1 hard - accessible to kids, challenging for adults
Scent strength: All scents are naturally strong and detectable through box ventilation
Christmas theme: All 8 scents are Christmas-associated (peppermint, cinnamon, pine, vanilla, orange, clove, woodsmoke/fireplace, gingerbread cookies)
Longevity: Essential oils and fragrance oils last 4-7 shows with periodic refresh. Cinnamon sticks and whole cloves are very durable.
Purchasable: All items available at grocery stores, craft stores, or online (Amazon, candle supply stores)
Distinct from each other: No two scents are similar - easy to differentiate

🛒 Sourcing & Shopping List

Item	Where to Buy	Quantity Needed	Est. Cost	Notes
Essential Oil Set	Amazon, health food stores	1 set (peppermint, cinnamon, pine, vanilla, orange, clove, ginger)	$25-40	Look for "Christmas essential oil set" or buy individually. 10ml bottles sufficient.
Cinnamon Sticks	Grocery store (spice aisle)	1 jar (5-6 sticks needed)	$4-7	Ceylon or Cassia cinnamon both work. Cassia is stronger.
Whole Cloves	Grocery store (spice aisle)	1 small jar	$3-5	15-20 cloves needed. Small jar has 50+.
Woodsmoke/Campfire Fragrance Oil	Amazon, candle supply stores	1 bottle (10ml)	$8-15	Search "woodsmoke fragrance oil" or "campfire scent oil". Strong smoky/fireplace scent.
Gingerbread Fragrance Oil	Amazon, candle supply stores	1 bottle (10ml)	$8-15	Search "gingerbread fragrance oil". Sweet spiced cookie scent, softer than pure ginger.
Fresh Orange	Grocery store (produce)	2-3 oranges	$2-4	Only if not using orange essential oil. Replace peel every 2-3 shows.
Cotton Balls	Drugstore, grocery store	1 bag (100 count)	$3-5	For applying essential oils. Replace every 3-5 shows.
Small Jars/Containers	Dollar store, craft store	8 (one per scent)	$8-15	Mason jars, baby food jars, or small containers to hold scent materials inside mystery boxes.

Total Estimated Cost for Scents: $59-107 (will last all 30 shows with periodic refreshing)

Pro Tip: Essential oils and fragrance oils provide the best longevity and strength. Recommend using oils for peppermint, pine, vanilla, orange, woodsmoke, and gingerbread, then use physical items (cinnamon sticks, whole cloves) for extra scent boost.

📦 Materials & Equipment Needed

Per Station Setup (×8 boxes)

Item	Quantity	Purpose	Est. Cost
Mystery Boxes	8	Opaque containers with access method (see options below)	$40-80
Station Number Labels	8 sets	Large, clear numbers (1-8) for each box	$10
Items (see list above)	Full set	Jingle bells, pinecones, candy canes, cinnamon, etc.	$50-80
Answer Sheets	150-200 prints	Recording sheet for guest guesses (letter-size, 2 per page)	$15
Pencils/Pens	15-20	Writing implements (on strings/tethers to prevent loss)	$10
Signage (Instruction Poster)	1 (11×17")	How to play instructions	$5
Answer Key Display	1 (8.5×11")	Reveal poster (placed face-down or behind flap)	$3
Sanitizing Wipes	2-3 containers	Clean boxes between uses (if needed)	$8
Storage Bin	1	Store all items between shows	$15

Total Estimated Cost: $156-226 (one-time setup, reusable across 30 shows)

🛠️ Mystery Box Construction Options (Smell-Only Design)

Design Decision Required: Boxes need ventilation holes for scent to escape, but should prevent guests from seeing contents.

Option 1: Cardboard Boxes with Ventilation Holes (Simplest)

Construction: Cardboard boxes (6×6×6" or similar), drill/punch 10-15 small holes (0.5" diameter) in top or front face
Access: Guests lean in and sniff near holes (no touching)
Pros: Cheap ($1-2 per box), easy to build, lightweight, replaceable if damaged
Cons: Less durable (may need replacement during 30-show run), basic aesthetic
Scent delivery: Adequate ventilation, scents escape through holes

Option 2: Wooden Boxes with Ventilation Holes (Recommended)

Construction: Custom-built plywood boxes (8×8×8"), drill 10-15 small holes (0.5-0.75" diameter) in front face, painted/finished
Access: Guests lean in and sniff near holes (no touching)
Pros: Durable across all 30 shows, professional look, matches theatrical aesthetic, reusable for future events
Cons: Higher material cost ($5-10 per box), requires scenic shop build time (2-3 hours for all 8)
Scent delivery: Excellent ventilation, holes can be strategically positioned for optimal scent release

Option 3: Mesh/Screen Panels (Alternative)

Construction: Wooden frame boxes with one side covered in fine mesh or screen fabric instead of solid panel
Access: Guests sniff near mesh panel (can't see through due to opacity of contents/interior)
Pros: Maximum scent ventilation, professional look, durable
Cons: Slightly more complex build, mesh needs to be tight enough to prevent peeking
Scent delivery: Optimal - maximum airflow without exposing contents

Recommendation: Option 2 (wooden boxes with ventilation holes) aligns with your company's scenic construction capabilities, provides durability for 30 shows, and gives professional aesthetic. Simple drill pattern provides adequate scent release. Estimated build time: 2-3 hours for all 8 boxes.

Inside Each Box:

Small container/jar (mason jar, baby food jar) holding scent materials
Jar sits in center of box, ~3-4 inches from ventilation holes
Jar lid removed or perforated to allow scent to escape
Box interior painted dark (black or dark brown) so guests can't see jar contents through holes

📐 Station Layout & Space Requirements

Footprint: 6-8 feet of counter/table space (linear arrangement) OR 4×4 ft area (grid arrangement)
Counter height: 30-36 inches (accessible to kids and adults)
Arrangement: Boxes numbered 1-8 in clear order
Nearby: Small table or clipboard station for answer sheets and pencils
Traffic flow: Guests move left-to-right (or in logical sequence), then proceed to answer reveal

⚙️ Setup & Operations

Pre-Event Setup Checklist

☐ Place all 8 mystery boxes in numbered order on counter/table
☐ Load each box with correct item (verify using chart above)
☐ Close/seal boxes so contents are not visible
☐ Set out answer sheets and pencils at writing station
☐ Post instruction signage prominently
☐ Place answer key face-down or behind flip panel (guests reveal after completing guesses)
☐ Test each box - can guests easily access item? Is scent detectable?
☐ Keep sanitizing wipes nearby (if using boxes with arm holes)

During Event Operations

☐ Self-guided game - No active staff required unless guests ask questions
☐ Monitor from distance - Ensure boxes stay in order, items don't get swapped
☐ Refresh scents - If pine or cinnamon scent fades, replace item or add essential oil (mid-event if needed)
☐ Replace consumables - If candy canes get crushed or items damaged, swap in fresh copies
☐ Wipe down - Quick sanitize of box exteriors every 30-45 minutes (optional, depending on traffic)

End-of-Night Cleanup

☐ Remove all items from boxes
☐ Inspect items for damage/wear (replace if needed)
☐ Wipe down boxes (if needed)
☐ Store items in labeled storage bin (keeps everything organized for next show)
☐ Wash fabric bags (if using Option 1) every 2-3 shows
☐ Restock answer sheets and pencils for next event

🧼 Hygiene & Safety Protocols

Key Considerations:

No food consumption - Items are for smelling/touching only, not eating (even candy canes stay wrapped)
Cleanable items - All items can be wiped down or replaced if contaminated
Hand sanitizer nearby - Guests can sanitize before/after if desired
Visual monitoring - Staff can watch from distance to ensure no one unwraps/damages items
Scent allergies - Natural scents (pine, cinnamon, orange) are generally safe, but instruction signage notes "scent-based activity"

💡 Tips for Success

Scent strength: If using essential oils, apply sparingly. Too strong = overwhelming, too weak = undetectable. Test before first show.
Pinecone prep: Wash/dry pinecones before use (removes sap/dirt). Add 2-3 drops pine oil for scent boost.
Pomander prep: If making fresh, stud orange with cloves 2-3 days before event, allow to dry slightly. Scent intensifies.
Candy cane wrapper: Use standard plastic-wrapped candy canes. Scent permeates wrapper but prevents sticky hands.
Nutmeg freshness: Whole nutmeg has subtle scent. If scent too faint, lightly scrape surface to release oils (don't over-scrape).
Item security: If using fabric bags, consider small weight at bottom (e.g., bean bag) so item doesn't fall out when lifted.

🎯 Expected Guest Experience

Typical Flow (5-10 minutes):

Family/group approaches station, reads instruction signage
Grabs answer sheet and pencil
Moves through boxes 1-8 in order, feeling/smelling each item
Records guesses on answer sheet
Flips answer key to check results
Celebrates correct guesses, laughs at wrong ones
Returns answer sheet (or keeps as souvenir) and moves on

Age Accessibility:

Ages 3-6: Can participate with parent help, enjoy touch/smell experience even if can't name items
Ages 7-12: Core target audience, can complete independently, mix of easy/medium items keeps it fun
Teens/Adults: Harder items (nutmeg, pomander) provide challenge, fun nostalgia factor

🔧 Troubleshooting

Issue	Solution
Scent too weak to detect	Add 1-2 drops essential oil to item (pine, cinnamon oil). Don't oversaturate. If pomander dried out, replace with fresh orange peel + cloves.
Scent too strong/overwhelming	Remove item, air out box for 10-15 min. Replace with less-scented version or reduce oil amount.
Item damaged/crushed	Keep backup items in storage bin. Swap in replacement mid-event if needed.
Guests swapping items between boxes	Staff reminder: "Please keep items in their numbered boxes!" Check order periodically, re-organize if needed.
Kids peeking into boxes	If using fabric bags: gently remind to "feel without looking!" If using boxes with arm holes, this issue self-resolves.
Answer sheets running out	Print extras (keep 50-100 backup sheets on hand). Families can also share one sheet per group.

North Pole Scent Lab - Operations Guide
Created: November 14, 2025 | For: Christmas Event 2025