# North Pole Scent Lab

**Status:** Complete

## Overview
Olfactory guessing game where guests identify 8 Christmas scents using only their sense of smell. Mystery boxes with ventilation holes release strong, long-lasting scents. Self-guided activity, 5-10 minutes per family/group.

## Color Scheme
- **Primary:** Sapphire Blue (#1e3a5f)
- **Accent:** Silver (#c0c0c0)
- **Background gradient:** #1e3a5f → #162d4a → #0f1d30

## Complete Scent List (8 Stations - SMELL ONLY)

1. **Peppermint** - Essential oil (Easy)
2. **Cinnamon** - Sticks + essential oil (Easy)
3. **Pine/Fir** - Essential oil (Easy) - "Christmas Tree"
4. **Vanilla** - Extract or essential oil (Medium)
5. **Orange** - Fresh peel OR essential oil (Medium)
6. **Clove** - Essential oil or whole cloves (Hard)
7. **Woodsmoke** - Fragrance oil (Medium) - Fireplace/Yule log
8. **Gingerbread** - Fragrance oil (Medium) - Sweet spiced cookies

**Difficulty Mix:** 3 easy, 4 medium, 1 hard

## Game Mechanics

- **Smell-only focus** - Simplifies game, reduces hygiene concerns
- **Self-guided activity** - Zero staff required during play
- **8 mystery boxes** with ventilation holes (guests lean in and sniff)
- **Guests collect answer sheet** and pencil
- **Visit each box** in order, smell scent, record guess
- **Check answer key** at end to see results
- **All ages** - Strong, recognizable Christmas scents

## Print-Ready Files

### Station Materials
- `station-label-PRINT.html/pdf` - 11" × 3" station header sign with bleed/crop marks
- `instructions-PRINT.html/pdf` - 8" × 10" How to Play sign with bleed/crop marks
- `box-labels-PRINT.html/pdf` - Numbered labels 1-8, 8 per page with crop marks
- `answer-sheet-PRINT.html/pdf` - 4.25" × 5.5" guest answer card with bleed/crop marks

### Reference Files
- `answer-key.html` - Answer reveal display
- `north-pole-scent-lab-operations-guide.html` - Complete setup guide, scent details, sourcing, box construction

### Consolidated Printables
All materials also available in `/Christmas/games/printables/`:
- `all-station-labels-PRINT.pdf` - Combined with Elf Mystery Match
- `all-instructions-PRINT.pdf` - Combined with Elf Mystery Match
- `all-box-labels-PRINT.pdf` - Combined with Elf Mystery Match (18 total labels)

## Materials & Budget

### Scent Materials
- Essential oil set (peppermint, cinnamon, pine, vanilla, orange)
- Fragrance oils (woodsmoke, gingerbread)
- Clove essential oil or whole cloves
- Cinnamon sticks
- Cotton balls for oil application
- Small jars/containers (8) to hold scents inside boxes
- Optional: Fresh orange (if not using oil)

**Scent Materials Cost:** $59-107 (lasts all 30 shows with periodic refresh)

### Display Materials
- 8 mystery boxes with ventilation holes (wooden recommended: $5-10 each)
- Answer sheets (150-200 prints)
- Instruction signage (8" × 10")
- Station label (11" × 3")
- Box number labels (8)
- Answer key display (letter-size)
- Pencils/pens (15-20, tethered)

**Total Estimated Cost:** $131-187 (one-time, reusable across 30 shows)

## Mystery Box Construction

**Recommended:** Wooden boxes (8×8×8") with 10-15 ventilation holes (0.5-0.75" diameter) drilled in front face. Box interior painted dark to prevent seeing contents. Jar with scent materials sits inside, 3-4 inches from holes.

**Alternative:** Cardboard boxes with ventilation holes (cheaper but less durable)

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**Created:** November 14, 2025
**Completed:** November 14, 2025
**Print Materials Updated:** December 9, 2025