I may be stating the obvious here, but the thing about pumpkin spice is that it isn't pumpkin at all. It's cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg and clove. Those are the spices that give pumpkin pie it's distinctive flavor, but without them, pumpkin is just another bland squash.
I love pumpkin pie on thanksgiving. I like pumpkin bars with cream cheese icing on Christmas. I might enjoy a slice of pumpkin cheesecake once during the season. But, to me, those flavors and scents are overwhelming in teas and coffees and candles. Now, apple cinnamon candles at Christmas time are pretty nice, IMO. And egg nog flavored milkshakes are pretty good. 4951