We enjoy the warmth and ambiance of a fire in the fireplace. In our retirement home, the best way is with gel fuel in our lovely corner fireplace. People are surprised by how much warmth this fuel produces. There is NO mess and there is a lovely  crackly sound.  Now if it just smelled like wood burning...  But we have found a scented candle with a nice woodsy scent so that adds scent and the ambiance of candle light.