Festive Scents of Home
The flicker of soft candlelight creates such a sense of magic at this enchanting time of year. Romantic, festive and fragrant, a scented candle is something I love to gift at Christmas. There is a luxury about scented candles - in how they are beautifully presented, packaged and lovingly crafted.
They are an indulgent and enjoyable gift. And while selecting a fragrance can be a difficult and personal affair where perfumes are concerned, we tend to be more open to variety and unusual scent combinations in our homes. We want to create an atmosphere, a feeling of home and an essence of this magical season.
Here are five seasonal candles to gift this christmas, each one made in Ireland.
A composition of roasted chestnuts, white ginger, cloves and coffee brings together a harmony of festive spice, vibrance and warmth that is utterly addictive. The scent is soft yet full of warmth and power that will pervade through your home. This scent has been developed in Bantry Candles workshop in West Cork, especially for Christmas 2016 and would make for a thoughtful and memorable gift this Christmas. Bantry candles have very kindly offered a 10% discount on orders of this unique Christmas candle - simply enter designology10%OFF at the checkout.
Spiced Quince, Considered by Helen James, €12
This beautiful candle is full of the pungent seasonal spice that makes this time of year so fragrant. As with the entire range by Helen James, the ingredients are perfectly balanced and full of impact. Available from selected Dunnes Stores and Considered, Drury St.
Irish scent expert Nicole Connolly of Clean Slate has conjured up yet another exquisite scent that is perfect for this time of year. With base notes of a musty woodland, infused with rich cedarwood and the immense sweetness of fig, this is a truly gorgeous scent. So if you are looking for something wonderfully festive yet equally unique this may be the one for you. Available from numerous Irish stockists, for full details see here.
Atelier, the French word for workshop, conjures up images of a fabulously creative space where magical things are formulated and made. Cloon Keen Atelier in Galway is one such place. The shop itself is a stunning space, clean and elegant in style with shelves and rows of perfectly placed candle boxes lining the walls. For a festive scent their Noble Fir Scent, €40, is an all round winner. Notes of fresh pine needles, a soft fir balsam, amber, cedar and soft cinnamon and clove make for a beautifully fresh, earthy, seasonal scent.
A Real Turf Fire, The Bearded Candle Makers, £12.50
Experts of capturing uniquely Irish smells, the turf log fire is one that instantly brings back memories of cosy nights in cramped Irish pubs, gathered by a fireside. I particularly like this scent for creating a warm and homely fragrance throughout autumn and winter.