A Decade of Scents on the Go!

The year was 2000 and it was the dawn of a new millennium – for the world and for Yankee Candle® fans. Our Master Fragrancer Bob Nelson was excited with a new idea. What if we could put our signature fragrance on a car freshener? In truth, we’d known so many fans who had already scented their cars with such inventive ideas like putting Tarts® wax potpourri in the ashtray (not a good idea in warm weather!) that we felt confident there would be a market. But putting our precious fragrances into something other than candles was certainly a new and intimidating concept. We launched Car Jar® air fresheners with five of our best-selling fragrances at the time and crossed our fingers wondering if the idea would catch on. Now ten years later I still get excited each time I see our iconic Car Jar® in someone’s car - in fact, my daughter and I often play a car game on long trips seeing who can spot the most! Happy 10th Anniversary to the Car Jar® - a Yankee Candle® classic! And, our gift to you is a "Buy One Get One FREE" sale on Car Jars® now through May 9th!

Welcome Spring with Lilac Blossoms

With Lilac Blossoms, our candle makers sought to develop a scent true to that heady aroma of spring – an alluring grove of lavender, white, and deep purple lilacs. It’s a scent that reflects the enduring strength of the blossom because lilacs are as rich in symbolism as they are in fragrance. The botanical name is associated with the Greek myth of the god Pan who pursued a beautiful nymph until in desperation she transformed herself into an aromatic bush. In floral design it’s used to symbolize that first blush of love and it is the 8th wedding anniversary flower. And, in the arts, lilacs are used throughout literature, song, and design as a strong trigger to memory. Yankee Candle® Lilac Blossoms is a timeless classic and perennial best-seller – the perfect way to welcome spring!

2010 Lilac Festival Sites:
Lilac Sunday (Arnold Arboretum in Framingham MA) – May 9, 2010
Lilac Festival (Rochester, NY) - May 14-23, 2010
Mackinac Island Lilac Festival (Mackinac Island MI) - June 11-20, 2010

Scent-i-mental Journey

More than any other sense, the sense of smell evokes the most lucid memories. A quick whiff of an unexpected yet familiar smell will immediately transport you to another place and time. There’s an aroma to my daughter’s school that is in some way similar to what I remembered smelling whenever I visited my Grandmom’s house. I don’t know if it’s because the buildings are the same age, or because they’re both brick, or perhaps it’s the familiar smell of the heat as it is drawn through the old radiators. The source of the scent is really insignificant – what’s noteworthy is how it makes me feel. My daughter’s school immediately feels like it’s a safe, warm, and nurturing environment because it reminds me of that special place. Similarly, when I’m burning a Spiced Pumpkin candle I’m filled with happy memories of being newly married and in my own home for the very first time. We couldn’t afford living room furniture so Evan and I made our vacant home feel cozy with our favorite Yankee Candle scent. Whenever that scent is in the air now, I’m overcome with the same warm and happy feelings. It’s an amazing thing when one sense is so powerful that it can change your whole perspective! It's also a key element to keep in mind when you want to make a moment even more memorable.

Think of fragrance as important as music when you are planning your next occasion. You pay attention to what your guests see when they walk in the room and you script the music like it's a movie score, but its the scent that will linger in their memories for a long, long time!