The best scents capture moments — specific moods (even if they defy logic). Remember ‘Ball Boy,’ the infamous blend of freshly uncanned tennis balls, Vacation sunscreen, and cotton sweatbands? Or Gwyneth Paltrow’s iconic ‘This Smells Like My…’? Well, you know. The point is, the most captivating fragrances don’t always summon fields of flowers or syrupy amber — they smell like real life.
Anecdote Candles lives up to this ethos with an unexpected holiday collection that distills the scents of the season. Remember that time you brought friends into the holiday fold over pre-ice skating bites and a bottle of Barolo? There’s a candle for that: "Charcuterie Board," which blends hot honey and pepper for a fragrance that evokes “sharp wit and sweet jams.” With other playful scents like "Cocktail Hour" and "Dinner Party," they're the best candles for bringing the festive fun to life.
Price: $90
Anecdote’s Holiday Host Bundle captures two essential holiday components: food, and the company of friends and family. Featuring three hand-poured, cruelty-free candles — Charcuterie Board, Cocktail Hour, and Dinner Party — these scents are as delightful as they are clever. While their names might sound unusual, I’d liken them to Maison Margiela’s Replica collection — a lineup of fragrances that evoke favorite pastimes with refinement.
So, if you’re scrambling to find a uniquely witty gift for your most fabulous friends this season, give the gift of a good mood (or three!). According to Anecdote's website, most orders are prepared for shipment within two to three business days, so you can relax knowing your clever gift will arrive in time.
For once, I’ve got my holiday shopping in order, but with these price points and my weakness for effervescent aromas, I might just snag a couple for myself.
Price: $34
This home fragrance feast layers sweet notes of dried dates and apricot jam with a hint of smokiness from roasted nuts, all drizzled with hot honey for that quintessential sweet-yet-spicy deliciousness. Grounded by warm, savory undertones of roasted pepper and luxurious acacia wood, it’s a perfectly balanced palette of indulgence.
Price: $34
With sparkling champagne, a splash of lemon juice, and spice-infused cognac, this candle evokes the scent (and price tag) of my favorite NYC cocktail. Complex and spirited like a great conversation, yet subtly sweet and approachable with notes of juniper berries and tarragon simple syrup, it smells like adulting done right. Another round, please.
Price: $34
The best dinner parties, like the best guests, are a little spicy, fabulously louche, and completely captivating. Somehow, the Dinner Party candle manages to bottle it all. Notes of tantalizing orange, saffron, and black peppercorn offer a quick pick-me-up, while the savory scent layering of Kalamata olives, rosemary, and fresh sage mingle with creamy avocado and smooth olive oil to ease you into the evening.
Shop More Moods
Price: $34
Ah, the sweet smell of a good night in. While others brave the cold and struggle to find parking, you’ll be sitting pretty (and warmly) on the sofa. Enter the “Comfort Zone” candle, with its blend of sweet orange blossoms, coffee, and jasmine, rounded out by creamy vanilla, patchouli, and cedarwood. Perfect for introverts or anyone who revels in cozy nights at home.
Price: $34
Smelling faintly of 401(k)s, old friends, and the comfort of mid-sized sedans, "Adulting" puts the sweet in stability. Unfussy yet sophisticated, this clean, earthy blend of fig and cashmere is the scent of having "made it." While the name feels a little millennial, the fragrance is a worthy addition to any working professional’s desk — a daily reminder of the joys of grown-up success.
Price: $34
Hot goss? This candle’s got plenty. Cheekily named "Bottomless Mimosas," it captures the lively energy of cocktails before noon in good company. Reviewers rave about its crowd-pleasing blend of citrus and fresh green notes, which is apparently quite the standout hit for White Elephant exchanges. All the sweetness, none of the hangover.
-
7 Colors to Avoid Pairing With Beige — Or Risk a Room That "Competes Rather Than Complements," Designers WarnWhether you’re aiming for a calming, serene atmosphere or a bold, punchy look, designers warn against these combinations (and suggest what to do instead)
-
And Just Like That, All the Chicest People I Know Are Styling Their Kitchens With Brown Décor — Here's Where to Shop the LookProviding both a touch of pretty as well as full-on function, these brown kitchen accessories are an easy way to update your kitchen
-
And Just Like That, All the Chicest People I Know Are Styling Their Kitchens With Brown Décor — Here's Where to Shop the Look
Providing both a touch of pretty as well as full-on function, these brown kitchen accessories are an easy way to update your kitchen
-
A 100% Silk Throw For How Much?! — Score 25% Off Luxurious Layers in McGee & Co.’s Limited-Time-Only Bedroom SaleFeaturing whimsical block prints and cotton coverlets, McGee & Co.’s first sale of the year has all the ingredients for the bedroom of dreams
-
Ooooh! MARLOE MARLOE's Delicate Ceramics Look Just Like Bouclé — and They’re Currently 40% Off at Net-A-PorterThe increasingly-divisive fabric has found a whole new life (and look) in the Australian designer's ceramic collection
-
“Scandifornia” Rugs Are the Next Big Thing — Get Ready for the Lovechild of Scandi Minimalism and Coastal Charm“Scandifornia,” the lovechild of Scandinavian minimalism and coastal charm, is the hottest rug aesthetic you’ve never heard of
-
Bobby Berk’s Debuts a New Wall Art Collaboration — It Will Look Just as Good Hung in a Gallery, as It Does Your HomeBobby’s fourth installment of his LeftBank Art collection captivates with character-rich motifs, grounding color palettes, and gallery-caliber craftsmanship
-
Curious About 2025's Brightest Looks? Search No Further Than CB2's Spring Lighting LineupCurious about this year’s brightest looks? Search no further than CB2’s spring lighting lineup
-
Kravet Used to Only Be Available to Designers, But This New Pottery Barn Collaboration Changes EverythingThe 106-year-old textile house opens its archives for a first-of-its-kind collaboration — starting at just $39.50
-
I'm a Style Editor and This Is My Best-Kept Styling Secret — It's Luxurious, Layerable, and Just $49 on AmazonWhen in doubt, swap in a sheepskin rug. This is the exact one I swear by for winter (or anytime, really)
