During the holiday season, nostalgia often sets in as we reminisce about our childhood. Whether it's curling up by the fire with a good book or getting dolled up for festive parties, these memories are deeply ingrained in our minds. But there's another sense that plays a significant role in triggering these memories - scent. Just a whiff of a familiar scent can transport us back to a long-forgotten moment. Taking inspiration from her own memories, HGTV's Erin Napier has created a holiday-themed candle called "Season of Hope," which captures the scent of cloves and oranges.
A Fragrance Inspired by Childhood Christmas Memories
In a heartfelt Instagram post, Erin Napier shared the inspiration behind her new line of candles, Napier's Scent Library. The candles, launched in November 2022, are a tribute to the cherished memories spent with her mother during the holiday season. In the post, Napier reminisces about making pomanders with her mother as a child, a tradition that created a powerful scent memory. The pomanders were made by sticking whole cloves into navel oranges and stacking them to resemble a tree.
The post also includes treasured photos of her mother's home throughout the years, evoking a sense of nostalgia and warmth. While some mistook the photos for Napier's own house, the reality of it being her mother's home over multiple seasons adds a touch of magic to the scene.
In some areas, the tradition of pomanders involves creating beautiful displays for holiday tables using only oranges and whole cloves. Originally, pomanders were carried around like necklaces to ward off illness and germs. However, by the 18th century, they became purely decorative. Today, people create various designs with cloves and oranges, resulting in a pungent scent of sweet citrus and intense cloves. Pomanders stacked in pyramid shapes on holiday tables create a striking visual display. Erin Napier, in a post on Instagram, shared that the scent of citrus and cloves brings feelings of safety, warmth, and happiness at home.
The Launch of a New Candle Scent Brings Back Those Memories
To honor these memories, Erin Napier has partnered with the Salvation Army. On her Instagram, she announced the collaboration, saying, "For this year's special edition @scentlibrary.lmco candle, we are teaming up with the @salvationarmyus to raise awareness and support families in need during the holiday season." The candles, produced at their factory in Laurel, Mississippi, can be purchased on the Scent Library website for $28, as well as at Dillard's stores nationwide. In 2016, Napier introduced The Laurel Candle, a handcrafted, American-made candle that captured the essence of the Laurel community. This candle marked the beginning of a larger project. After renovating an old storefront in the community, Napier and her husband Ben launched The Scent Library, a space dedicated to the power of scent memories.
The power of scent can evoke strong memories and emotions. A new candle scent called "Seasons of Hope" captures this perfectly. The creator, Napier, describes it as a combination of zingy navel orange and spicy clove, reminiscent of childhood Christmas magic. This scent holds a special place in Napier's heart, but for any homeowner, candles can bring back memories or create a desired atmosphere. In addition to their scent, candles can also serve as beautiful decorative pieces when displayed in decorative candle holders.
