Big news around here is that Yankee Candle is closing its iconic South Deerfield distribution center, and, frankly, that news stinks (or, rather, smells faintly unpleasant in a pleasing, waxy way).
I used to be a Yankee Candle fanatic, especially the balsam fir smells since I have a fake, odorless Christmas tree. As I've aged, though, I've lost my affinity for all things smelly. Aromas I once liked in candles (lavender, apple spice, meadow -- but never vanilla) have become off-putting.
I think this aversion started around the time that I discovered I can no longer go on twisty-twirly amusement park rides. I used to love the Tilt-O-Whirl, but not so much anymore. I can tolerate the Teacups, but only if we spin in an organized pattern. Oh, I still love a good Merry Mixer (Canobie's Psychodrome is one such animal), but that's one of the few I tolerate well.
Solution? Purge. (The candles, not my stomach.)
I seriously can't even keep these candles inside my home nor my car long enough to donate them. Suddenly, the putrid smell is suffocating me like the overwhelming stench of popcorn inside a closed theater. Where is the air? I can't breathe in here!
Most of the candles I have are votives, the smaller ones that fit into glass cups, as opposed to the candles that are already in glass containers. Throwing these candles out is painless from a "cut yourself on broken shards of crystal" way, but extremely painful from a stench angle. After all, I have to sniff, really and truly sniff, each and every candle to decide if it's a keeper. Some of them are borderline, but the ones that are bad are really, really bad. The aromas actually get trapped inside of my sinus cavity.
Every time I open the trash can lid, I am assaulted by the smells of discarded waxy votives. It reminds me of the last trip to the local Yankee Candle store where my friend and I were basically thrown out for gagging over candles. So, I drag out a couple of zipper baggies, dig the candles out of the trash, and secure those bad boys inside protected plastic.
If I receive candles for gifts this holiday season, I will graciously accept them, and I may even like them. But, to be honest, I tolerate them a lot less than I used to. Then again, I tolerate a lot of things, including people, a lot less than I used to, so candles should be no surprise. Regardless, I'm sorry to see Yankee Candle hit the skids. It has been an icon around here for as long as I can remember. It makes me sad that people will lose jobs and more storefronts will be vacant.
I suppose I'm "waxing" poetic. but now the only smelly waxing is coming directly from me rather than the baskets of candles in my living room.
