For years, scented candles have been the perfect go-to gift, whether as a thank-you for a dinner party hostess, a last-minute birthday present or a pick-me-up treat for yourself in lockdown.
And when it comes to the clueless seeking something for the partner in their life, they’ve been a godsend, providing a welcome alternative to flowers and chocolates.
When lockdown first hit back in March last year, people did all they could to turn their homes into cosy places of sanctuary, with comforting smells playing a key part. As a result, sales of scented candles soared.
John Lewis reported a 182 per cent increase in online searches for candles in 2020 which, in turn, led to a 79 per cent increase in sales compared with the previous year. Joe Coggrave, the retailer’s buyer for fragrance, says: ‘With our homes having also become offices, gyms, schools and restaurants, never has it been more important to make them feel as comfortable as possible.’
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There may be a free bar, but if you take advantage and get sozzled, you know you risk making a fool of yourself.
I know that somewhere out there footage exists of me standing on a bar performing Islands In The Stream, with reindeer antlers on my head.
Filled with a sense of goodwill (and Prosecco), I take pity on anyone I see standing by themselves and go to talk to them. Half an hour later, when Jackie from I.T. is still droning on about the new software package, I realise why everyone is giving her a wide berth.