Essence of elegance

For fragrance lovers, it’s the season of opulent choices.

L’Objet’s champagne-scented candle is decked out in a malachite vessel with 24-karat gold and amethyst quartz cabochon detailing that can double as a treasure box later.

Diptyque’s limited-edition candles spread holiday cheer with the rich aromas of frankincense, frosty fir tree and warm oud wood mixed with amber. Los Angeles’ Royal Apothic offers another festive possibility: “Distillation of a Victorian Fir,” with notes of cranberry, holly, apricot and cinnamon. The young and young at heart will appreciate Cire Trudon’s “Little Red Riding Hood” storybook, accompanied by a candle with a woody-musky forest scent inspired by the fairy tale.

Bullion, the decadent unisex fragrance by Byredo, blends spicy pink pepper with black plum, plus hints of leather, magnolia and sandalwood. Globetrotters will covet Byredo’s handmade leather travel cases or the new padlock spray cases by Hermès that let them carry their perfumes wherever they go.

Gift-givers who want to encourage experimentation might check out the limited-edition collections of miniature sprays by prestigious Parisian fragrance house Frédéric Malle.

This season’s newest twist in perfume offerings? Fragrant jewelry. Local perfumer Lisa Hoffman was introduced to Venice Beach-based jewelry designer Tom Binns several years ago when her husband, actor Dustin Hoffman, gave her a silver cuff. Now she and Binns have collaborated on a line of scented jewelry. Inspired by seed pods, the perforated metal necklaces, cuffs and earrings are filled with replaceable wooden beads scented with sultry Madagascar Orchid, French Clary Sage or another of Hoffman’s fragrances.

Another option: French fragrance house Maison Francis Kurkdijian’s chic leather wrap bracelet, with a sterling silver magnetic clasp. Inspired by the 18th century technique used to perfume leather gloves, the leather is soaked in essential oils and then dried in the open air.

Maison Francis Kurkdijian also offers some of the best bubbly around for ringing in the New Year: Les Bulles d’Agathe blowing bubbles perfumed with the essence of pear, violet, mint or cut grass. Cheers!