Maybe it’s the often bleak state of the world or just another symptom of adulthood but I can’t help but feel like the holidays just don’t feel the same anymore. I find myself yearning for not only the magical, white Christmases of my own childhood but reaching even further back to a Christmas before big, plastic trees and overconsumption. You might think I’m talking about the Coca-cola Santa Christmases of the mid-twentieth century or the rom-com 90s Christmases, à la Home Alone, but you’d be wrong. I’m craving something deeply cozier: velvet ribbons, beeswax candles, fragrant garlands, thoughtful gifts wrapped in crisp, brown paper, and sitting around a crackling fireplace. This year at Des Moines Mercantile, we found inspiration in arguably one the coziest Christmas scenes in literary history: Louisa May Alcott’s Little Women.
I’ll admit calling Alcott’s Christmas “cozy” would be a massive understatement, as beyond the dried citrus and evergreen garlands, jewel-toned gowns and the decadent Christmas morning feast, the March Sisters’ Christmas is a reminder of an oft-forgotten principle that can turn the holidays from chaotic to renewing: embracing simplicity. In lieu of fancy Christmas presents, the March’s Christmas is made of seemingly plain ingredients, with its homemade decorations and play written by Jo just for the occasion. Instead of flashiness and grandeur, it’s the care and love put into every aspect of the day that makes it so memorable for them. This holiday season, we’re taking the March Sister’s simplicity as inspiration, in hopes of making the holidays just a little bit cozier and simpler for anyone who steps into the shop.
When you step into Des Moines Mercantile this holiday season, you’ll be stepping into a Christmas of simpler times. Velvet and evergreen garlands lining the ceiling, hand-poured seasonal candles and local products to gift your loved ones this holiday season. Even if you don’t have time to decorate yourself, you can count on us to provide not only the cozy, slow Christmas vibe you’re missing, but also thoughtful and quality gifts made by local producers and other small businesses. And if you are sitting here wishing you could just transport the whole shop into your own home (like I regularly do…) you’re in luck!
We have five new seasonal candle scents just for the holidays to help you cultivate your own slow, cozy Christmas this year:
Midwinter has notes of evergreen, apple, citrus, clove. This scent is quite literally a breath of fresh air for that dreary midwinter day we all know well. Fresh citrus, apple and evergreen all wrapped up into one candle—the combo you didn’t know you needed.
Chestnuts Roasting has notes of chestnut, birch, smoke and vanilla. The chestnuts may not be roasting on a literal fire, but it will sure smell like it! The smell of this candle is the definition of warmth.
Greensleeves has notes of pine, cedar bark and clove. Piney and a little musky—the perfect fresh scent to balance out the sugary-decadence of the holidays. It smells like a fresh Christmas tree in your living room.
Warmest Wishes has notes of juniper, cinnamon, currant and vanilla. A classic Christmas spice blend, this scent feels like simmering fresh herbs and fruits on the stove for hours but with the ease of just lighting a wick.
Snow Day has notes of peppermint, fir, brown sugar and butter. Imagine you wake up on a random weekday, midwinter, and the ground is covered in fresh, fluffy snow. Now imagine you taste the snow and it is actually icing. That’s what this candle smells like. It’s delicious.
All five scents will be available in our refillable pottery candle, 6oz jar, 11oz jar, wax melts and (for fans of our glass pumpkin candles from this fall) a glass tree (coming soon!). These scents will be available from November 10th and Des Moines Mercantile will fully switch over from fall vibes to the holidays on November 14th—just in time for small business Saturday on November 28!
Come visit us and soak in the holiday vibes…you won’t regret it!
Written by Natalie Stevens, Des Moines Mercantile staff
Photos by Jordon Van Zante Photography
