In my efforts to declutter, one of things I think of moving out is the perfume left by my mother. Her favorite, and an easy Christmas gift for my brother, was Shalimar by Gerlain of Paris. It is the most recently made in her collection. Others, White Diamonds, White Linen and Emeraude have been around for years. Scents are powerful triggers of memory, which is part of the reason that during Covid the last two years, fragrance purchases have soared. Some industry watchers think fragrance has been a way for people to “get away” a bit. Others think it’s the new “lipstick”. In the Great Depression, lipstick sales stayed strong because it was a small, still affordable luxury. With mask wearing, fragrance may have taken on that role. Nonetheless, when I smell my mother’s Emeraude, or even look at the green capped bottle, memories of her dressing for an evening out with my dad flood right back. She - transforming from her daytime mother-duty self into a glamorous sultry-smelling woman in her own right. Me - a teenager in awe. I spritz a little on myself once in a while. The Shalimar just adorns a shelf and makes me think of the joy shared when she received it from her son.
If you have unused or unwanted perfume, how can you get rid of it? According to the wastewater treatment folks in my city, unless you have a tractor trailer full, it is safe to put it down the toilet. But getting it out of the bottle without smelling up the whole house? Ah, that’s another question. Here are two links describing how to get the metal tops of the bottles and ideas on recycling and repurposing the glass.
Let me know how you go. Keep the love, let go of the stuff. Jo