It's awards time again, when every industry looks back on the last year to recognize the best and worst performances. Jennifer Garner, Reese Witherspoon and Kelly Clarkson are just a few of the top celebrities who hope to be recognized by their peers, their fans, and their industry associations for their work in 2005. In addition to the Oscars, the Grammy's, the People's Choice, and the Emmys, lists of the best and worst-dressed celebrities, the top mutual funds and stocks, the top-selling movies from 2005 and the new hot colors for 2006 have all been announced.

Well, the home fragrance industry has some awards to hand out too. Yankee Candle recently shared some of its top fragrances from 2005, and offered a sneak peeks at the trends to watch for in 2006.

"Two runaway hits in 2005 were Splash of Rain and Clean Cotton. Both reflect Americans' growing interest in clean, fresh, ozonic fragrances," according to Rick Ruffolo, senior vice president of brand, marketing, and innovation for the Yankee Candle Company. "We added a third fragrance in this segment in 2006 called Country Linen, which is off to a fast start and is expected to do equally well."

Other winners in 2005 were classic, true-to-life fruit fragrances such as MacIntosh Apple and Sweet Strawberry, along with seasonal favorites including Pumpkin Pie, Autumn Wreath, Christmas Cookie, and Mistletoe. "All of us at Yankee Candle have a real 'passion for fragrance,'" Ruffolo adds. "Fragrance has the power to evoke such positive memories . . . baking cookies with Mom, a walk on the beach, or enjoying a picnic on a lazy summer day."

Dr. Alan Hirsch, M.D., F.A.C.P., founder of the Smell and Taste Treatment and Research Foundation in Chicago, Ill., published a research article in 2005 in which he stated
that people "tend to be happier, and perhaps even more optimistic in an environment with a pleasing odor. Smells are one of the quickest ways to change mood and emotion, and can induce memories."

Dorothy D'Epiro from Centerville, Ohio agrees saying "I had Yankee Candle's Home Sweet Home fragrance burning when my children and grandchildren came home for Christmas this year. It was the added touch that helped make the moment that much more special."