These strange but beautiful candleholders come via a collaborative effort by designers from three different Nordic countries. Hugdetta from Iceland, Petra Lilja from Sweden, and Aalto+Aalto from Finland joined forces for an experiment entitled 1+1+1, which “examines and reimagines objects by having each studio design an object consisting of three distinct parts and then mixing the parts up into unpredictable combinations.” The result is a series of cabinets, mirrors, lamps, and these candleholders.

Learn more about these strange candleholders

© Mashable, Vicky Leta

Before you get too excited (which we really hope you’re not), let us tell you that these candles don’t actually exist. They’re a funny series from Mashable that parodies the stench of the city during a season when pleasant candle scents like “ocean breeze” and “fresh-cut peonies” take over shelves.

While NYC doesn’t generally smell like roses, the heat and humidity do a fine job at intensifying all of the gag-inducing odors one encounters while navigating a typical day. Candle scents illustrated here include Underfed Alley Cat Seduction, Eau du Subway Passenger, Rotting Produce, Formerly Fresh Baked Pizza, and a Gentle Gust of Garbage Truck, among some even more horrendous offenders.

Check the rest out here

Candles are probably the easiest, most common holiday gift when you just don’t have a clue what to get someone. But after several years of giving the same old candle, it gets a little boring. So we’ve found the perfect outside-the-box candle for architecture buffs, tech nerds, or anyone who will love an attractive eco-candle.

The AU Collection by artist and designer Andrej Urem is a series of 3D-printed candles inspired by architectural forms. And they’re made right here in Brooklyn.

More on the AU Collection