Scented candles have many fans. They offer a pleasant fragrance and a soft romantic ambience and look pretty when burning. The scent can be therapeutic. But they can also cause smoke damage and require intense vigilance. The newest trend is less hazardous and lower maintenance. Make way for diffusion sticks. They are called “reed diffusers,” which are sticks of wood that stand in containers of scented liquid and wick the fragrance into the room.

The Wall Street Journal says they have long been popular in Europe and are just beginning to show up in American retail stores. At the high end, Neiman Marcus sells versions from $78 to $90 for three decanters or one large one. But on a more mass scale, Pier One has introduced diffusers in five scents for $12 to $15 each.

WSJ says the price variation is not because of the reeds, but as with perfume, the cost depends on the container and the fragrance. The more expensive smells might be based on essential oils made from hand-picked flowers or the vessel might be hand-blown glass decanters. In any event, they are easy to maintain. The reeds are just turned upside-down periodically.