The 24 Best Candle Gifts to Give All Year Long
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No matter who you’re shopping for and what the occasion is, candle gifts will put a twinkle in their eye. Candles have a way of transforming your space with a cozy ambiance and luxurious fragrance, making any room — and any person — feel special. So whether you’re looking for a gift for mom for her birthday, or a surprise for your girlfriend this Valentine’s Day, candles are an excellent choice.
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“Candles make a great gift because they feel like someone is taking care of you,” says Kudzi Chikumbu, a candle curator in Los Angeles behind the popular Instagram account Sir Candle Man. “The idea of pausing, lighting the candles and waiting to smell the candle is really an invitation to take a breath — it’s a gift of rest. Taking the time to pick the right scent represents being thoughtful — the makings of a perfect gift.”
By giving the gift of a luxury candle, a great candle from Amazon, or a candle accessory, you’re treating them to something pretty and practical. Candles can help you differentiate between different areas in your home, or different times throughout the day. Anna Franklin, the Milwaukee-based founder of interior design firm Stone House Collective, especially loves how the right candles enhance a workspace — whether that’s a home office or just a corner in your living room. “Lighting up candles in your home can help with your creative flow and instantly set the mood for your day,” Franklin says. “It also makes your space more welcoming and inviting.”
Give the gift of style, self-care, and amazing scent all year long with these top candle gifts.
Trudon The Alabasters Ernesto
Burn time: 55 to 60 hours
Wax type: Vegetable wax
Scent type: Woody
Each Trudon The Alabasters Ernesto candle makes a one-of-a-kind gift. The vessels and lids are carved out of a single alabaster block, so you’ll see unique veining and subtleties on the container. The semi-translucent finish of the stone creates a soft halo of warmth once you light the candle, with a fragrance to match — the scent contains warming notes of patchouli, leather, and tobacco.
What reviewers say: “I bought this candle as a Christmas present for myself in 2020. I have yet to put it away because in the evening when I light it, the soft glow of the flame through the alabaster is calming and beautiful.”
Trudon The Alabasters Ernesto
Trudon The Alabasters Ernesto
Trudon The Alabasters Ernesto
Harlem Candle Co. Speakeasy Ceramic Candle
Burn time: 80 hours
Wax type: Soy wax
Scent type: Smoky
The Harlem Candle Co. Speakeasy Ceramic Candle is Oprah-approved and beloved by everyone who lights the prohibition era-inspired scent. “This new ceramic vessel version features a gold-colored ‘Nightclub Map of Harlem’ illustration by E. Simms Campbell from 1932. This illustration highlights the speakeasies, nightclubs and musicians who were the shining lights during the Harlem Renaissance in the 1920s and ’30s.”
What reviewers say: “It’s a beautiful fragrance in a stunning vessel. A bit old-churchy, boozy and very cozy!”
Harlem Candle Co. Speakeasy Ceramic Candle
Harlem Candle Co. Speakeasy Ceramic Candle
Masion Francis Kurkdjian Baccarat Rouge 540 Scented Candle
Burn time: 55 hours
Wax type: French plant and mineral wax
Scent type: Ambrette floral
Maison Francis Kurkdjian’s Baccarat Rouge 540 eau de parfum is extra popular right now — and you can enjoy the fragrance in your home with this candle. The perfume is potent, but this candle wafts a subtler version of the scent that you’ll love to cozy up to after a long day or light before date night at home. It’s crafted with the same intoxicating blend of amber, saffron, jasmine, and cedar. If you’re looking for the perfect Valentine’s Day candle, this is it.
What reviewers say: “It fills my space with the delightful fragrance of Baccarat Rouge 540. Houseguests never fail to comment on the scent. The jar is very well crafted, with a beautiful lid with symbol of the maison. This is one of those items I immediately plan to replace when this one is used up.”
Masion Francis Kurkdjian Baccarat Rouge 540 Scented Candle
Masion Francis Kurkdjian Baccarat Rouge 540 Scented Candle
Candle Warmers Etc 2-in-1 Candle and Fragrance Warmer
Candle warmers are a brilliant way to scent your space without lighting a match. This candle and fragrance warmer from Amazon will be a new essential in your home. The electric warmer has a removable dish that melts scented wax; place some of the brand’s fragrant cubes, or place a classic glass candle inside to melt the wax and infuse your space with your favorite smell. It’s earned close to 15,000 five-star reviews on Amazon.
What reviewers say: “No more soot from burning candles! I can melt the jar directly on this beautiful warmer plate. The longevity of this product is also a plus because of the heat plate — no bulb needed to warm the wax.”
Candle Warmers Etc 2-in-1 Candle and Fragrance Warmer
EdensDecor Candle Care Kit Gift Set
Your candles will go the distance with EdensDecor Candle Care Kit Gift Set. The six-piece kit has everything you need to keep your favorite candles in mint condition, and a pretty gold tray to store the tools on your coffee table. Whoever you give it to will open up a high quality lighter, a wick dipper, wick trimmers, a snuffer, and a small dish for quick clean up.
What reviewers say: “This candle care set is a great gift idea for the candle lover. I make candles and I would love something like this elegant set. It comes with a velvet black bag and everything one needs to properly care for their candles.”
EdensDecor Candle Care Kit Gift Set
Diptyque 3-Piece Holiday Candle Gift Set
Burn time: 20 hours per candle
Wax type: Paraffin wax
Scent type: Various
Diptyque’s 3-Piece Holiday Candle Gift Set is an option they’ll want to burn long after the holidays are over. The trio of fragrances put a sophisticated spin on classic Christmas tree scents. The fragrances range from white musk to woody pine and rich coffee. Each one smells amazing on its own, but you can also light them all together for waves of warming fragrance.
Editor’s testing and review notes: “These small candles impart serious fragrance wherever they are, lit or not,” says senior beauty and lifestyle commerce editor Claire Sullivan. “Neige is my favorite for its powdery soft warmth.”
What reviewers say: “This set is amazing as a treat for oneself and the family for the festive season or as a gift for someone. The packaging is gorgeous and festive and the quality is supreme. The scent is lovely for all three candles — not too Christmassy or predictable but at the same time so festive.”
Diptyque 3-Piece Holiday Candle Gift Set
Diptyque 3-Piece Holiday Candle Gift Set
Aerin Petal Candle Snuffer
A quality candle snuffer is not only a practical tool for preventing soot, but also a pretty style accessory for your coffee table. The Aerin Petal Candle Snuffer has a unique clover shaped head that fully rotates, so you can easily put out candles situated in hurricanes or other deep vessels. Simply hover the snuffer over the flame for a few seconds and you’ll have a clean wick and debris-free pool of wax.
What reviewers say: “It’s beautiful, and looks very classy sitting next to my candle.”
Aerin Petal Candle Snuffer
Aerin Petal Candle Snuffer
Boy Smells Cowboy Kush Candle
Burn time: 50 hours
Wax type: Coconut wax and beeswax
Scent type: Smoky
Boy Smells candles are modern and chic; the brand is backed by fashion industry veterans and each candle is hand-poured in a reusable glass vessel. “Available on Amazon and Nordstrom, Boy Smells are easily accessible and affordable,” says Carina Chaz, a scent expert in Los Angeles and founder and CEO of DedCool. “I love the smoky scent of Cowboy Kush, a smell that even men can appreciate and grasp towards just as much as women. With unisex smells, they are such a great go-to gift for the cool guy or girl.”
What reviewers say: “It’s truly my favorite scent, only candle I will ever buy again, it’s sweet, green, warm and enveloping. It’s super strong which I love because I only need to light it for 30 minutes before guests arrive then blow it out and it will make your house smell amazing all day.”
Boy Smells Cowboy Kush Candle
Boy Smells Cowboy Kush Candle
West Elm Mid-Century Wood Lanterns
The West Elm Mid-Century Wood Lanterns are a smart way to spruce up your candle game. Just slot in a plain candle and it’ll get instant curb appeal. The lanterns are created with sustainably sourced mango wood you can shop in a few different finishes to suit your space. Display a small one for a textural element in your home, or cluster a few together for more warming ambiance.
West Elm Mid-Century Wood Lanterns
Jonathan Adler Love Vice Candle
Burn time: 40 hours
Wax type: Soy and paraffin wax
Scent type: Sweet citrus
Jonathan Adler’s career started with pottery, and his brand’s Love Vice Candle gives you a taste of the craftsmanship that catapulted him to design guru-status. The lidded container is made of glazed porcelain with hand-painted red and white stripes. And the fragrance inside has an equally bright feel — you’ll get notes of grapefruit, mint, and freesia. Best of all, it comes boxed ready for Valentine’s Day gifting.
What reviewers say: “Love the canisters so much and this sweet scent is kind, happy, and smells like a breath of hope.”
Jonathan Adler Love Vice Candle
Jonathan Adler Love Vice Candle
Jonathan Adler Love Vice Candle
Jonathan Adler Love Vice Candle
Nest New York Silver Matchbox Set
Give your matches the royal treatment with Nest New York’s Silver Matchbox Set. The textured silver sleeve will prevent dents and tears you might experience with typical matchboxes, and it ensures a sturdier light when you strike the match against the side. It’s a subtle way to improve your candle-lighting ritual.
What reviewers say: “I am obsessed! Every night, I light my candles using these long, elegant matches. I love how beautiful the silver box looks on my table — like a piece of art! The matches light up perfectly the first time.”
Nest New York Silver Matchbox Set
Nest New York Silver Matchbox Set
Le Labo Santal 26 Candle
Burn time: 60 hours
Wax type: Soy wax
Scent type: Sweet citrus
Le Labo’s eau de parfums are popular with cult favorite-beauty fans. Give a taste of those sophisticated scents with the Santal 26 Candle — it’ll transform any room with a single light of a match. “If you want to impress anyone with exquisite taste, this candle is a showstopper,” says Chaz. The scent is so unique, it’s hard to explain what it smells like other than saying it emits a feeling of warmth and sophistication. Never burned — quite frankly, you don’t need to; the smell still fills my living room.”
What reviewers say: “To me, it is a candle that can completely lift a room and mood. There is a subtle brightness and freshness, but it’s not at all overpowering.”
Le Labo Santal 26 Candle
Le Labo Santal 26 Candle
Vehhe Candle Lighter
If you’re always lighting candles, a tech-forward candle lighter is a smart accessory to keep on hand. Vehhe’s Candle Lighter has racked up more than 28,000 five-star reviews. Shoppers rave about its durability, long-lasting design, and easy-to-click button. You’ll never fuss over matches again.
What reviewers say: “I got tired of almost burning my fingers while lighting candles, so I finally decided to purchase this candlelighter. I was concerned whether I would be able to use it because I have severe arthritis in both hands. But I’m happy to say, not a problem at all!”
Vehhe Candle Lighter
Maison Margiela Replica Candle Set
Burn time: About 20 hours each
Wax type: Paraffin wax
Scent type: Various
Maison Margiela’s fragrances are designed to plunk you in a certain place or time, and this trio can transport you to a variety of spots to make you feel relaxed, cozy, or clean. The candles contain a potent 10 to 12 percent of perfume concentrate, so you’ll get a potent dose of scent with each light.
What reviewers say: “I bought this for mother-in-law for Christmas and couldn’t resist a sniff. What lovely scents, all of them! Lazy Sunday Mornings would be nice to burn in the bedroom, By The Fireplace is perfect evening scent for cosy winter evenings and Bubble bath just smells so clean and relaxing.”
Maison Margiela Replica Candle Set
Maison Margiela Replica Candle Set
Malin + Goetz Dark Rum Candle
Burn time: 60 hours
Wax type: Beeswax, vegetable wax, and soy wax
Scent type: Spicy
The guys in your life will appreciate the rich spicy notes from Malin + Goetz’s Dark Rum Candle. “A party in a candle, the scent is inspired by Old World bay rum first used by sailors traveling through the Caribbean,” says Mark Cutler, founder of the LA-based design firm cutler schulze. “Featuring notes of bergamot, leather and rum, it’s a candle that would feel appropriate in a home office or library. It’s a masculine scent that has warm notes and might possibly make one think of travel to far off lands.”
What reviewers say: “The glass is very heavy and well-made, it has an extreme longevity and I’ve been able to run it for a few months now with barely burning it down, and the smell is fantastic. You can tell that a lot of care went into this product.”
Malin + Goetz Dark Rum Candle
Malin + Goetz Dark Rum Candle
Malin + Goetz Dark Rum Candle
Voluspa Mini Candle Trio
Burn time: 25 hours
Wax type: Coconut wax
Scent type: Various
These petite Voluspa candle tins throw off hours of long-lasting scent in your space. Choose from citrus-forward Goji and Tarocco Orange, fruity Panjore Lychee, or woody French Cade and Lavender. They’re the perfect size for the powder room, desk, or by your sink, so you can scatter different scents throughout your space.
What reviewers say: “Didn’t know what to expect from the goji scent but it ended up being my absolute favorite, with the lychee as a close second. The smell is also amazing when they’re burned together. Once they burn down, I’ll have pretty tins to reuse.”
Voluspa Mini Candle Trio
Diptyque Coasted Candle Holder
Diffuse the light from your candle’s flame with Diptyque’s Coasted Candle Holder. The torch-blown, curved glass dome protects your candle from drafts while concentrating the scent. But they’ll love it for the chic look it brings to their dining table, patio, or coffee table. The glass is dishwasher safe for easy cleaning, too.
Diptyque Coasted Candle Holder
Polspotten Large Drip Candle Holder
Polspotten’s Large Drip Candle Holder is a stunning addition to bookshelves and table settings, no matter if you keep things minimal or like all the glitz and glam. The hand-crafted gold-plated aluminum holders are designed by boundary-pushing Amsterdam artist Pascal Smelik. If you’re shopping for someone who has everything, this will have them floored.
Polspotten Large Drip Candle Holder
L’Objet Lito Candle Or
Burn time: 50 hours
Wax type: Paraffin wax
Scent type: Various
L’Objet’s Lito Candle Or is a collectable art piece on its own — it features 24 karat gold plating, inlaid resin details, and hand-crafted porcelain. The single-wick candle wafts notes of vetiver, citrus, and moss when you light it. The statement-making design will get resounding approval from the eclectic set in your life.
What reviewers say: “The craftsmanship is exquisite. The scent of the candle is out of this world delicious. I put it in my living room and it adds such elegance.”
L’Objet Lito Candle Or
L’Objet Lito Candle Or
Georg Jensen Large Cobra Candlestick
The minimalist in your life will swoon for Georg Jensen’s Large Cobra Candlestick. The storied silversmith brand is known for high-quality investment pieces, and this candlestick is no different. Its made of stainless steel with 24-karat gold plating, and the soft S-wave of the design makes it a unique but timeless choice.
Georg Jensen Large Cobra Candlestick
Georg Jensen Large Cobra Candlestick
Nomad Noe Wild in Hollywood Scented Candle
Burn time: 55 hours
Wax type: Vegetable wax
Scent type: Smoky
Settle in with a heavy hitter in the fragrance world, Nomad Noé, which makes history-inspired, ultra-aromatic candles. “This is a recent release from one of the hottest brands in fragrance,” Chikumbu says. “Nomad Noé makes highly fragranced candles inspired by unique stories through history. This combination of oud, whiskey and interesting citrus feels risqué. It’s the perfect fragrance for a cool dinner party.”
Nomad Noe Wild in Hollywood Scented Candle
Nomad Noe Wild in Hollywood Scented Candle
Diptyque Feu de Bois Candle
Burn time: 60 hours
Wax type: Paraffin wax
Scent type: Woody
This luxe candle is best for anyone who deserves some serious pampering. “It’s classic,” Franklin says. “This scent mimics a fireplace — perfect for those who love a smokey, cozy holiday scent. It makes for an ideal gift for anyone who doesn’t have a fireplace in their home or is perhaps traveling for the holidays and will be away from family. It’s the perfect candle to unwind from the day with.”
What reviewers say: “This candle smells unlike any other candle I have bought. It smells like a crackling fire and is warm and woody, rather than green or floral. Diptyque always have such sophisticated scents and this is no different – it is a beautiful fragrance.”
Diptyque Feu de Bois Candle
Ginori Totem Scholar Scented Candle Holder
The Ginori Totem Scholar Scented Candle holder is made with heirloom-worthy white porcelain. The intricate design features a detailed bust with hand-painted gold accents. Place one of the brand’s votive candles inside — or set it out on it’s own for a sculptural design accent. It’s a splurge-worthy gift for the ones who are tricky to please.
Ginori Totem Scholar Scented Candle Holder
Ginori Totem Scholar Scented Candle Holder
Trudon Bees Pedestal
Bee motifs have been at the heart of centuries-old candle brand Trudon since its 17th-century founding. The Bees Pedestal gives any candle garden-variety flair. The set comes with a candle pedestal uplifted by gold bee figurines, with a matching lid to top it off in style. Moms in your life will love to add the accessory to their candle collection.
Trudon Bees Pedestal
The Different Types of Candle Gifts
Candle tools: Although they’re a low-maintenance home decor item, a few tools can extend your candle’s lifespan. Wick trimmers are handy for preventing soot on the surface of the wax and snuffers make it simple to neatly blow out the flame. Candle holders are an easy way to turn a classic taper candle into a statement style piece.
Unique candle gifts: These items are a great choice for your candle-loving friends that have a stockpile of classic candles. Treat them to items like a candle warmer, which wafts the wax’s fragrance without lighting the wick. Or go with a lantern-style candle holder that will elevate their indoor or outdoor space.
Luxury candle gifts: Classic candles from luxury brands like Ginori and Le Labo make amazing gifts — they package perfume-level quality fragrance in gorgeous vessels. But you can also upgrade their candle game with accessories like a luxe snuffer or a sleek matchbox case.
What to Look for in the Best Candle Gifts
Design: Whether you opt for a minimalistic design or an intricately painted porcelain vessel, candles can add layers of style to your home. “Candles can be useful for decorating a space,” Chikumbu explains. “Especially those candles that look really chic, like a Diptyque candle, or that have a unique look, like a Fornasetti candle.”
Fragrance: You have all the options in the world, so it’s a matter of narrowing down what you’re looking for. Consider the time of year you’re gifting during: “Warm seasonal scents like vanilla, amber, bergamot, and suede are always my favorites for the fall and holiday seasons,” says Abbe Fenimore, owner and interior designer at Studio Ten 25 in Dallas. As a general rule, citrus and coastal scents are ideal to burn during summer months, according to Cutler.
A personal touch: Smell is one of our strongest senses, and candles have the ability to uplift our mood, calm us down, and help us focus. Think about the person you’re gifting to choose a candle gift that’ll be meaningful to them. “Maybe they’re currently stressed, so giving them a calm and relaxing scent would be appropriate,” advises Chaz. “Or if they’re someone who loves the outdoors, look for scents that incorporate natural elements and notes. I think we’re all looking for ways that a smell can help us achieve escapism.”
Meet the Author
Claire Sullivan is the Senior Beauty and Lifestyle Commerce Editor for WWD and Footwear News. She’s spent over five years researching, reporting on, and writing about the beauty industry for publications like Martha Stewart Living, Martha Stewart Weddings, InStyle, and Byrdie. She’s been a candle buff for ages, so she knows what makes a standout gift in the category.
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