The 24 Best Candles to Give as Gifts

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There's no easier gift than a candle. Going to a dinner and need a little something for your host? Candle. Gift for a man? A man who has everything? A man with luxury tastes? Candle, candle, candle. It's a simple holiday gift. It's a great affordable gift. It's probably the most popular thing to gift. And, that doesn't even make gifting a candle played out. We still think it's a great idea.

But unless you've got weeks of your life to go out to every big retailer and small wax pourer, you're never going to find the best candle to gift. There's too many options, and none of the descriptions are straightforward enough to give you the overall vibe. That's where we (the Esquire editors) come in. We've smelt 'em all, and you can trust our taste. These are our favorite candles, and they're the best candles to give as gifts this year.

Portable Fireplace Candle

All I want, especially in winter, is the smell of a fireplace.

Maui Candle

Want to get them thinking of summer days? Brooklen Candle Studio's Maui is one of our favorite interpretations, mostly down to those base notes of sea moss and driftwood.

Fucking Fabulous Candle

Just like the name, it really grabs you—bright and herbal to start, seductive and rich after that, and you're hooked.

Rhinelander Flagship Candle

The signature smell of Ralph's NYC men's flagship is wonderful in the colder months. Valencia orange, clove, cinnamon, and amber add up to a citrus-spicy masterpiece.

Temple des Mousses Candle

Diptyque's new venture is refillable candles. We like this earthy green holder, and the cool, green smell is very Zen as well. Plus, we can never argue with sustainability.

No.1 The First Cut Candle

Focus on what they love. And if they love golf, we have the candle for them. Made to smell like a freshly cut fairway, which is probably where they'd rather be.

Cypress Scented Candle

It's strange to say, but Lucchese—our favorite cowboy boot company—actually made our favorite holiday candle of 2023. Cinnamon and absinthe add spice to a perfectly woody base.

Bookworm 3-Wick Candle

Woody library shelves, backed by the crisp clean of parchment and a fiery dose of amber.

Baies Candle

Everyone's favorite smell, and in that monochrome black, there's a reason it's always a holiday best seller.

Ball Boy Scented Candle

"Freshly uncanned tennis balls," oh fuck yes, I'm in.

Happy Hour Candle

All of Brooklinen's candles are lovely, but Happy Hour is a nice mix of calming herbals and cedar.

Italian Kush Candle

Boy Smells is hot, and its candles are everywhere. The most noteworthy though is the kush set—all of which list cannabis in the scent notes. You don't get a ton of kush in this lemony-basil candle, but its there and quite pleasant.

Parquet Leather Candle

Basketball is my favorite sport! I like the way they dribble up and down the court!

National Park Candles

They all smell generally woodsy, but they're all great, crackling candles.

Cotton Poplin Scented Candle

One of the Byredo classics. Nothing beats the smell of fresh line-dried clothing.

Santal 26 Candle

Spicy, smokey, musky, and leathery, it's as seductive as a candle can get.

Volcano Tin Candle

Ever been in an Anthropologie? If yes, you've smelt Capri Blue. Fresh, fruity, and just a bit sugary, it's a lovely candle.

Sandalwood Rose Candle

Rose is a tough addition to candles, because it can just become only rose. P.F. Candle Co. doesn't fall into that. The sandalwood pairing brings plenty of woodiness to match the floral rose.

Clary Sage Candle

Sage plays the starring role, and we love that. But, it's supported by some wonderful floral and citrus notes.

Buongiorno Candle

Lemon, mint, and rosemary: In other words, it smells like late spring in Italy.

Tomato Leaves Candle

The scent of summer. Loewe does it single scent and gets it perfectly matched.

Forest Green Candle

Leathery and earthy, like a cabin in the woods, J.Crew's new signature candle isn't new or challenging, but it sure is good.

Neroli and Sea Salt Candle

Like waking up in a Mediterranean town near the sea—salty air, floral and citrusy Neroli. That's it. That's why it's so good.

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