I Gifted My Dad This Unique Candle, and He Bought Three More

Out of everyone in my family, my dad is the hardest person to buy gifts for, by far (and I’m sure many can relate). He’s a nature lover first and foremost, but there’s only so much camping gear and artwork you can buy for a person (hello, headlamps and wildlife photography). That’s why I was thrilled to stumble upon Parks Project, a company that sells national parks-themed home decor and outdoor items, like candles, reed diffusers, and mugs.

I ordered the Joshua Tree Desert Campfire Soy Candle for my dad because the southern California destination is one of his favorite places on Earth — but the brand also offers Big Sur, Glacier, Yosemite, and Rocky Mountain versions. Each one has a slightly retro-looking design, plus its own distinct outdoor-centric scent. The Joshua Tree candle specifically blends notes of campfire, sagebrush, and juniper, with an impressive 80-hour burn time. I knew my dad would love this gift, but I never could have guessed that he’d immediately buy three more!

Parks Project is a surprising treasure trove of gift ideas overall — especially for the outdoorsy and travel-oriented people in your life. Beyond candles, they also sell park-inspired clothing, calendars, puzzles, coolers, and more. To top it all off, you can feel good shopping knowing that the organization has donated over $2 million to nonprofits on behalf of national parks. It’s also a Certified B Corp, meaning that it meets certain standards regarding its environmental and social impact.

Take it from my tough-to-shop-for dad: If you’re looking for unique presents from a lesser-known company (with a feel-good mission, to boot), you can’t go wrong shopping via Parks Project.