What it smells like: amber and rose
Best Gourmand: Glasshouse Festival of Lights Candle
Why it’s worth it: Unless you’re certain your giftee has a strong sweet tooth (sweet…nose?) a gourmand candle can be a risk. But Glasshouse’s Festival of Lights Candle—with its notes of cinnamon, apple cake, vanilla, and jasmine—is more subtly sweet than bakery-in-your-face. Every candle company claims you can reuse their vessels; since this one comes with a glass lid that fits snugly, I believe you actually might.
What it smells like: sugar and spice
Prettiest Candle Vessel: Oribe Desertland Candle
Why it’s worth it: While there is pine in Oribe Desertland Candle’s top notes, the wildflower-centric scent is decidedly season-agnostic. Sure, that fragrance is lovely, but the glass vessel—black with just a pop of green—is what really makes this gifting appropriate.
What it smells like: crisp and floral
More gifting-ready candles I love:
Le Labo Cyprés 21 Candle
Why it’s worth it: The press release for Le Labo’s Cyprés 21 says it evokes a cabin deep in the woods. I think it smells more like walking into the lobby of a fancy hotel near a ski resort; the type with a real roaring fireplace and freshly cut pine trees. Whichever of those situations your giftee would rather be in, I’m certain they’ll love this candle.
What it smells like: evergreens and spices
Voluspa Crushed Candy Cane Candle
Why it’s worth it: This peppermint Crushed Candy Cane Candle from Voluspa provides a fresh twist on your typical holiday gourmand; it’s not an ultra-rich bakery-inspired scent, but still quite sweet. The red jar looks absolutely stunning once it’s all lit up.
What it smells like: minty and sweet
Carrière Frères Cedar Candle
Why it’s worth it: For those who find balsam a bit…overdone for the holidays (couldn’t be me), perhaps a different type of evergreen will do the trick. The scent of Carrière Frères’ Cedar Candle is a bit sharper than the sweet pine you might be used to, which I think makes it a more subtle option for scenting the home.
What it smells like: dry and woody
Le Prunier Harvest Smoke Candle
Why it’s worth it: You’ve heard of sugar plums, but what about smoky plums? The latter doesn’t actually exist…except in the scent of Le Prunier’s Harvest Smoke Candle, which manages to make a fruity fragrance decidedly hibernal. It’s sweet and juicy but balanced out with cozy notes like cedarwood and orris.
