There is something about the holiday season that makes me pay extra extension to scents. Whether it’s the smell of someone’s wood-burning fireplace (mixed with pinecones and chestnuts perhaps!) or the scent of a wreath on your neighbor’s front door, or the delicious smell of a family meal or perhaps just a simple scent that is different in each room, this time of year I enjoy taking in the sights and smells!
Perhaps it’s these reasons that make me love candles so much around the holidays, both to give and to receive. Anthropologie has an excellent collection of options. Inside, my 5 favorite candles to give and my 5 favorites to receive, starting with the Candlefish Ceramic Candle ($28), which has a soft smell that doesn’t overpower — scent no. 83, with jasmine and amber notes in the jar with the white and golden waves on it is my personal favorite.
Are looks everything when it comes to candles? If so, it is any wonder that I love to receive the Voluspa Rounded Cut Glass Candle ($26, above)? The truth is I only burn candles in the summer and winter for whatever reason and the rest of the time they serve as decor. This time of year it’s hard to beat the Goji Berry in terms of appearance, but my favorite scents are the Ebony & Stone Fruit and the Panjore Lychee. Voluspa has several pretty containers that are equally as pretty, like the Limited Edition Japonica Candle Tin ($18) which looks great on side tables. If it’s hard to pick just one candle I love to give the Voluspa Japonica Embossed Votive Gift Set ($40), which includes 6 mini candles in light, brilliantly warm scents or the Voluspa Limited Edition Japonica Mini Candle Set ($24), which features 3 mini candles in pretty decorated jars.
Warning: the Boulangerie Jar ($18, above) candles from Illume smell so good they just might make you hungry! I received the Angel Food scent several years back as a gift and it was so delightful that I burned through it quickly and have repurchased it each year since! I usually start burning it around Thanksgiving while cooking and then it steadily fills the kitchen with an appealing aroma right through Christmas. The Cookie Cutter Candle ($14) likewise comes in a scent guaranteed to tempt!
Illume also makes some lovely winter scents that don’t smell like food in the Winter Wonder Candle ($18). The Balsam & Cedar scent smells just like a crackling fire! And speaking of fires, if you want the look of a fire a great quirky gift is the Campfire Candle ($20)! I’ve purchased three to give this Christmas. Another great quirky gift is the Capri Blue Zodiac Candle ($14), which comes with tops for each astrological sign (you may have to get 2 for your friends on the cusp).
The Capri Blue Mercury candles come in several variations, like the Mini Capri Blue Jar Candle ($12) which I love for its iridescent sheen. What are some of your favorite candles to gift and receive?
