13 Candles For Everyone On Your Gift List

For some, gifting candles during the holidays might bring up that one SNL Christmas Candle skit, but I like to think we’ve evolved since then. People of all ages, genders, and walks of life can appreciate a good candle moment 😌 The secret is to not buy some lame-o, bland candle that nobody wants to burn. And you can find candles that fit the bill for every budget!! So that’s what we’re doing today— talking about candles to gift to everyone on your list, at every price point.

I included links to all these candles— some major retailers and some small businesses, but you can also find them at local stores near you! For my fellow Essex County, NJ residents— check out Brave Floral. In addition to their stunning selection of locally grown flowers, they also carry a variety of candles including Boy Smells!

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For the Glossier Gurls

So we’re not actually supporting Glossier ‘round these parts at the moment (see: @outtathegloss) BUT that doesn’t mean we can’t reminisce about their showroom and how amazing it smells. Their signature scent is Byredo’s Burning Rose which has top notes of rose petals, heart notes of leather, rose absolute, violet, and base notes of birch tree, ebony wood. This is not your grandma’s powdery rose scent (no offense, grandma) but rather a deeper take on the classic scent.

$45- $85, 2.5 or 8.5 oz via Nordstrom, Saks, Violet Grey, & Net-A-Porter

For the Bougie Candle Snobs

This is not a candle for the casual candle lovers (unless you have an unlimited budget in which case, go wild.) They’re literally a work of art with a price tag to match!

$165+ via Matches; $210+ via Saks, Net-A-Porter, & Farfetch

For the Art Hoe

This candle has been replicated so many times at this point, but I think giving credit where credit is due is important! The Hannah candle (and accompanying Him candle) is pretty much iconic if you follow any minimalist lifestyle influencers on Instagram. They feature the candle artfully, partially melted on a marble table, in a cream colored room, with sunlight naturally pouring in through sheer curtains (or maybe this is what I see cause I spend too much time online.) They’re hand made in Brooklyn, and you can find them in local boutiques through the city.

$80 via Hannah Candle, Prospect NY, Bon Femmes, & Adaptations NY

For the One Who Loves Watching Beauty Youtube

Earlier this year, Jackie Aina launched her very own candle company— FRVR Mood! I have yet to try any of her candles, but have heard good things about her Send Moods collection which features a bevy of gourmand scents. The brand also has gift sets featuring both votives and full-sized candles, meaning less wrapping and packing for you 😉

$35+ via FRVR Mood

For the Loverrr

Roses are romantic but a sophisticated rose candle is even better 😉Out of all the rose candles I’ve ever purchased, this is my favorite— it’s the perfect balance of sweet floral notes. Take your pick with the brand’s iconic pink packaging or have a little fun with hologram.

$55- $68 via Sephora, Matches, Overose, & Cult Beauty

For the One With the Cute Apartment

Funky shaped candles are definitely having a moment in 2020, and no save-worthy apartment on Instagram is complete without one. Two new stores that have been very popular on Instagram for their affordable fun shaped candles are Your Moon Candle and Nata Concept Store, but there are plenty more out there waiting to be discovered! Etsy is a great place to start your search.

$4- $18 via Your Moon Candle Etsy & £8- £20 via Nata Concept Store

For the Add On Gift

So you’re looking for an affordable add on gift that’s budget friendly but still makes it look like you put some effort into thoughtfully picking out a present that’s cute and trendy? These taper candles are under $5 and produce a 🌈rainbow 🌈 of wax when melted. I have them in pink/red color way I cannot find online, but have found in store at World Market and Urban Outfitters. Otherwise, the ones I’ve linked below are a rainbow!

$4 via World Market, Urban Outfitters, & Amazon

For the One With All the Holiday Cheer

While I haven’t had a chance to smell Diptyque’s Moonlit Fur candle due to covid, I’m recommending it because a) their pine scent every year is 💣 b) the reviews have been 👍👍👍👍Their holiday pine scents feature the perfect blend of woodsy notes that evoke the holiday spirit, but aren’t boring or bland. The festive limited edition packaging helps maximize all the cozy, wintery feels.

$40- $78, 70g or 190g via Bloomingdale’s, Net-A-Porter, & Space NK

For the One Dreaming of New York

New York, New Yooooork! Harlem Candle Company’s Ellington candle is the perfect present for anyone dreaming for their next visit to the Big Apple. Inspired by the Harlem Renaissance with its packaging and notes, it’s beautiful inside and out. It has a 80 hour burn time which is very generous, as well as two wicks (which in my experience leads to a cleaner, more even burn 👌)

$50 via Harlem Candle Company

For the DIY-er

If you follow any design accounts on pinterest or tik tok or instagram, you’ve probably seen super cute twist candles. They can be kind of pricey and not many US based retailers sell them (Design Within Reach has them… on backorder for 10 weeks+), but you’re in luck!! They’re really easy to DIY. You buy taper candles and then pick a tutorial to follow (like this one) and hopefully find yourself with some twisty, bendy candles after. Could be fun as a gift that you create yourself and give, or you can create a DIY kit with instructions so the recipient can have fun making their own twisty candles!

Buy at your local craft store

For the One Who Likes the Idea of DIY But Would Rather Just Buy It

No shame in that game, I often fit into this category. And you know what I’ve purchased two of over the past month? The Lex Potts twist candle! All the thrill of a twisty candle with 0 of the work.

$40.00 via Mociun, Coming Soon NY, Mulburry & Grand, & Urban Outfitters

For the One Who Wants an Ettore Sottsass Ultrafragola Mirror

You know that one squiggly mirror with the millennial pink border that all the cool girls have? I’m going to assume that post people reading this post don’t have 10k to spend on a mirror to gift to a loved one, so here’s an under $25 option that fits the vibe. Areaware’s goober candles!

$24 via Shopbop, Moca, & Burke Decor

For Literally Anybody

Boy Smells makes genderless products—be it candles or underwear. This makes them the perfect gift for everyone cause they’re not trying to aggressively shove gender stereotypes down your throat. This isn’t a candle fOr a WomAn, it’s a candle for every freaking body. My pick for universally loved scent is LES— it’s deliciously woodsy and fruity, and even my dad (who generally does not care about candle scents either way) likes it. You can also browse their beautiful limited edition candles if you want something in fun, colorful packaging.

$32+ via Nordstrom, Boy Smells, & Maison Rouge