The Greatest Candle Presents to Give—Or Deal with Your self

The best candles aren’t merely delightful-smelling: They can encourage the recipient to slow down, set an intention, and maybe even relax and refocus—something we could all use a little (or a lot) of help with. Aside from looking great, the candles you purchase should be somewhat heavy, so you know they won’t burn up in one sitting, and good enough quality that you aren’t concerned about the chemicals they send into the air. (Soy wax, coconut wax, and beeswax candles are some of the cleanest-burning options out there, and candles scented with essential oils tend to be free of synthetic fragrances, so be sure to seek those nontoxic options out, if that’s important to you or your recipient.) 

And when it comes to scent, there’s a world of options. Go for rustic relaxation with D.S. & Durga’s Tomb of the Eagles Candle, or something bright and uplifting like Maison Margiela’s Springtime in a Park. Whether you pick one cute candle to gift your votive-loving best friend or buy a selection to bring some love to multiple corners of your own house, you can’t go wrong. Some of our favorite candles even come in their own little gift boxes or patterned tins—and who isn’t a sucker for adorable packaging?

Below are the 43 best candles to create a relaxing ambiance at home or to give as a present—because candle gifts work for everyone (including yourself!).

All of Spoken Flames’ candles emit a soft crackling noise when burned for a one-of-a-kind experience every time. The Fearless candle fuses a bright mix of orange, clove, and cedarwood to bring a bold energy to your space.

Made in France, Ligne Blanche’s cheeky Andy Warhol–inspired Campbell Candle smells of basil, mint, and tomato.

With their tasseled, toile-covered pagoda packaging, Seda France’s candles are a gift before you’ve even unwrapped them. This one smells like spring, featuring a blend of Japanese quince, rhubarb, white peach, passion fruit, and white jasmine.

With notes of clover, island moss, and sea pinks (which is possibly the cutest plant name we’ve ever heard), this fresh D.S. & Durga candle will conjure up good vibes wherever it fits in your home decor.

You could also pick up something ultra-festive from D.S. & Durga’s holiday candle collection like this citron and laurel Chanukah scent, or the brand’s Portable Xmas Tree candle with notes of fresh spruce and cardamom.

This designer candle is crisp, delicate, and fruity, with notes of lily, jasmine, and pear to bring the sensation of springtime strolls alongside budding greenery right to your own home.

The cheeky L.A. candlemakers at Boy Smells have teamed up with pop star Kacey Musgraves to make this candle that conveys a harmonious mix of incense, black pepper, ginger zest, raspberry, and cedarwood.

Young Victorian women were apparently forbidden from inhaling the scent of tuberose lest they have a spontaneous orgasm (!), so gift this ultra-sultry candle very wisely.

You know the smell of a new leather bag or pair of shoes? This is that, but with no animals harmed in the making. These sleek candles by Marie Hunter Beauty are made of soy and coconut wax and burn for up to 90 hours.

Literie’s candles are inspired by the scents of New York. This particular pick pays homage to the roasted nut carts located throughout Times Square. Caramelized sugar wafts through the air every time you pass them, and this candle brings that scrumptious smell right into your living room. 

Homesick makes candles inspired by each state. Their take on New York plays on spring days spent in Central Park and the overall buzz found in every borough, translated through notes of bergamot, jasmine, lemon, grapefruit, water lilies, oak moss, sandalwood, musk, and—we kid you not—concrete.

This sweet blend of citrus, berry, and lemon smells exactly like Fruit Loops. It’s a pleasant, invigorating scent that immediately transports you to childhood mornings with spoon in hand and cartoons blasting. Not only do we love this candle, we love Mala—it’s an eco-friendly brand that’s partnered with Trees for the Future to have a tree planted for every purchase made. Mala is responsible for more than 36,000 new trees around the globe. 

This limited edition, 1970s candle by British designer Bella Freud is said to capture the illustrious era’s scent in all its glory through a blend of patchouli, oak moss, musk, and many other ingredients.

Not only does this candle from California company Candlessentials offer green apple and citrus scents, but it also comes in sustainably packaging that can be planted in the earth to grow wildflowers. A great gift that truly keeps giving.

It may not always be in season to drink, but chances are you have a rosé-loving friend who’d be delighted to receive this coconut wax candle with a cotton wick and a wink. And really, aren’t the best candles to give as gifts the ones that show you know your audience?

When you can’t travel to the tropics, you can bring the tropics home in the form of this soy wax candle by the Danish brand Frama. Its orange, bergamot, and ylang-ylang scents are meant to evoke the paradise of Bali.

There’s something so satisfying about a candle that’s the same hue from wax to container. The scent is one part trendy (palo santo) and one part classic (white roses).

For a decidedly grown-up vibe, the Speakeasy candle is meant to evoke illicit nights out and the pleasure of breaking the rules with its tobacco, bourbon, and palo santo notes. 

Cope, a homewares line by the Calico Wallpaper founders, has a few refreshing candles inspired by the seascapes of New England where they grew up. Each candle is packed in a box of its signature splatter wallpaper.

Not only is the Kasbah Candle a fun and bright design item for the season, but it’s also sustainably manufactured, free of parabens, and will arrive at your door in a cute little gift box.

AD editor in chief Amy Astley highly recommends this splurge-worthy candle from Loewe: “I love the chunkiness, the heft, [and] the jumbo size,” she says. Bonus: When the candle has burned down, “you can keep the vessel for anything you want—and it’s nice that this one isn’t delicate and teeny.”

This jar candle from up-and-coming brand Partaje is relaxation in a jar. By combining notes of red cedar, dried green herbs, and firewood, you can bring the calming feel of a spa to your living room any time.

For the ultimate form of escapism, try Trudon’s Positano candle, made in collaboration with Giambattista Valli. Inspired by the designer’s love of the region, this delicate combination of florals and fruits is meant to capture Positano’s charm and transport you right to the coast.

Or consider this candle that boasts scents of roasted coffee, fresh cardamom, and cedar. It was designed in homage to the namesake Lebanese city and made in celebration of Diptyque’s 60th anniversary. 

From Instagram-friendly candle brand Otherland come plenty of sweet gift options. Take Chandelier, a coconut and soy wax blend of Champagne, saffron, and leather that you’ll never want to end. Fortunately, it promises 55 hours of burn time.

This unique candle is a two-in-one gift: Once the candle has burned down, you can plant the seed-embedded dust cover and soil pod inside the attractive terrazzo vessel. Just water and watch your mini herb garden flourish—it’s really two gifts in one. 

And what’s better than one Boy Smells candle? This pack of three mini candles lets you try a bunch of fresh scents, or you can parcel them out as individual holiday gifts or stocking stuffers.

Perhaps you’re more familiar with A.P.C.’s excellent clothing basics, but we think this sweet-smelling jasmine candle from the quintessential French label is the perfect decor accessory to outfit your home.

Anyone (especially true bibliophiles) will appreciate this best-selling candle from Byredo that diffuses a bookish scent lined with notes of peach, plum, and vanilla.

Designed to mimic the smell of a vintage Hermès suede jacket, this candle from Nette smells of cardamom, violet leaf, sandalwood, and amber. Pick it out to enhance your home fragrance scheme.

Come for the kooky-googly eyes, stay for the carefully crafted scent made to evoke happy memories through a blend of sweet and savory notes. 

New York–based Keap is a zero-waste brand that even offers subscription options to have fresh candles delivered to your doorstep every month. Though there are tons of responsibly made options to choose from, we’d go with Northlands, which has notes of fir, pine, absinthe, and musk. 

We’d be remiss not to include this ever-popular pick from Diptyque. Baies is a blissful mix of blackcurrant leaves and fresh roses. Don’t let its petite size fool you, this baby will burn for 20 hours. 

Sparkling berries, soothing vanilla, fresh grapes, harvest apple and cinnamon cloves? This is one of the best smelling candles to pull out during sweater weather.  

Even if it’s cold and blustery outside, this orange blossom and honey candle from Catbird will transport your senses to the sunny Italian coast.

This seasonal scent is perfect to pull out during the holidays. It has top notes of balsam fir, bayberry, and rock rose, with an undertone of woody sage. Light it up, and you’ll feel like you’re in a majestic forest or sitting by a freshly cut Christmas tree. 

The ultimate cozy night in wouldn’t be complete without Nomad Noé’s Dreamer candle, whose soothing notes of firewood, tobacco, and hint of vanilla give any room a warm and sophisticated feel. 

Lime, eucalyptus, and violet leaves come together to create a peaceful scent that’s reminiscent of a herbal tea. 

Voluspa’s elegant glass vessels look great on shelves, coffee tables, and nightstands, and they’re not just pretty to look at it. They have an expansive library of scents, and gardenia colonia is one of our favorites. It’s a floral pick that’s bursting with tangerine blossom, night blooming jasmine, iris, amber, cinnamon bark, and—of course—gardenia. 

Another one of the best candles is this earthy blend from Grant Street Candle Co. The candle will make your home smell like warm spice thanks to sandalwood, patchouli, amber, and musk, all topped with sage, tangerine, and mango. The hand-poured candle has an ample 60-hour burn time.

Relax and unwind with Alicia Keys’ calming, artisanal candle. Each of her hand-poured candles has a mantra, and the mantra for sage and oat milk candle is, “Shine at full wattage.” Light the wick, embrace the message, and then indulge in a subtle, sweet scent.

This gorgeous candle smells as good as it looks. The scent is a romantic mix of amber, vanilla, and sandalwood. The sprinkle of rose quartz crystals on top of the soy candle is an added bonus. Plus, after the candle melts, you can keep the crystals to channel that energy. 

With notes of sandalwood, ginger, and even a hint of saffron, this 100% soy wax candle will surely be adored by fans of luxurious yet earthy scents.