Nothing gets me excited for winter quite like a really great candle. Whether I’m throwing open the curtains first thing or snuggling down on a cold, dark evening, you better believe I’ve got a candle burning. The thing I love the most about candles is, unlike perfumes, you can chop and change them depending on your mood. While I might like to burn a fresh, up-and-at-’em sort of candle to get me ready for the day, come evening, I want to be enveloped by warm, cosy scents.
It is because I use candles in such a way that I am always on the hunt for the best ones around and burn through them at an alarming rate. Rather embarrassingly, I have been known to get through more than five candles in one month. As a result, you’d be hard-pressed to find a candle I haven’t tried.
And as we gear up for the festive season ahead and start racking our brains for gift ideas, I thought now would be the best time to put my candle wisdom to some good use. Whether you’re looking to buy the perfect gift or simply want to get more out of your candle budget, keep scrolling for the best candle gift sets available right now.
No one does festive candles better than Diptyque, and that’s a fact. The brand’s offering is so good that I keep a stash to burn well into the New Year. This season’s offering is quite possibly the best it’s ever done. Sapin smells like fresh pine trees and a crackling fire, Coton is a fresh but musky winter floral, and the main event is Delice: a warm, fruity scent that smells like cookies baking in the oven.
Whether you’re into luxurious self-care or are buying for someone whose candle tastes aren’t clear-cut, this trio is perfect. There is nothing polarising about these scents. Bosco is the perfect one to burn on bright winter’s days, Portafortuna is the ultimate way to wind down at the end of a busy day thanks to soothing camomile, and Neve Fresca blends floral and citrus for a blissful slumber. There really is something for every mood.
Another great Christmas gift option, this trio comprises two festive scents and one all-rounder. Christmas Wish is a spicier candle, smelling of mandarin and cinnamon, while Perfect Peace is fresher with pine and lime peel. The true gem, however, is Cosy Nights—a mind-soothing blend of sandalwood, frankincense, and nutmeg. Plus, they look irresistibly good on the side.
While the brand has been making mouth-wateringly good perfumes for well over a century, Penhaligon’s is the new kid on the candle scene. Launched only a couple of months ago, these new candles are just as good as you’d expect. Maduro Leaf is a smoky delight that is reminiscent of soft leather and cigars, Comoros Pearl is a warm floral scent that oozes luxury, and Roanoke Ivy is soft but earthy and woody all at once. If you’re into luxury scents, don’t scroll past this one.
I tried ESPA candles for the first time this year, and they are quickly climbing to the top of my must-have list. This particular set contains two of my favourites. From the uplifting florals of Positivity to the calming cosiness of Restorative, each candle is totally exquisite.
This is by far the best all-rounder set out there. Whereas most candle gift sets cater towards one particular family of fragrance, this trio is wonderfully diverse. Lazy Sunday Morning smells like a freshly pressed cotton shirt, By the Fireplace smells like a burning log fire, and Bubble Bath is a clean, cosy scent made for bath-side lighting. If I received this as a gift, I would very much be over the moon.
Created by Jo Malone CBE, Jo Loves candles are amongst my favourites ever, and the Christmas scents sit comfortably within my top five. What’s more, this set allows you to choose the candles it contains. Jo by Jo Loves (which is also one of my favourite perfumes) is a citrusy grapefruit scent ideal for cold afternoons, while Christmas Trees is a piney delight, and Mulled Wine possesses a dizzying spice. When I have any of these three candles burning, it’s tough to entice me out of the house.
If you consider yourself a candle connoisseur and you’re yet to try Boy Smells candles, take this to be a nudge. The colourful metallic jars should be enough to sell you, but if not, the delicious scents will. Cedar Stack is a little bit musky and a little bit woody, Hinoki Fantome is a warm, floral scent enveloped by fresh greens, while St. Al is warm and creamy in the most delectable way.
Totally luxurious, this set from Le Labo is a feat containing some of the best candles in existence. Petit Grain 21 is a fresh, green scent that makes for the perfect morning burn, Incens 9 is rich and indulgent, and Santal 26 is a clean, woody scent that freshens up the room in an instant.
If you typically gravitate towards scents that are a little quirky and different, then Malin + Goetz is the candle brand for you. Perfect for trying before you buy, this set contains votives of some of their most popular fragrances.
Next Up: My Friend Said That My House Smells Like a Luxury Hotel When I Burn This Candle