Are Candles A Good Christmas Gift?
Candles can make for wonderful gifts during the Christmas season. With their warm glow, lovely scents, and cozy ambiance, candles help set the mood for a festive holiday celebration. Giving candles as presents allows you to share comfort, joy, and the special feeling of Christmas with friends and family.
Candles also reflect the tradition of bringing light to the darkest time of the year that is so central to the Christmas holiday. Their flames provide a literal warmth and light during cold winter days and nights. When you give the gift of candles at Christmas, you’re keeping this beloved tradition alive.
With so many styles, scents, and decorative vessels to choose from, candles make versatile, personalized presents that show care and thoughtfulness. They can be enjoyed by recipients of all ages and tailored to individual tastes and interests. Candles are a budget-friendly gift as well, suitable for both small and more elaborate holiday gifts.
History of Candles as Christmas Gifts
The tradition of giving candles as Christmas gifts dates back to early Christian times. Candles held religious and spiritual meaning, as they symbolized Jesus Christ being the light of the world. During winter solstice celebrations like Christmas, candles also represented light and hope during the darkest time of the year.
In the Middle Ages and Renaissance era, Christians would place candles in their windows on Christmas Eve to guide strangers and show hospitality. Candles were also given as tokens to carolers and Christmas well-wishers. Over time, the act of gift giving candles evolved into a popular Christmas tradition. Families would exchange homemade candles, often created from beeswax harvested that year. The candles served as both festive decor and useful household items during the winter.
Today, giving candles and candleholders as Christmas presents remains a beloved tradition around the world. While the religious significance has faded, candles still represent holiday warmth, light, and bringing people together. Their classic beauty and coziness make them a quintessential Christmas gift.
Types of Candles
There are several common types of candles that make great Christmas gifts:
Jar Candles
Jar candles are candles poured into a glass jar container. They often have creative fragrances and comes in various shapes and sizes. Jar candles tend to burn longer than other candle types, making them a practical gift that provides hours of enjoyment.
Pillar Candles
Pillar candles are long, cylindrical candles that stand upright. They come in a range of heights and widths, from slim tapers to wide pillars. Pillar candles look elegant and make festive centerpieces. They also showcase creative designs, colors, or materials when etched, embossed, or glittered.
Votive Candles
Votive candles are short, cylindrical candles designed to sit in candle holders. They’re inexpensive and burn for up to 15 hours. Votive candles can be used to create ambiance and holiday decor. Gift a set of votives with several candle holders for an easy, customizable gift.
Tea Light Candles
Tea lights are very small candles in metal or plastic containers. They have a short burn time, only lasting for a few hours. Tea lights are extremely versatile – use them in luminaries, put them in a holder, or float them in water. Gift a bag of tea lights for fun, easy candle lighting all season long.
Benefits of Giving Candles as Gifts
Candles make for wonderful holiday gifts because they provide so many benefits beyond just the physical candle itself. Here are some of the top reasons candles make great Christmas presents:
Ambiance – One of the best things about candles is the ambiance they create. The warm, cozy glow of a candle instantly makes any space feel more welcoming and festive. During the holidays when people have guests over for parties or family gatherings, candles help set the perfect mood.
Decoration – Candles often come in beautiful, decorative holders, jars, or packaging. They lend a decorative touch to any space when displayed on tables, mantels, countertops, etc. During the holidays when people decorate their homes, a beautifully packaged or designed candle fits right in with the rest of the decor.
Scent – Candles come in so many wonderful seasonal scents that evoke the holidays. Scents like pine, peppermint, apple cider, and vanilla bring the smells of Christmas to life indoors. When lit, the scent fills the air and creates an immersive, nostalgic sensory experience.
Drawbacks of Candles as Gifts
While candles can make thoughtful gifts, there are some potential drawbacks to consider.
One major concern with gifting candles is the fire hazard they can pose. Candles have an open flame that can lead to accidental fires if not used cautiously. Things like keeping candles away from flammable materials, not leaving them unattended, and placing them out of reach of children and pets are important safety steps when using candles.
Candles can also trigger allergic reactions or asthma symptoms in some individuals. The perfumes and fragrances used in scented candles contain chemicals that can irritate airways or cause headaches, sneezing, or wheezing in sensitive people. Be mindful of any allergies or sensitivities your gift recipient may have.
In general, make sure to follow all fire safety recommendations on candle labels and choose unscented or mildly scented candles if gifting to someone with respiratory issues. While candles can make great gifts, giving them safely is key.
Best Candle Scents
When choosing a scented candle as a gift, it’s important to consider the most universally enjoyed and festive scents. Some of the most popular scented candles for gifting during Christmas include:
Balsam and Pine Fir: These evergreen scents evoke the smell of fresh Christmas trees and winter forests. They provide a festive, holiday atmosphere and feel clean and refreshing.
Apple Spice and Spiced Cider: Warm aromas like cinnamon, nutmeg, and cloves smell like freshly baked treats and cozy evenings by the fire. These sweet, nostalgic scents set a comforting mood.
Peppermint and Sugar Cookie: The whiff of minty candy canes or freshly baked cookies create a mouthwatering impression. These playful, cheerful fragrances capture the joy of the season.
Vanilla, Berries, and Citrus: Timeless, crowd-pleasing scents with fresh, fruity top notes. These create an elegant and energizing ambiance perfect for gifting.
When selecting a candle’s scent, it’s best to choose universally enjoyed fragrances that conjure up the nostalgia, coziness, and celebration of the holidays. These popular Christmas candle scents make perfect gifts.
Pairing Candles with Other Gifts
Candles make a wonderful complement to other gifts. Consider bundling candles as part of a gift set or pairing them with complementary items:
Bundled Gift Sets
Pre-arranged gift sets that combine candles with other items make gift giving easy. Look for gift sets that pair scented candles with items like luxury bath soaps, body lotions, massage oils, scented sachets, and more. A candle and pampering gift set makes a spa-like gift anyone would appreciate.
Complimentary Items
If assembling your own gift set, consider pairing scented candles with:
- Plush robes – for a cozy, spa-like gift
- Coffee table books or magazines – for ambiance while reading
- Desserts or gourmet treats – a sweet way to set the mood
- Flower arrangements – a touch of beauty and fragrance
- Wine or specialty drinks – for relaxation time
With the right complementary item, a candle becomes an even more thoughtful gift.
Candle Gift Ideas
Candles make for great holiday gifts because of the wide variety of options available. Here are some of the best candle gift ideas to consider:
Gift Sets
Candle gift sets allow you to give multiple scented candles together. Sets may include different sizes, scents, and colors that coordinate well together. Popular candle gift sets for Christmas feature fragrances like pine, peppermint, winter berries and spices. The candles can share a common holiday theme and come packaged together in a decorative box or tin.
Holiday Scents
Seasonal candle scents help set the mood for Christmas. Traditional fragrances include pine, balsam fir, spruce, and other evergreen scents that smell like a fresh Christmas tree. Spices like cinnamon, nutmeg, and cloves remind people of holiday baking. Festive scents like cranberry, winter berries, apple, and peppermint also evoke the Christmas season.
Custom Candles
For a more personal touch, you can design custom candles for someone. Many candle companies offer jar candles that you can customize with a name, meaningful date, or short message. You can also select unique scents to match the recipient’s preferences. Custom candles make thoughtful, one-of-a-kind gifts.
How to Choose
When selecting candles as a gift, it’s important to consider the recipient’s tastes. Look for scents they enjoy – floral, fruity, spicy, earthy, etc. You’ll want to match the fragrance to their personality and preferences. Citrus and ocean scents work well for someone who loves the beach. Lavender or eucalyptus might appeal to a friend who enjoys yoga and aromatherapy.
Also consider the season or holiday. Choose scents that evoke the time of year. Pine, balsam and spices make perfect Christmas candles. Florals and fruits match spring. Summer scents may include coconut, melon and ocean breezes. For fall, go for cinnamon, clove and other baking spices.
You can also pair specialty candles with other items for a themed gift. Include a coffee-scented candle in a gift basket for a caffeine lover. Soothing lavender goes well with slippers, pajamas and cozy home items. Adding a candle that complements other gifts shows you put extra thought into finding something they’ll truly appreciate.
Conclusion
In summary, candles can make thoughtful and enjoyable Christmas gifts. Their warm glow, fragrant scents, and versatile uses allow them to appeal to a wide range of gift recipients. Candles create a cozy, festive atmosphere perfect for the holiday season. They can also be personalized with seasonal scents, colors, containers, and designs. Just be sure to consider the recipient’s preferences and safety precautions when selecting candle gifts. With proper care in choosing and using them, candles are a classic gift that spreads holiday cheer and light.
