How Do You Package Candles For Gifts?
Candles make for popular and beloved gifts for a variety of occasions. With their warm glow, lovely scents, and wide range of styles, candles are a gift that can fit any recipient and brighten any occasion. Candles are commonly gifted for birthdays, holidays, hostess gifts, weddings, anniversaries, housewarmings, and more. Their versatility and ability to set an ambiance makes them a gift that will be enjoyed long after the occasion has passed.
Candles are popular for a number of reasons. Many people enjoy lighting candles to create a relaxing or cozy atmosphere in their home. Candles make homes smell lovely with their scents of floral, baked goods, fruits, and more. The warm glow of a lit candle can lend a festive or romantic air. Candles are inexpensive enough to give as small tokens of appreciation for teachers, co-workers, or friends. Pillar candles, vases, candlesticks, and uniquely shaped containers allow for candles that complement home decor. Custom labels, prints, or coordination with other items allows candles to be tailored to the recipient’s tastes.
Selecting Candles
When choosing candles as gifts, it’s important to consider the recipient’s preferences. Select candles based on scent, color, shape, and size that the recipient will enjoy. For example, someone who enjoys floral scents may appreciate a lavender or rose-scented candle. If the recipient prefers fruity scents, a peach, citrus, or apple candle could be a good option.
The color of the candle also matters. Bold colors like red or teal can make a statement, while neutral tones like ivory or light gray work well for recipients with more minimalist style. Votive candles, pillars, or jars in various shapes and sizes allow you to find the perfect fit for the recipient’s decor. Keep in mind any special hobbies or interests of the recipient too – a candle in their favorite color or scented with a beloved flower can make your gift more personal.
When selecting candles for gifts, be sure to choose high-quality options from reputable brands. Well-made candles have more fragrant and long-lasting scents. They will burn evenly and completely. Check product details and reviews to find candles that stand out for excellent quality. A premium candle conveys care and extra thoughtfulness for gifting occasions.
Presentation
One of the most important aspects of gifting candles is how you present and package them. While the candle itself is the main gift, taking the time to creatively package and present it makes it extra special for the recipient. There are many options for beautifully packaging candle gifts.
For starters, simple gift boxes or bags in various colors and patterns can add a nice touch. Tissue paper, crinkly shred, or other fillers inside the box or bag help cushion the candle and make unwrapping it more exciting. Ribbon, raffia, twine, or other embellishments tied around the gift box or bag add a decorative flair. You can coordinate the colors and patterns to the occasion or season.
Wicker baskets, wood crates, tin buckets, and other creative containers also make charming candle gift packaging. Line them with tissue, shred, or other decorative fillers before nestling the candle inside. Tie a bow or include other embellishments on the handle or around the outside.
Mason jars wrapped with ribbon or burlap make nice earthy, vintage style candle holders. The possibilities are endless when it comes to creatively packaging candle gifts!
Labeling
A personalized gift tag or label is an easy way to make your candle gift extra special. Take a few minutes to customize a gift tag that includes the recipient’s name, a greeting, and the occasion for the gift. This small personalized touch shows you put thought and care into their present.
For a clean, classic look, print recipients’ names and your message on simple parchment paper gift tags, available at craft stores. Tie these on with a complementary ribbon or raffia strand. For a more decorative approach, create custom gift tags using cardstock and scrapbooking embellishments like die-cut shapes, washi tape, or stickers.
You can also make your own gift label to adhere right onto the candle packaging. Design personalized labels on your computer, print on sticker paper, cut out, and stick these on. Get creative with the label shape and include a meaningful quote or holiday wishes.
By personalizing a gift tag or label for your candle gift, you’re taking a basic present up a notch. A handwritten name and note shows the recipient how much you care.
Gift Sets
Candles make wonderful gifts on their own, but you can also pair candles with other small items to create a gift set. This is a great way to make your candle gift feel more substantial and personalized. Some ideas for items to include in a candle gift set:
- Lotions or body butters – Pick a scent that complements the candle fragrance.
- Soaps – Again, coordinate the scent with the candle.
- Bath bombs, bath salts or bubble bath – These make for a relaxing “pampering” gift set.
- Scented massage oil – Pair with an appropriately calming or energizing candle.
- Loofah, pumice stone, nail file, etc. – Useful bath accessories.
- Tea, hot chocolate or coffee – Include some cozy beverage mixes.
- Cookie or muffin mix – For a “warm your kitchen” gift.
- Flavored lip balm – Choose flavors that match the candle scent.
- Slippers, socks, headband – Cozy accessories for a spa-themed set.
- Candle snuffer, matches, candle holder – Useful candle accessories.
Choose items that feel coordinated in scent, theme and color scheme. Opt for a mix of consumable treats and lasting accessories. Present them together in a pretty basket, gift bag or box for a put-together gift set that looks impressive with minimal effort.
Seasonal Themes
When selecting candles as gifts, playing up the right seasonal theme can make your present extra special. Around Christmas, look for candles with scents like pine, peppermint, apple pie, cinnamon, and balsam. These evoke the smells of the holiday season. For Valentine’s Day, floral and fruit scents like lavender or strawberry champagne set a romantic mood. Mother’s Day is the perfect occasion for an indulgent candle in a scent like vanilla, rose, or clean cotton.
Candles also present a great opportunity to customize the packaging to match the holiday or occasion. For Christmas, use holiday gift wrap or bags featuring prints of Christmas trees, snowflakes, candy canes, etc. Tie on a velvet ribbon in red or green for an elegant touch. For Valentine’s Day, wrap candles in paper with red or pink hearts. Finish with a bow or fabric rose. Mother’s Day candle gifts can be packaged in floral prints or spring colors like light purple or pink.
Homemade Touches
Adding your own homemade packaging touches is a great way to make candle gifts extra special. With a little DIY creativity, you can design beautiful, one-of-a-kind enclosures that show how much you care.
For the box or bag holding your candle gift, make your own wrapping paper by decorating plain craft paper or kraft boxes. Try painting patterns, stamping designs, or collaging cut outs from maps, sheet music, photos, or wrapping paper scraps. You can use sturdy cardboard, wooden crates, tins, or jars as candle holders to decorate as well.
Make tags, labels, or hangtags to personalize your candle gift packaging. Hand write the recipient’s name in calligraphy or impress it with a custom rubber stamp. Cut tags out of cardstock and punch a hole to thread ribbon through. Glue on beads, buttons, or other little trinkets with meaning for the recipient.
Finish your homemade packaging with handmade embellishments. Cut fabric roses, bows, or ruffles to attach. Wrap colorful twine, ribbon, raffia, or lace around your box or bag. Look for natural elements like pinecones, seashells, or leaves to glue on. The options for custom touches with a crafty DIY flair are endless!
Safety Tips
Candles can set the perfect mood, but they also require some basic safety precautions. Here are some tips to keep in mind:
Trim the wicks – Always trim candle wicks to 1⁄4” before lighting to avoid emission of excess smoke and reduce rapid wax burnout. Long wicks also tend to bend over into the melted wax pool.
Use stands – Never place a burning candle directly on a table or other surface. Always use a candle holder, stand or plate. This helps avoid scorching surfaces as well as potential fires.
Give space – Position candle holders at least 12 inches from walls, curtains or other fabrics. Keep a safe distance from flammable décor and other items.
Never leave burning – Don’t leave a lit candle unattended. Always extinguish before leaving a room.
By following these basic safety tips, you can fully enjoy candlelight without worry. Just use common sense and caution to prevent any hazards.
Creative Presentation
When gifting candles, presentation is key to making them extra special. Try these creative ways to present candles to friends and loved ones:
Gift baskets: Include candles in a pretty gift basket alongside other pampering items like lotions, bath bombs, slippers, cozy socks, chocolate, or wine. Arrange everything attractively in a woven or decorative basket tied up with ribbon.
Tie onto gifts: Affix a candle directly onto a gift like a book, planner, framed photo, or item of clothing using ribbon, raffia, or string. This adds a decorative, personal touch. Choose scents complementing the main gift like lavender for relaxation gifts or citrus and herbs for an energy boost.
Tea light holders: Place several tea light candles into a glass jar, vase, or other decorative holder. Wrap with cellophane and tie with a bow for easy gifting. Search craft stores for unique tea light vessels and accessories like beads, seashells or pebbles to fill holders.
Attach a note: Personalize the gift by attaching a handwritten note or gift tag with ribbon or string. Share a meaningful message or favorite memory to make it even more heartfelt.
Conclusion
Candles make for great gifts when thoughtfully chosen and creatively presented. As we’ve discussed, selecting candles that align with the recipient’s preferences and reflect the occasion is key. Scented candles in their favorite aroma or decorative candles that match their style are ideal. Taking the time to artfully arrange candles and accessories in a gift basket, box, or bag shows care and makes the gift extra special. Adding a handwritten note or homemade touch gives it that personal flair. With the variety of shapes, sizes, scents and colors available, it’s easy to find the perfect candle gifts. Just be mindful of fire safety and include any relevant instructions. Thoughtfully gifting candles shows you care and puts a smile on the recipient’s face.