What Is Trending In Candles?

Candles have been used for light and fragrance for centuries, dating back to ancient China, Egypt, and Rome. While their purpose remains the same, candle trends and innovations continue to evolve. From natural beeswax candles used by the ancient Egyptians to paraffin wax candles mass produced during the Industrial Revolution, candles remain a staple decorative item and lighting source around the world.

In recent decades, the popularity of candles has continued to grow. Specialty candle makers are constantly innovating with new scents, materials, shapes, and purposes. Some of the biggest candle trends include natural and organic candles, creative vessel designs, customization, outdoor candles, wellness candles, and candle gifting. This article will explore some of the hottest trends and innovations happening now in the candle industry.

Natural and Organic

There has been a rise in demand for natural wax candles made from ingredients like soy, beeswax, and coconut wax. Consumers are becoming more health-conscious and want to avoid paraffin wax candles, which can emit potentially harmful fumes when burned. Natural waxes like soy and beeswax burn cleaner.

Along with natural waxes, many candle buyers are looking for natural fragrances derived from essential oils rather than synthetic fragrance oils. Essential oil candles are marketed as having aromatherapeutic benefits. Customers feel better about natural scents being released into their living spaces.

Handmade and artisanal candles have also grown in popularity. Rather than buying mass-produced candles, many consumers are drawn to small-batch candles made by independent artisans. These offer uniqueness and craftsmanship compared to generic store-bought candles. The handmade appeal aligns with the larger artisanal movement.

Adult Coloring

A fun trend in the candle world is the popularity of coloring candles with crayons. These interactive candles come with a set of crayons, allowing you to customize the look of your candle by coloring directly on the wax. This trend combines the relaxing scent of a candle with the creative expression and relaxation of adult coloring books. The colored wax also creates beautiful swirling patterns as the candle burns. Coloring candle kits are a great option for DIYers, crafters, and anyone looking to personalize their candles. The hands-on aspect also makes them great gifts. Overall, the rise in coloring candles shows how people are seeking engaging sensory experiences from their candles, beyond just the light and fragrance.

Scent Trends

Fragrance is one of the most powerful influences on mood and memory recall. Unique and unexpected scents are a growing trend in candles as consumers look for more novelty and a sensory experience from one of life’s simple pleasures.

Seasonal scents like pumpkin spice and pine in the fall and winter are perennial favorites. But candle makers are also exploring bolder, food-inspired options like bacon, coffee, and desserts to differentiate. The scent triggers memories and transports us to comforting places. Scented candles inspired by homemade meals evoke cozy dinnertimes with family.

Exotic floral bouquets, fresh laundry, and ocean breezes are other popular scent trends that conjure vacations and happy memories. Consumers are drawn to scents that elicit nostalgia. The variety of scent options allows for customizable, individual experiences through fragrance.

Vessel Trends

Candle vessels have become a creative focal point for candle makers and consumers. Unique and stylish containers are trending, moving beyond the basic glass jar. Geo-shaped vessels like hexagons and octagons create striking modern designs. Nature-inspired vessels feature floral shapes like roses and leaves or animal-inspired forms like seashells and birds. Repurposed and upcycled vessels are also increasingly popular. Vintage items like teacups, glasses, and bowls give new life and charm. Upcycled tin cans, jars, and bottles repurpose waste in an eco-friendly way. The vessel possibilities are infinite with 3D printing technology. Consumers also appreciate being able to reuse and display candle vessels after the candle is finished.

Customization

One of the biggest trends in candles is customization. Candle companies are offering more and more options for people to customize candles with photos, text, and colors to make them truly one-of-a-kind. You can upload photos to have them printed on candles for a personalized gift. Some companies will print text on candles too, allowing you to add names, monograms, inspirational quotes, or anything else you want.

Another popular customization option is choosing the colors for your candle. You can pick the color of the wax, vessel, and label. Some companies even let you design your own label or containers. This makes it easy to match candles to your home’s decor, wedding colors, or other themes.

Personalized candles make fantastic gifts for any occasion. Custom-designed candles with photos and text commemorate special memories for anniversaries, weddings, and birthdays. Or you can create fun candles with inside jokes for your friends. The options for customization make candles a unique gift that recipients will cherish.

Outdoor Candles

Outdoor spaces like patios, porches, and gardens are great for relaxing and entertaining when the weather is nice. To help make these spaces even more enjoyable after the sun goes down, outdoor candles have become increasingly popular.

Outdoor candles are designed to withstand the elements and burn safely outdoors. Weatherproof outdoor candles are available in durable materials like concrete, terra cotta, metal, and recycled glass. These heavy, sturdy containers protect the candle flame from wind and rain.

Floating candles add a magical ambiance to pools, ponds, and outdoor bathtubs. Floating candle holders keep the flame safely above the water line. For centerpieces, votive candles can float in glass bowls filled with water.

Solar-powered candles harness renewable energy to gently glow at night without a flame or wax. They charge via solar panels during the day. Position them along garden pathways, in trees, or on tables to create a soft, magical glow after sunset.

Citronella candles help keep mosquitoes and other bugs at bay while adding warm lighting. The citronella oil gives off a fresh, natural scent people enjoy more than chemical bug sprays. They’re ideal for placing around patios, decks, and other outdoor gathering areas.

With weatherproof, floating, solar, and citronella options, outdoor candles make it easy to decorate and illuminate gardens, patios, and outdoor living spaces day or night, rain or shine.

Gifting

Candles make for popular gifts for any occasion. Their warm glow and lovely scents create an inviting ambiance that delights recipients. Candle gift sets allow the giver to create a themed experience through coordinated scents and stylish vessels. Many candle brands offer gift sets around the holidays, featuring seasonal scents like pine, peppermint, and cinnamon.

Gift sets may include multiple candles in coordinating scents, candle holders, and other home decor items. Special holiday packaging makes these sets ready for giving right out of the box. Sets with travel tins or votives make great stocking stuffers. For Christmas, gift sets may feature traditional scents like frankincense and myrrh. Hanukkah candle sets often highlight blue and silver colors. Gift sets also work well for non-holiday occasions like birthdays, Mother’s Day, weddings, anniversaries, graduations, and housewarmings.

Beyond gift sets, many brands offer festive holiday candle jars perfect for seasonal decorating. These may feature winter scenes, Christmas trees, snowflakes, wreaths, stars, or other holiday symbols. Seasonal candle displays in stores spotlight these special edition holiday candles. The branded holiday packaging helps promote the candles as gift-worthy.

No matter the occasion, a thoughtfully chosen scented candle makes a memorable gift. Gift sets allow the giver to create an immersive scent experience. And thematic packaging tailored to the season or event shows extra care.

Wellness

Candles are increasingly being used to promote wellness through aromatherapy, meditation, and yoga. Natural materials and soothing scents can create a relaxing ambiance and help people destress. Some of the wellness candle trends include:

– Candles with essential oils like lavender, chamomile, and eucalyptus that have calming properties and promote sleep and relaxation.

– Soy, coconut, and beeswax candles that burn cleaner than paraffin and don’t emit harmful chemicals.

– Unscented candles for use in meditation and yoga spaces where minimal aroma is preferred.

– Custom candle and essential oil blends designed to enhance specific wellness rituals like massage or breathwork.

– Beautiful candle holders and vessels made from natural materials like wood, stone, and crystal that complement the holistic experience.

– Carefully curated scents that evoke a sense of tranquility, joy, and inner peace.

The soothing glow of candles combined with mindful intention allows people to reduce anxiety, manage stress, and find spiritual awakening. Wellness-focused candles promote inner harmony between the mind, body and spirit.

Conclusion

In summary, some of the top candle trends we’re seeing include a focus on natural and organic ingredients, creative uses of scent, unique and customizable vessels, giftable sets and collections, and wellness-oriented aromatherapy options. Consumers increasingly want clean-burning, eco-friendly candles made with plant-based waxes, pure essential oils, and natural fibers for wicks. At the same time, scent exploration and novelty remains important in the candle market. Shoppers are drawn to layered scents, limited editions, and fragrances that evoke a mood or nostalgia. Candle vessels and packaging make a statement too, with repurposed containers, artistic detailing, and personalized options gaining ground. Lastly, mental health and self-care are front of mind for many customers today. Candles that promote relaxation, meditation, or healing through carefully-blended aromas resonate with the wellness-focused consumer.

While trends may come and go, candles remain a beloved product with ongoing innovations. Thoughtfully crafted with high-quality ingredients and a special scent or design, they continue to be a top choice for gifting, home decor, and bringing a little everyday joy through their captivating glow and aroma.