The Best Candles You Should Be Gifting Everyone In 2021

If you know your giftee loves candles but you’re worried gifting candles is too expected (never!), get them a Birthdate candle, a candle that pulls from astrology, numerology, and tarot to create a personalized scent just for the birthday boy/girl. My June 2nd candle has subtle woodsy-floral notes that make me feel calm almost immediately.

My Catskills candle currently hangs out on my coffee table because a) it’s simple sophistication is all my living room needed to look more put together, and b) it smells luxuriously smoky, like a cabin in the woods with a fire going. Its top notes are fir balsam, which basically smells like a Christmas tree, and middle and base notes include pine, juniper, sandalwood, and cedar. It’s especially a great candle for fall, but I keep it out year-round.

P.F. Candle Co. truly sells one-of-a-kind candles that are thoughtfully and lovingly made in California. Golden Coast is a personal favorite, since it evokes the scent and feeling of the West Coast’s great forests and its beaches. This candle’s scent is aptly described as “Big Sur magic, wild sage baking in the sun, the rumble of waves and rocks. Eucalyptus, sea salt, redwood, and palo santo.”

Otherland’s Canopy candle has been described as “summer in a jar” with its main notes of California fig, ivy greens, and summer dew. Otherland is a gifting favorite, as its jars can be reused for decor long after the wax has been burned down. Since the scent is strong (but not too perfume-y or overpowering), candle lovers can’t get enough of just about any of Otherland’s offerings. We’re just currently really into Canopy because it makes us feel like we’re on vacation.

I was immediately drawn to this candle because it’s inspired by 1 Hotel in Miami. That was my very last real vacation I took before the pandemic (about two years ago), and it’s also where I ran into actress Shiri Appleby and her family in the elevator, and they were SUPER nice. Anyway, the whole experience was really relaxing and the hotel itself was stylish in a way that I can only afford to be maybe once a year. The candle smells EXACTLY like the hotel. You know how scent and memory are intrinsically tied to each other? Every time I take a whiff of this candle, I imagine myself walking through the lobby in a sundress and swimsuit. To be more specific, it smells like cedar, iris, and a bit of leather and amber. It’s perfect. Hotel Collection has other iconic hotel candles, like the Aria Hotel in Las Vegas, The Edition Hotel in New York, and more. Take the vacation you deserve by getting yourself this candle.

Here For the Burn is known for its customizable candle labels, which are all supremely giftable. Their current scents are Mango Guava, Bergamot, Green Grass & Tonka Bean, and Moroccan Amber. I personally love the Moroccan Amber, as it’s a slightly spicy kind of vanilla that pretty much every human being will love. The best part is that you get to keep the glass forever.

Pattern, the legendary Tracee Ellis Ross’s haircare brand, now has a new-ish candle that’s meant to infuse your space with warmth. Literally and figuratively.  Sweet, earthy, and a little musky, the Pattern candle has notes of neroli, rose, and patchouli. It’s the kind of scent that’s never overpowering, and perfect for just about anyone. We love Pattern not only for its high-quality products, but because the company also helps support organizations and programs that empower women and BIPOC.

Harlem Candle Co. is known for its sensuous and complex scents and super elegant design. The “Ellington” candle was named after jazz artist Duke Ellington, and this candle truly does his and his music justice: It fills the room with a gorgeous bergamot, sage, and cinnamon — not too sweet, not too spicy, just perfect. There’s a touch of amber, musk and patchouli to top it off and give it some warmth.

This classic candle smells like a bowl of lemons waiting to be juiced. It’s the perfect spring scent that adds freshness to every room in the house. I love lighting it during dinnertime, because it makes the evening feel brighter and more magical. Top notes include Sicilian lemon and Caribbean lime, and you also get wafts of jasmine and warm musk.

Most recently, a lot of buzz was generated about Literie’s “New York”-scented candle collection. This offered everything from “Bodega Coffee” candles to “The Christmas Tree Guy” candles. Scents that remind you of New York (no, not the hot garbage smell in the summer) in the best possible way. I got to try out the “Afternoon in Central Park” candle, and it really did bring me back to all my work trips to New York and times I’d get to sneak out and take a walk at the park. It’s grassy, fresh, and has classy notes of bergamot. Such a cool concept! Other cities, like Los Angeles and Miami are coming too, and we can’t wait to learn about their accompanying candle scents.

No list would be complete without a Scary Mommy candle! Our shop offers the sassiest, most relatable candles that are supremely giftable for others and ourselves. I love our S.O.S. (Straight Outta Shits) candle, because…same. They come in scents like Go-Ask-Your-Dad-Vanilla, Mimosa & Chill, Sage Against the Machine, and more LOL-worthy smells.

Jo Malone is known for its luxurious perfumes, and if you’re a fan, then you should also get yourself a Jo Malone candle — because they smell just as  good. We’re gonna go with the Nectarine Blossom & Honey scent, because it reminds us of biting into a ripe nectarine on a summer day. It’s a refreshing and downright pretty scent, and we can’t get enough of it.