Unexpected Winter Candles

Posted by The Daily Obsession

on December 10, 2008

The weather is definitely chilly (even in California), so it’s time to get toasty! I’m headed to a bunch of holiday parties this season, and I always bring along hostess gifts (as my mother and proper etiquette has taught me). Instead of the token bottle of wine, I thought I’d bring along gorgeously scented candles to a few of these shindigs. Naturally, there are numerous wintry versions to choose from since there are so many spectacular holiday offerings; however, I’ve been gravitating towards scents that a hostess will enjoy beyond the Christmas holiday instead. Here are some of my top picks:

If your hostess is into the minimal and sophisticated, I’ve got the candle for you! As Sisley’s first foray into home fragrance, the limited edition Black Tuberose Perfumed Candle burns the delicate fragrance of tuberose, white lily, and vanilla intensely for 35+ hours. It’s warm, sweet and sexy, perfectly reflecting the scent of the night-blooming flower it’s named after. Plus, the overall presentation is super sleek, as the candle is done in black wax and poured into black carbon packaging.

Thymes’ collection of candles are also lovely option and come in a variety of fragrances. Available in two sizes (Large and Votive), depending if you want to give one scent or a small sampling of a few. The packaging is so pretty that all you need is to tie a bit of ribbon around. I adore Oolong Cassis, which is sweet but with a bit of depth. For zesty sweetness, Tamarind Lychee is zesty, while Red Cherie is pretty in an unpredictable way.

Get personal with Archipelago Botanicals’ Monogram Candle Collection. Burning for 60+ hours, each candle comes in a pastel monogrammed box, adorned with a glam crystal knob. (The glass itself is also tastefully monogrammed.) Each initial hints at the scent; for instance, “J” goes with Jasmine & White Lily and “T” corresponds with Tea Rose & Pear. Archipelago is well-known for their scents, so you won’t go wrong with any of these. Simply gift a candle each of your hostess’ initials!

For affordable candles that will still look luxe and large, go to Target. Chesapeake Bay Candle released an exclusive “Reflect & Escape Collection,” which contains six candles inspired by exotic locales. The Amber Vanilla is perfect for the holidays, as it’s warm and comforting with the added complexity and depth of spices, amber and cedar wood. Your hostess will love burning this after all the guests have left and she’s kicked off her heels to curl up on the sofa.

For the freshest selection, order a candle from Saint Parfum. These candles are made-to-order and you can choose from 101 divine scents. (Seriously, they are all stunning!) They are each hand-poured by a Saint Parfum perfumer and include a personalized “card detailing the recipients name, date ordered, date perfumed and poured, fragrance blend and perfumers information” in a beautiful simple black box. My personal favorite is Mandarin Tea and Anjou Pear, Pomegranate & Mandarin, which are both fruity but have a bit of depth – making them more winter-appropriate.

To truly wow your hostess, it would be wise to stop by Pacifica Candles to check out their selection. They have an amazing selection that are tried and true. Our pick is the Soy Candle Gift Box, which is truly a stunner from their Gold Collection. It houses the best of Pacifica’s fruit and floral scents; it’s also beautifully packaged in a lovely gold box, making gifting easy. She’ll be set from now through June!

A hostess gift isn’t complete without a tag or card, of course. She may be receiving quite a few and between dinner and clean-up, she just might not remember who gifted what. To make it easy, I’ll be tucking in letterpress tags. The versions from Sarah Drake Design provide a luxurious, elegant touch; my favorite is the Spring design, which are paired with bright fuschia envelopes! If your hostess has a sense of humor or likes to have a bit of fun, we absolutely adore Linda & Harriett’s whimsical pig or butterfly tags!