The 5 Best Candle Gifts For Anyone On Your List

It's almost time for gift-giving season, and that means buying more scented candles is on the cards. Though candles have gained a bit of a reputation for being a lazy present to give someone, they can actually be a wonderful thing to gift if enough thought is put into the gesture. The good news is that, even if you don't know which candle to buy, you don't have to go all out and purchase every Yankee Candle available in a panic. Taking some time to think about what sort of person the recipient is and then putting that knowledge to use can make all the difference.

For instance, for the stressed-out recipient, fresh, clean scents can bring calmness into your home and soothe your spirits after a fraught day, per The Spruce. Meanwhile, if the person you're gifting to is a bit of a trendsetter, there are several coveted candles that will make everyone else jealous (via Harper's Bazaar). In other words, there truly is a candle for everyone. The five candles below make perfect gifts for anyone, whether that's your very dear friend or a distant relative you only see during the holidays. 

If you are buying for someone who likes candles with a completely unique scent, Boy Smells Kush Candle is a perfect choice. 

As reviewed by The Strategist, its scent is "like a conversation with an old friend: bright at the surface and then increasingly complex as the hours stretch on." If that isn't enough to convince you, the notes of cannabis leaf (hence the name "kush"), lemon peel, and rhubarb are followed by almond, tulip, sage, and eucalyptus, with a lingering impression of suede, musk, and amber. Stylist Mecca James-Williams states that this candle will stay in the air for a while after you've blown it out, meaning it's a good investment even if you only burn it for a couple of hours at a time. Undeniably complex, this candle is a gift for the cool girl in your life.

Is there someone in your life that needs a bit of TLC? The Otherland Silk Pyjamas Candle will make any recipient's day (via Apartment Therapy). Part of the "Gilded Collection," this candle promises to bring "late-night gala vibes to any get-together." Designed to both look and feel glam, it will allow its recipient to feel special even before they light it due to the gorgeous botanical design and luxe black and gold packaging, both of which give it a 1920s edge.

Once lit, this candle will fill any room with the scent of crystal ginger, spiced yuzu, and bergamot zest, all of which will ease your worries and allow you to get into the headspace for a wonderful evening. If you're feeling generous, you could even buy the recipient of this candle a pair of silky holiday pajamas as an extra gift to match the theme.

You may have friends and relatives that have recently moved and are missing home. If that's the case, any candle from Homesick will help to ease the feeling and make your space smell lovely at the same time. The New York candle is one of Homesick's most popular scents, according to Architectural Digest, combining top notes of bergamot, lemon, and grapefruit with middle notes of jasmine, water lilies, and concrete, and finally, base notes of oakmoss, sandalwood, and musk. 

If New York isn't your thing, there are candles to represent every state and several cities. You could rep Texas all the way from Los Angeles or take a trip to Baton Rouge while on a gap year abroad. No matter which one you choose, Homesick's wide range of scents has got you covered for those down days when the homesickness takes over everything. 

If you're looking to splurge this holiday season, the Speakeasy Harlem Map Ceramic Candle is another great contender. Per The Strategist, the "Speakeasy" candle is inspired by the Harlem underground nightlife scene of the 1920s and '30s. Housed in a decadent white and gold jar with a map emblazoned across it, its design goes far beyond that of a regular candle. You can keep and repurpose the jar once the wax has burned down completely, too, making it a useful gift even after its main purpose is fulfilled. 

Designed to recreate the feeling of nighttime and "the thrill of the forbidden," this candle will leave you feeling daring and ready to dance. Expect to smell cardamom, smoked incense, and pimento berry first, before picking up on notes of saffron licorice, plum blossom, and tobacco leaves. It will leave a remaining scent of palo santo, vanilla, dark chocolate, and patchouli in the air. 

Finally, you can't go wrong with Jo Malone. The luxury English brand made the list of the best perfumes for women, but its candles are what we're focusing on for the holiday season. As rated by the readers of Woman&Home, out of all the iconic Jo Malone scents, Pomegranate Noir has come out on top. This much-loved candle is described as "warm and sensual," with pomegranate and guaiac wood coming together to warm up your evenings.

The most expensive on the list, whoever receives this candle will be able to revel in the timeless scent. It will burn for approximately 220 hours, so you'll get plenty of use out of it. Moreover, the minimalist jar is a status symbol in itself, so you can keep it on display once the wick has burned down. If the large jars aren't necessarily your thing, or if you want to add this candle onto a present rather than have it be the main gift, there are also smaller sizes available.