Shopping for the guy who has everything? Candles for men are an easier win than you might think, and this post, first written for Valentine’s Day 2012, shares our three picks and why we chose them.
If you think I’m crazy suggesting candles as a gift for a guy this Valentine’s Day, think again. You’d be amazed how many men love fragrance and even love to shop for their favorite scent. And yes, I mean straight guys too.
If you’re not sure what to get, here are our top 3 picks for guys this Valentine’s Day:
1. Belle Fleur Kyara Clove. I know. I rave about this one constantly and here I go again. Do your guy a favor and surround him with the scent of a real man-cave.
This fragrance will make him feel like he is being cradled in the comfort of an over-sized, worn leather chair while surrounded by books and walls with rich wood paneling. As manly as this fragrance sounds, don’t be afraid to put it in the bedroom. It’s sexy and sultry and creates the perfect backdrop for a memorable night. Oh, la la.
2. Voluspa Warm Perique Tabac. Tobacco is a scent that many people have a hard time grasping in home fragrance, but give it a try and you’ll be as addicted to tobacco candles as a chain-smoker is to cigarettes. Happily, this addiction is healthier. Voluspa Warm Perique Tabac starts off sharp in the cold throw but don’t let that scare you.
This candle is not about Grandpa’s pipe. The fragrance warms up and opens like a fine wine as it burns to create a room filled with wide plank wood floors marred with years of memories, vintage leather bound books filled with history and fine tobacco.
This fragrance works for any guy – from the guy that built the bridge to the one that designed it. If you’re still not convinced your guy will love a candle, get him the tin. He can’t break it and he can put the lid on it and jam it in his drawer until you arrive to avoid his friends mocking. (Trust us, this won’t happen but we know how you think.)
3. ODIN 03 Century. There is no sexier candle on the market than ODIN. Period. Sleek black vessel that screams strength with it’s extra-thick walls. Heavy metal, multi-purpose black lid. Dark wax. This is Old Spice Guy meets James Bond in candle form.
Century offers hearty wood notes of silver birch and cypress layered on top of a sexy base of smoky vetiver and liquid myrrh. *drooling* If you don’t have a guy in your life, buy this for yourself and all you’ll see is six pack abs around you. Oh, yeah.
Surprise your guy with a candle this Valentine’s day and he’ll surprise you in all kinds of romantic ways. For more Valentine’s Day gift ideas, check out our website.
Why candles for men make a good gift
A candle is a gift that gets used up, which means no clutter and no returns. It also suits people who do not wear jewelry or cologne.
The three picks above lean on wood, leather and tobacco, which is the direction the original article takes. That is the logic behind the idea that a dark, woody candle suits a man-cave, a study or a bedroom.
Plenty of men enjoy fragrance and like to choose their own, so candles for men do not have to be a joke gift. A tin or a heavy black jar looks at home in a study or a garage as much as a bedroom.
The Valentine’s Day timing helps too. Candles for men are one of the few gifts that can be wrapped, hidden and enjoyed the same evening, with no sizing or guessing involved.
A final thought on the gift itself: give the candle with a small note saying why you chose that scent. A line such as “this made me think of your study” turns a simple present into something personal and memorable, and it costs nothing extra.
How to choose candles for men
Start with what he already likes. If he wears a woody or smoky cologne, woody candles for men should feel familiar. If he avoids heavy perfumes, look for a lighter wood scent and a smaller candle.
Think about where it will live. A tin is good for a desk or a travel bag, as the article points out for the Voluspa Warm Perique Tabac, while a heavy glass jar suits a shelf or mantel.
Also think about price and burn time. A bigger candle lasts longer, but a small one is a safer first try if you are unsure of his taste.
If you are still unsure, ask a friend or look at what he buys for himself. Soap, aftershave and even the car air freshener tell you more than he will.
Before you buy, picture him using candles for men in his own space, and pick the scent that fits that picture.
Keep the candle burning well
The best candles for men are not always the most masculine looking. Match the scent to his habits: a smoky or leathery fragrance for a reader, a fresh wood for someone who dislikes heavy scents. Good candles for men also come in tins, which travel well.
Tobacco and leather style scents can be strong, so burn them in a room with a bit of space. The article notes that the Voluspa candle starts sharp when unlit, then warms up as it burns, so give a new candle an hour before you judge it.
Trim the wick to about a quarter of an inch before each burn and never leave a flame unattended. For more romantic gift ideas see our sexy scents for Valentine’s Day and the Valentine’s Day post, or read about scented candles on Wikipedia.
One last tip: pair candles for men with a small extra, such as matches or a wick trimmer, so the gift is ready to use on the night.
If your budget is small, choose one of the candles for men above in the smallest size or a tin. A small flame and a good scent beat a big candle he never lights.
