Valentines day candle gifts do not need to be roses and chocolate, and the list above shows the kinds of sultry and relaxing ideas I like to offer at the shop.
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Not sure what to get this Valentine’s Day? Here are some things we love for this special and fun holiday.
Red Flower Lavender Bath & Body Oil for a sensual massage or add a few drops to your bath for a relaxing retreat. Oh la la.
Soak with a Beau Bain Coconut Lemongrass Bath Bomb to make your muscles turn to mush. Ahhhh….. I love this fragrance (even though I normally hate coconut) and it includes sandalwood which is an aphrodisiac. Bonus.
The Tocca Perfume Viaggio will make any girl giddy. Three adorable perfume bottles in Tocca’s Florence, Cleopatra and Stella fragrances. Love.
The Red Flower Moroccan Rose candle – Oh, the things you can do with the petals to add romance to your relationship – sprinkle across the table for a romantic dinner, add some to a love letter, put in a sachet for your lingerie drawer… Red Flower candles have a beautiful glow to them when they burn adding to the ambiance.
I’m not a huge floral fan myself, so I go for the more sultry scents like Belle Fleur Kyara Clove. I love the mix of woods and vintage leather for a relaxing and grounding effect. Can’t beat sophisticated and sexy.
If you’re not into fragrance, dine by candlelight or scatter unscented votive candles around the room for the ultimate romantic evening. Whatever you do – enjoy!
Choosing valentines day candle gifts
Start with the person, not the product. Do they love flowers, or do they run toward woods and leather? A floral lover will enjoy a rose candle, and someone with a sultry streak may prefer a clove and wood scent like the one I mention above.
I am not a big floral fan myself, so I tend to go for darker, warmer scents. That is a good reminder that your own taste is a clue about what you might gift, but it should not be the only one.
If you are unsure, pick something mid-range in strength so it feels pleasant instead of overpowering.
Valentines day candle gifts can be as simple as a single candle with a handwritten note. What matters is that the scent suits the person, not the holiday.
A card that says why you picked it adds meaning that no wrapping paper can.
The simplest of valentines day candle gifts is one you light together, because the glow and scent set an easy mood without any fuss.
Valentines day is about attention, so pick a scent that suits the person, not the holiday.
Rose petals and a little ceremony
Rose is the classic Valentine fragrance for a reason. It is romantic without much explanation. A rose candle also glows nicely, and the light adds to the mood of a dinner table.
Real or dried petals offer extra ideas: scatter a few across the table, tuck some into a love letter, or put them in a sachet for a drawer. These small touches cost almost nothing and feel personal.
Keep petals away from the flame, since dried petals catch fire easily.
A Moroccan rose candle, for example, brings a romantic glow and a classic scent in one package. The flame light itself is flattering to everyone at the table.
Roses are also easy to pair with chocolate, which most people enjoy.
When you choose a rose candle for February, smell it first if you can. Rose runs from airy to heavy.
For valentines day, a Moroccan rose candle gives a romantic glow in one package.
Pairing a candle with something to use
A candle becomes a stronger gift when it comes with an activity. A bath bomb or body oil suggests a long soak, and a candle on the tub edge sets the scene.
I usually suggest one scent family for the whole package, so the bath and the candle smell related. It makes the evening feel planned without feeling fussy.
Perfume sets are also fun, especially small bottles in a trio so your partner can try each one.
Think about sandalwood, which the post calls an aphrodisiac. I am not going to make claims about that, but I do know sandalwood is warm, creamy and calming, and those qualities suit a quiet evening in.
Coconut lemongrass might sound unusual for February, yet bright scents break up the heaviness of winter.
Pair valentines day candle gifts with a handwritten note and a bit of time set aside, since attention is what makes the evening special.
On valentines day, unscented votives are a fine choice if your partner dislikes fragrance.
Candlelight without fragrance
If your partner does not like scent, skip it entirely. A dinner by candlelight or a handful of unscented votives around the room does the job, and unscented candles never compete with the food.
Place them on stable surfaces, away from curtains and napkins, and snuff them gently at the end. For more gift thinking, read Wedding Gift Ideas and Gift Ideas for Moms and Moms-in-law.
For some history behind the day, the Wikipedia article on Valentine’s Day is a fun read. Whatever you choose, enjoy the evening.
Valentines day candle gifts also work for friends. A set of tealights, a small candle in a pretty tin or a mini diffuser tells someone you thought of them.
I love giving small gifts on this day to people who are single, because it reminds them that love comes in many forms.
If you are shopping last minute, pick a scent you know and trust. A familiar fragrance is better than a risky one when time is short.
And a final practical word: never leave candles burning when you leave the house or go to sleep. Blow them out before you walk out the door.
Whatever you give on valentines day, leave candles burning only when you are in the room.
I love small valentines day gifts for single friends too.
Header photo: Philip Halling, Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 2.0).
