Candles are one of those items that make the do-not-gift lists every year. But if you have a friend who really loves candles, and you’re willing to pound the e-commerce pavement a bit, it’s pretty easy to find candles or candle accessories that actually make fantastic gifts. And — lucky you — we’ve scoured the web for you with this list of killer candle products that are unique, funny, and beautiful enough to earn you a reputation as a skilled gift-giver.
Prices and availability are subject to change.
Succulent Garden Candle
$50 from Uncommon Goods
This lifelike succulent garden candle is handmade in Texas by candlemaker Megan Reep. Made of soy wax with a cotton wick, it’s got a beachy scent and will burn for about 40 hours. After it’s done burning you’ll have a hand-carved wood tray to display.
Related: The Best Gifts for Plant Lovers and Green Thumbs
Hand Gesture Candle
$29 and up from CandleHand
For a figurative candle that’s a little less NSFW there’s these options, which come in “victory” and “you rock” versions, as well as seven colors. These are also unscented and measure 7.8 inches tall. A slew of other hands are also available.
Related: The Best Funny and Gag Gifts to Give to Friends This Year
CandleHand Gesture Candle
$40 from 54Celsius
It might seem like a candle to give to someone you don’t like, but don’t we all have a friend or family member who would just love this defiant creation? At 8.7 inches high, this unscented candle will burn for about 17 hours (if you can bring yourself to light it) and comes in five colors.
Related: Gifts for the Lovable Lady Pottymouth in Your LifeUSB Rechargeable Lighter
$30 from Uncommon Goods
Even candle devotees often find themselves searching for matches or a lighter. Give them the gift of endless flame with this USB-rechargeable fire source. It only takes about an hour to fully charge and comes with a micro-USB cord.
Related: Useful Gifts for All the Practical People On Your List
Candle Tray with Accessories
$18 from Etsy
Candles are great, but so is an accessory that’s truly useful. This set comes with a tray, a candle snuffer, a wick trimmer, and a wick dipper. It comes in four color options: rose gold, gold, silver, and black.
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Manifestation Candle
$8 from Etsy
Let your candle lover manifest his or her own destiny with these candles that are made with crystals, herbs, and organic soy wax. Packaged into cute and colorful containers, manifestation options offer everything from clarity and protection to divine timing and bringing sexy back.
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Scandinavian Wooden Candlesticks
$48 from Etsy
Nothing classes up a table or mantle more than a set of gorgeous candlesticks, and these are a bestseller on Etsy. Made of ash, these Scandinavian-style candle holders come in three heights, with the tallest being nearly 14 inches.
Villager Candle
$55 from The Apollo Box
These Polynesian-themed candles will certainly be a conversation starter in the house of whoever receives them as a gift. Each comes with a polished cement base and they come in four options: Larry, Curly, Moe, and Shemp.
Related: Gifts for People Who Just Love the ’80s
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Nordic Scented Candle
$28 from The Apollo Box
Give your candle lover a bit of Nordic hygge with these soy and coconut wax candles, which come in both flat-topped and church-roof pillar options. Each comes with a botanical design that will fit right in during the holiday season.
Related: Warm and Fuzzy Gifts for Introverts
Mid-Century Wood Lanterns
$39 and up from West Elm
These stylish candle holders, inspired by Brazilian mid-century design, come in four sizes that can accommodate both votive and pillar candles. Made of sustainably sourced mango wood in a café finish, you can buy these individually or in a set of four.
Related: The Best Wooden Advent Calendars For Christmas Countdowns
Standing Goddess Candle
$13 from Genara
If you’re looking for tapered candles with an unusual design, these goddess candles stand tall amongst the options. Each is made of beeswax, has a cotton wick, measures about 6 inches tall, and has a burn time of nearly 10 hours.
Animal Skeleton Candle
$39 from 54Celsius
We love a candle that also has a bit of humor in its design, and these burn away to reveal metal skeletons underneath the wax. Options for animals include a gray dog, an owl, a reindeer, unicorn, and cat.
“Stinky” Candles
$10 from The Stinky Candle Co.
You won’t find scents like this at the Yankee Candle Co. Scentwise, the candles from this retailer cover everything from gasoline, French fries, and wet grass to ramen noodles, grandpa’s aftershave, and grandma’s clean floors.
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Purple Vertigo Candle Club
$40 and up/month from Cratejoy
If you know someone who likes sampling different scents, this subscription gift offers two options: a small, 4-ounce candle or two large, 16-ounce, soy vegan wax candles, each shipped monthly. Infused with essential oils, past scents from this retailer include predictable ones like blue spruce and sandalwood, and not-so-predictable ones like monkey farts and very sexy man.
The Burlap Bag Candle Club
$24/month and up from Cratejoy
Another candle subscription gift option, this company will send one 9-ounce candle a month to your recipient. Each is hand-poured in Austin, Texas.
Homesick Candles
$29 and up from Homesick
Perennial candle favorite Homesick offers minimalist candles themed around states, cities, seasons, spices, and more. Hand-poured in the U.S., each candle is made of a natural soy wax blend and comes with 100% organic cotton wicks.
Paddywax Library Candles
$14 and up from Paddywax
For the candle lover in your life who’s also an avid reader there is this line of literary-themed candles from Nashville-based Paddywax. Choose from Austen, Bronte, Steinbeck, Twain, and many others. Each candle comes in two sizes.
Related: Fun and Thoughtful Gifts for Women Who Love to Read
Malicious Woman Candles
$15 from Amazon
Give the strong woman in your life a candle with a message of empowerment (or uncomfortable truth). We love their Holiday Family Gatherings candle, which is “infused with competitiveness & awkward political conversations.” But there are plenty of others to choose from that’ll give your loved one a good giggle.
