Candles make lovely gifts. You may think of candles as the ultimate in relaxation gifts, but they are so much more than that. They can be used in gift baskets created for a variety of situations.
Overview: Our Top Picks
- Electric Candle Lighter ($19.99)
- Long Handle Candle Snuffer ($9.25)
- 3 Matte Black Candle Holders for Taper Candles ($20.99)
- Bath and Body Gift Basket ($32.99)
- Silver Plate 5x7 Picture Frame ($13.69)
- PURPLE CANYON White Sage Bundles ($8.99)
- Elegant Champagne Glasses ($41.97)
- Immune support hydration supplement ($19.77)
- Leather Journal Notebook ($18.99)
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You can place a candle in a gift basket for new homeowners or parents. Candles can be placed in get-well gift baskets or they can be used to offer congratulations to someone who recently obtained a new job. You can even put a candle in a sympathy gift basket for someone who recently lost a beloved pet or family member.
A beautifully scented candle can add ambiance to any space. Check out our candle gift basket ideas.
Items to Put in a Homemade Candle Gift Basket
As you gather items together for your gift basket, consider the purpose of the gift. What mood are you trying to achieve? Are you hoping to create a spa gift basket or a different type of pampering basket for someone going through a rough time?
Here are some ideas of items to include with the candle.
1. Lighters or matches
To create an elegant gift basket, consider purchasing attractive lighters or long-stemmed matches; some lighters are explicitly made for candles.
You may also wish to buy long-reach matches that come in a beautiful container. You could even make everyday matches more festive by putting them in a glass container with a stopper before putting them in the gift basket.
2. Candle snuffer
If you are giving your friend a taper candle, consider adding a snuffer to the gift basket.
These items are usually decorative and add a touch of elegance to the gift. The snuffer may even be used as a decorative item placed next to the candle.
We like this Long Handle Candle Snuffer. Fire Extinguisher.
3. Candlestick
Pair the candles that you purchase (or make) with a beautiful candlestick or holder.
Make sure the candles fit in or on the receptacle before packing them together. Not all candles are uniform in size, and purchasing a taper candle with an ill-fitting candlestick may be dangerous.
4. Bath products
If your gift basket’s purpose is to provide the recipient with a relaxing experience, include bath salts, artisanal soaps, and hand cream in the basket.
Don’t forget the loofah or natural sponge! Before including bath products with the candle gift basket, you may want to make sure that the recipient has a bathtub and not just a shower.
5. Photo frame
Creating a sympathy gift basket for someone who recently lost a loved one? Consider adding items that would remind the recipient of the person they lost.
Look on social media for photos and place one in a silver picture frame to include in the basket. Your friend may choose to place the candle near the photograph and use it as a memorial candle.
We like this Lawrence Frames 11657 Polished Silver Plate 5x7 Picture Frame - Bead Border Design.
6. Smudge sticks
Do you know someone who is moving into a new home? Candles make perfect house-warming gifts, as well as smudge sticks. Smudge sticks are fresh herbs bound together (usually including sage and lavender) that are burned to cleanse a space. Burning a smudge stick is supposed to give your home positive energy.
And if the recipient doesn’t appreciate the distinct smell left behind after burning the smudge stick, the candle in the gift basket can mask the smell.
7. Wine, champagne, or sparkling juice
Complete the celebratory atmosphere by including a bottle of wine, champagne, or sparkling juice in the gift basket.
You may include a couple of champagne flutes as well. Some of your friends would probably not be disappointed to receive a gift basket that has a couple of chilled IPAs instead.
8. Gourmet foods
Jams, syrups, olive oils, vinegars, and baked items would be appropriate items to place in a candle gift basket for a foodie.
You may consider a taste/smell theme as you assemble the items or just buy extras of your favorite things.
We like this Stonewall Kitchen Classic Jam Collection (2 pc).
9. Coffee or tea
Are you looking for a great teacher, coach, or daycare provider gift? A person who works with children for a living must be fully caffeinated.
Do some research to determine if this important person in your child’s life is a tea or coffee drinker and buy accordingly. Are you looking for an energizing candle? Buy one that has a citrus scent.
10. Wellness items
What items perk you up when you aren’t feeling well? Consider containers of chicken soup, vitamin C tablets, juices, and a soothing candle.
Place the basket on your friend’s front stoop and send a friendly text for them to retrieve it.
11. Romantic items
Are you creating a gift basket for that special loved one in your life? Along with the candle, purchase chocolate-covered strawberries, massage oils, and other romantic items for your significant other.
12. Gift cards
Purchase a gift card appropriate for the situation. Buy one for a local hardware store for new homeowners, from a spa for your stressed friend, or for a cleaning service for someone who is going through cancer treatment.
We like the Amazon.com Gift Card.
13. Books
Do you know your friend’s reading tastes? Purchase the latest bestseller by her favorite author to place in the candle gift basket. Include a journal, fine pen, tea bags, and a bookmark with the gift.
14. Chocolate
Do you need a reason to give someone chocolate? Anyone would appreciate this gift.
15. Devotional
Is your friend’s spiritual life vital to her? Include a devotional, Bible study, or even a Bible in the gift basket with the candle.
We like Find Joy: A Devotional Journey to Unshakable Wonder in an Uncertain World.
Messages to Write in a Homemade Candle Gift Basket
Before you send your gift basket, you need to think of the perfect message to write on the tag. You could purchase a premade card but why not write something from the heart?
Think about what you want to say with the gift before putting the pen to paper. Are you trying to express appreciation? Forgiveness? Love? Sympathy? Don’t worry; your message doesn’t have to be lengthy. Your friend will probably be swooning over the gifts they received to pay too close attention to the message.
16. “If you have knowledge, let others light their candles in it.” — Margaret Fuller
Margaret Fuller was an American journalist who wrote when most women did not work outside the home. Use this quote to accompany a gift basket to your child’s teacher.
17. “How far that little candle throws its beams! So shines a good deed in a naughty world.” — William Shakespeare
Are you giving someone a gift to show appreciation for a kind act? Here’s the perfect quote to accompany the gift.
18. “Just breathe. You’ve got this.”
Remind a friend that she has the strength and courage to withstand any situation. You may want to include a wall hanging that encourages faith during troubling times.
19. “You deserve a standing ovation!”
Are you congratulating someone for a specific achievement? Give a salute to your friend by gathering unique items for a celebratory gift basket.
20. “I was so sorry to hear about the loss of your mom. I hope some of these items offer a bit of comfort during this difficult time.”
Even though flowers and plants are traditional sympathy gifts, your friend may appreciate a gift basket of comforting items instead. You may want to include a book about grieving and a journal as well.
21. “Take your candle and light the world.”
A person starting a new career or graduating from college would love to receive a basket of gifts. This is a great quote to accompany such a present.
22. “You light up my world.”
Share this message with a friend or romantic partner. You may also consider using the title of a song out of the 1970s: “You Light Up My Life.”
23. “Grief is the price we pay for love.”
A bride or groom-to-be may appreciate the gift of a memorial candle to use during the wedding ceremony. Some couples light candles during a significant part of the ceremony to offer tribute to a close family member or friend who is missing from the event.
Tips on Being a Considerate Gift Giver
As you gather the gift basket items, think about everything you know about your loved one or friend. Does he suffer from migraines? Ask if any scents trigger the pain.
Does your friend have toddlers in the house? If so, taper candles with snuffers may be too much of a temptation for little people.
Does your friend have allergies or is he on a special diet? Giving chocolate and candy to a person with diabetes, for example, would not be appreciated.
Even though your mom always told you, “it’s the thought that counts,” put extra thought into finding the right gift.
If you're looking for more gift ideas, read our guides on unique gift basket ideas and pet loss gift baskets.