Let There Be Light: Candle Gift Guide

Ah, 2020. What a year. One that will go down in history. If anyone had told us this time last year that London would become a ghost town, that gigs would be cancelled, that shoppers would fight over loo roll, we’d be confined to our homes and spending Christmas away from loved ones, we’d have scoffed in their face right? But no. Covid has turned lives upside down, forced post-war generations to be more adaptable than we’ve ever had to be and made us realise how incredibly lucky we are to have our NHS as well as the key workers who have kept our country going despite the madness. Grabbing your mask with your keys and phone before you leave the house has become as standard as brushing your teeth. And bubbling away in the background? The never ending shit show that is Brexit.

Despite this, being stuck at home for most of this year has had it’s benefits. I depart 2020 feeling incredibly grateful. Along with everyone else, we weren’t with our family to celebrate this Christmas. However it felt more special almost, to open their gifts, lovingly chosen with care, and having the space to really appreciate them, without distraction. For sure it was a slower paced Christmas, but it allowed the husband and I to really take stock of how lucky we are: to have eachother, our health, and a roof over our heads. We cooked, played music, watched a lot of TV, drank A LOT of wine, and went to bed positively merry. You may have seen on my social media that we ordered a delicious dinner party menu for New Years Eve from Host by Perfect Day. It tasted incredible, as does everything Beverley at Host creates, and was super easy to prepare. I’ve also discovered that much as I love my family, having ten of them on a zoom call when we’re shouting over eachother is NOT the same as sitting around a dinner table, surrounded by cheese and wine.

As we have now passed the milestone that is winter solstice (the shortest day for you and me). It’s that time of year when we love to draw the curtains closed and light candles in the evening, creating that essential cosy atmosphere to carry us through till spring. I bloody love a candle. One birthay, I asked friends only for candles as gifts. Theres something about eating by candlelight that is terribly romantic isn’t there? It has a wonderful intimate effect, bathing everyone and everything in perfect golden light. That warm glow creates a calming and relaxing ambiance. In our house there are candles in every room, especially in the lounge. Scented candles are the ultimate for autumn/winter gifting, giving that all round warm feeling, a feast for the senses. I mean who doesn’t love a candle! For spirits that need a little soothing, which I think we all do after the year we’ve had. I’ve included scents to calm, to energize, to relax, to arouse, and simply look pretty. I’ve tried to include eco-friendly candles on the whole – vegan/free from animal testing/paraffin free etc. and from independent brands. A crossection of prices apply, and with most sites included you’ll be able to grab a discount off your first order, or if you sign up to their newsletter.

So what will 2021 bring? Before New Years Martin & I talked about our goals for 2021: the key one being to solidify our property journey by securing our first investment here in the south west, with 3-4 by the year’s end. I’ll be here, on my blog, every Sunday, writing about random shit and showering you with endless gift lists to satisfy all the weird and wonderful people in your life. Thank you all so much for your support and let’s hope that 2021 brings light at the end of the tunnel.

Lauren x

Koi Art & Craft Spiral Pillar Candle £5.86

Absolutely beautiful soy candles. Small but perfectly formed, each colour has a different scent – from musk & sandalwood to peony & blush suede.

Aery And Relax – Lemongrass Cedar & Patchouli £24.95

Good for you & good for the planet too. Not only do these candles smell incredible, they’re made with sustainable ingredients: clean biodegradable soy wax with lead free cotton wicks. They’re also vegan and cruelty free, contain no paraffin or mineral wax, recyclable glass, recycled tube packaging and printed with non-toxic plant based ink. 45 hour burn time.

Aliceinscandiland Taper Beeswax Candles £4.50

I am loving natural tones, textures and materials lately. These natural bees wax candles are something else. Paired back and absolutely stunning, they will add depth and elegance to any table setting.

Trouva Tallow Candle £12.95

No, your eyes do not deceive you. Each candle is candle and candlestick in one, produced by hand in the Netherlands, using traditional tallow candle making recipes. The playful and beautiful design is entirely made of wax, with an 8 hour burn time. With a selection of colours to choose from, ranging from rich and deep to bright and bold shades.

LeBon Shell Candle £10

Perfect little shell candles, that you can choose the colour and scent, including coconut so you can combine that look & aroma of the beach. Hand poured with vegan soy wax.

Irusu DUSK Lavender, Eucalyptus & Rosemary £25

IRUSU means to ‘pretend to not be home when someone knocks at your door.’ With a burn time of up to 45 hours, Irusu candles contain only essential oils and sustainable soy wax. Each candle is hand blended, poured and numbered. Every purchase is lovingly wrapped in recyclable packaging. They’re vegan and cruelty free too, making them the perfect gift for the eco warrior in your life.

Twisted Tapered Candle £25

Twist Tapered Candle by Rotterdam based designer, Lex Pott explains “The liquid state of wax was a starting point in this project. By bending and twisting candles a new typology appears combining form, function and fun”. You won’t want to burn these candles.

Paddywax Peace Candle – Lavender + Thyme £16

Playful and unique, the Paddywax Peace Candles are quality product. In cute ceramic pots, each candle comes with a gold foil stamped dust cover with a fun sentiment.

Scented Skull Candle £9.90

Avaialable in 60 colours. Yes. 60 COLOURS. These epic skull candles are made with 100% vegetable wax with natural dyes and poured by hand. Thanks to the gobsmaking choice of colours, the world is your oyster when it comes to creating your candle display. Not to mention the 50 fragrances to choose from. Each candles comes wrapped in a box tied with a red ribbon. Perfect gifting for goths, vampires and witches.

Eym Soul – The Joyful One £35

Proudly 100% natural candles made in the UK. Described as sensual and luxurious with fragrance notes of neroli, orange blossom and ylang ylang. Boasting to invoke feelings of joy and happiness, calming the nervous system. A burn time of 50 hours, Eym recommend burning for a minimum of 2 hours, as natural candles have no booster chemicals so need some time to spread their scent.

Scented Venus Bust Candle £15

Inspired by Venus, the Roman goddess of love, beauty, prosperity, fertility, and victory. Hand poured in London using Soy Wax and fragrance oils with natural dye. Sexy and empowering, it makes for gorgeous decor, and may even be too pretty to burn.

La Montaña First Light Candle £36

“On our mountain, at first light, there’s a heavenly fragrance in the air. Before anyone starts an engine, or lights a fire, the air is clear, and still, and silent,” says La Montaña’s team of the beautiful Spanish cliffs where they’re based. Inspired by that special moment at breaking dawn, this hand-poured candle is blended with wild flora and natural scents from the mountain range, including Fennel, Rosemary, Rockrose and Mountain Pepper for a fresh, uplifting aroma. 40 hour burn time.

Lux & Flame Ombre Soy Wax Candlesticks £16

Elevate any space with Lux’ small-batch hand-poured ombre marbled candles. Included with a touch of glitter to make these truly special sticks. Lux’ candles are hand poured in the UK, with a exceptional selection of scents. Cruelty free, vegan, finished off with recyclable packaging. 100% soy wax. Enjoy the visuals, and the zoom-call compliments.

Coconut, Fig & Oregano Scented Candle £20

Viagem [Portuguese: the journey] is inspired by the beautiful, mellow city of Lisbon. The combo of coconut, oregano and fig leaf, creates a sense of hazy and balmy evenings. The earthy and sweet notes create an atmosphere to help you unwind & relax. The scent of summer even when our English weather doesn’t play ball. Created using bespoke blends of the finest botanical fragrances and essential oils. Made from non-GMO eco wax, ensuring a clean burn and an excellent scent throw. 40 hour burn time.

Single Knot Lime Soy Wax Candle £39

Straight out of Architectural Digest and a hygge living essential. These fragrant knot candles made of natural soy wax create a cozy and inviting atmosphere with their honey & lime scent. Burn time is 19 hours.

Boucle Natural Soy Wax Candle £16

These 100% natural soy wax essential oil scented candles are handmade in Bouclé’s home studio in Hackney. These lush ethical soy candles are available in a range of delightful scents including clary sage, patchouli, bergamot & palmarosa.

V Candle Hand £30.60

Featuring a retro, lifelike design, you could be convinced that these have been stolen straight out of Madam Tussauds. Depending on which way you face it, the hand is either giving you a sign of peace and positivity, or it’s flipping you the bird. Whichever way you look at it, the yellow V Candle is a brilliant little candle and a great addition to an eclectic mantlepiece.