How to Use a Reed Diffuser

Reed diffusers are an excellent way to add around-the-clock scent to your home since they don’t require a power outlet or use an open flame. Below, we explain how to use a reed diffuser, offer tips for the best places to locate a reed diffuser and explain the differences between a reed diffuser and an aroma diffuser.   How to Use a Reed Diffuser   Remove the stopper on the jar. If the oil came in a separate jar, uncap that too and pour a few ounces of oil into the diffuser. Recap the oil and store it in a cool, dry place. This will preserve the oil’s fragrance for as long as possible. Put the rattan reeds inside the jar and arrange them artfully. Flip them whenever you want a burst of fragrance. Do it over a trash can or sink to catch any oil drips. Keep in mind that flipping the reeds more often will cause the oil to evaporate more quickly. Place the diffuser out of reach of pets, children and anything that might cause it to spill over. Put a placemat or coaster underneath it to catch any oil drips if you’re worried about damaging the surface. Once you notice the oil has evaporated, clean out the jar with soap and water and let it dry (otherwise the water will repel the oil!). Then fill it again with a few ounces of oil and store the bottle. You’ll get a better aroma if you start fresh instead of adding to old oil. Change the reeds whenever you change the oil. Reeds get dusty and clogged with oil over time, and regularly replacing them will ensure you have the strongest fragrance possible. If you’re going on a trip or will otherwise be away from the house for a while, flip the reeds before you leave and again when you get back for a fresh-smelling home.   Where to Place a Reed Diffuser   There are many great locations for placing reed diffusers around your home. The key is to match the size of the diffuser to the size of the room: The larger the room, the larger the diffuser needs to be to spread the scent around. Here are some great places to put a reed diffuser:   Linen closet: Keep your towels and sheets smelling good by placing a reed diffuser in the linen closet with them. Make sure that the diffuser isn’t in a place where it will tip over, as getting oil stains out of fabric can be annoying. Look for a fresh, crisp scent that smells subtle and clean without overwhelming. Bathroom: The bathroom is often the smallest (and can be the smelliest) room in the house, which makes it a perfect candidate for an around-the-clock fragrance improvement. Most surfaces in the bathroom are also oil-resistant, so you can set the diffuser on top of a toilet or countertop, though do be careful of grout. Bedroom: Wake up in the morning with energizing citrus or wind down at night with comforting lavender by placing a reed diffuser in your bedroom. Choose a stable surface where the diffuser won’t get knocked over and put down on a coaster if you have wood furniture to protect it from discoloration and warping. Entryway or mudroom: Come home to a great smelling house by placing your reed diffuser in an entryway or mudroom. Since these areas are high traffic, the trick is finding an out-of-the way spot where the reed diffuser won’t get knocked over by coats and bags. If you can find a good location, you’ll significantly upgrade your entryway’s scent profile.   How Is a Reed Diffuser Different from an Aroma Diffuser?   Reed and aroma diffusers both circulate scented oils in the air without heat. However, the mechanisms they use to accomplish this are a bit different. The small channels in the rattan sticks of reed diffusers absorb the oils, letting them travel up the sticks and releasing them into the room. In aroma diffusers, a bit of oil is added to a pad or to water and then exposed to air.   The main difference between reed and aroma diffusers is that aroma diffusers require access to an electrical outlet while reed diffusers do not. Aroma diffusers use the electricity to release the scented vapor into the air, spreading fragrances around the whole room. Thus, if you want to add fragrance to an area that doesn’t have a power outlet, reed diffusers are a great choice. Ready to get a reed diffuser for your home? Shop our new collection of reed diffusers.

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What Does Vetiver Smell Like?

Vetiver is common in everything from scented candles to perfume, but few people know what it smells like compared to other popular fragrances like vanilla or leather. Below, we explain what vetiver smells like and highlight four of our most well-loved candles that feature vetiver as part of their scent profiles.   What does vetiver smell like? Vetiver comes from a plant called Chrysopogon zizanioides, a perennial grass native to India. This grass grows up to 1.5 meters (about five feet). It features tall stems and thin, rigid leaves. It’s related to other fragrant grasses such as lemon grass and citronella. Vetiver smells dry, earthy, woody, leathery and smoky. Think of uncut grass on a warm day and you’ll have a rough idea of what vetiver smells like. Vetiver is considered to be a more masculine fragrance, and is used in candles, colognes and other scented products marketed to men. When the plant is 18-24 months old, the roots are harvested to extract the fragrant essential oil used in candles, soaps, creams and other products. The plants are aged and then soaked in water. The vetiver oil is skimmed off the top. There is no synthetic version of vetiver essential oil due to its complex scent profile, which includes more than 100 components. Vetiver is sometimes referred to as the “Oil of Tranquility” or “The Fragrance of the Soil” for its calming effects. Aromatherapy uses vetiver to boost immunity, reduce anxiety and promote mental clarity. Vetiver does best in sandy loam or clay loam soil and climates that are tropical, subtropical or Mediterranean. Vetiver is indigenous to India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka and Malaysia. However, it’s also cultivated in other tropical regions around the world, including Guatemala, Honduras, Brazil, Argentina, Haiti, Jamaica, Belgian Congo, Africa, Indonesia, the Philippines, Japan, India, China and Australia.   What candles smell like vetiver? While you may not know it, some of your favorite candles probably use vetiver as one of their fragrance notes. Below, we’ve rounded up some of our most popular scents that feature vetiver as a main note.   Dallas Candle This leather and smoke candle captures the scent of one of the biggest cities in the Lone Star State and the country. The base scent combines vetiver, frankincense and oakmoss for an earthy, spicy aroma. The smoke notes give a nod to Texas’ famous barbecue scene, while the cedar fragrance calls to mind the piney forests that cover huge swathes of the state. Grapefruit and bergamot add a light, citrusy top note that cleanses the palate, while leather and nutmeg help round out the scent profile.   Washington D.C. Candle Cherry blossom season in Washington D.C. peaks in late March and early April, but you can relive it year-round with our cherry blossom candle. Cherry blossom is far from the only scent note in this candle. We also took inspiration from the classic stone buildings of the National Mall and the leather-bound books in the Library of Congress. Base notes of moss, amber and musk mix with cedarwood, vetiver and sandalwood. The entire scent profile is topped with a sprinkling of zesty orange to finish off the fragrance.   Alaska Candle Visit the largest state in the union without ever leaving home with our Alaska candle. We took inspiration from the Last Frontier with hints of mountain spruce mixed with winter snow and glacial accents. The base of vetiver, amber and musk anchors the fragrance profile for the perfect mix of earthiness and sweetness. Our spruce candle also incorporates tones of forest moss and hints of crisp winter air, as well as finishing notes of peppermint and spearmint.   Nebraska Candle This strong, masculine candle scent captures the Cornhusker State with notes of rich football leather, fresh cut hay and rolling thunderstorms. Spicy tonka bean blends together with vetiver and amber for an appealing base fragrance, while notes of jasmine and cedarwood help round out the scent profile. Orange and bergamot finish off the scent profile for a refreshing conclusion that’s almost as invigorating as the wide open spaces of Nebraska. Vetiver is far from the only candle fragrance. If you would like to see what other candles we offer, browse our collections of scented candles based on states and cities. We also offer multiple scents–including those that smell like vetiver–in reed diffusers if you’re looking for a flame-free option.

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Do You Need to Trim the Candle Wick? And 6 Other Common Candle Care Questions

If you’ve simply been lighting and blowing out your scented soy candles without doing any kind of maintenance, you’ve been doing yourself and your candles a disservice. Taking just a few small steps—such as trimming the wicks and protecting the wax from dust—will help your candle burn longer and more evenly. Discover why you should trim the candle wick, plus six other tips for taking care of your candle.   Why You Should Trim the Candle Wick   Trimming a candle wick is such a small difference that it seems like it shouldn’t affect using your candle too much. After all, your candle will still burn whether or not you trim the wick, right? While this is technically true, the small action of trimming the wick can help prolong the life of your candle by as much as 25 percent and keep it looking nice. Leaving a wick long means that you’ll have a larger flame, which will melt more wax and give the candle more fuel. This larger amount of fuel can lead to incomplete combustion, which in turn creates more soot, making your candle container black and dirty. Many long wicks also form a little curl on top as they burn, creating an uneven shape that tends to waver around, which exacerbates the soot formation. Keeping the candle wick trimmed helps control the amount of melted wax (i.e., fuel) that the candle has access to, which helps limit the amount of soot it creates. The trimmed wick also helps the candle burn more evenly, controlling the soot and prolonging the life of the candle. (Reducing the soot also makes it easier to repurpose the candle jar when you’re done burning the candle.) Every time you burn a candle for four hours, extinguish the flame and let the candle cool to room temperature. This usually takes about two hours for larger candles. Then, trim the candle wick down to one-eighth to one-fourth inch before relighting again. You can use scissors at the beginning, but as the candle burns down it will be easier to use nail clippers or even an official wick trimmer.   Other Candle Care Tips   Trimming a wick isn’t the only thing you can do to care for your candle and make it last longer. These six tips will help keep your soy or coconut wax candle looking as nice as the day you bought it: Do burn the candle for roughly two hours during its first burn. This will ensure that the entire first layer of wax becomes liquid and then resolidifies. If you don’t burn the candle for long enough, only the area immediately around the wick will melt. This can lead to tunneling, in which only the center of the candle burns down, leaving a ring of hard wax about the outside of the candle. Don’t burn the candle for more than four hours at a time. Once you get past the four-hour mark, the wax begins to super heat, which can reduce the candle’s scent. It also contributes to the creation of smoke, which marks up the candle’s container and further messes with the scent. Do recenter the wick if it moves or bends over. If you notice the candle wick has moved during burning, blow out the flame and let the candle cool. Then, use your fingers, tweezers or tongs to move it towards the center and straighten it up. Keeping the wick trimmed short will also help stop it from falling over. Don’t leave the candle in a drafty area. Stray breezes cause the candle to burn unevenly and can even put the flame out completely. Stay away from vents, fans, open windows, AC units and any other locations where the flame might be exposed. Do keep the top of your candle clean and dust-free. If you’re not burning your candle often (though we don’t know why you wouldn’t!), the top will accumulate dust and other particles. Storing it in a covered cabinet or replacing the lid (if there is one) can help keep the top clear. If you do notice some dust on it, carefully wipe off the top of the wax with a damp cotton pad before lighting it again. Don’t let soot marks accumulate on the glass—this will make them much harder to clean off eventually. Dab a little bit of soap on a damp cotton pad and wipe it over the soot until the stains come off. Let the glass dry completely before lighting the candle again.

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9 Gifts for People Who Like to Read

If you’re not a book lover yourself, it can be hard to think of creative gifts for people who like to read. To help you find the perfect present, we’ve rounded up nine of our favorite gift ideas for book lovers–from booklights to scented candles to e-readers to themed games.   Book-Scented Candle Is there anything better than lighting a scented soy or coconut wax candle and curling up with a good book? We don’t think so. For the reader who already owns too many books, we recommend our Library candle that smells like books. Base notes of vanilla, balsam and amber anchor the fragrance and the aroma of library books is interlaced with notes of cinnamon, clove, cedarwood, sandalwood, orange and nutmeg.   Heated Blanket Reading is one of the best activities to do during the winter months when the weather is too cold to go outside. Help your gift recipient stay extra cozy by giving them a heated blanket to keep them warm no matter the temperature outside. These electric blankets deliver a gentle yet consistent heat and will stay toasty even if you have to get up. Heated blankets come in almost as many styles as regular blankets–from plaid flannel to microfiber plush.   Backrest Pillow Sitting in bed to read sounds like a great idea, but it can be hard to find a comfortable position that doesn’t involve squashing your regular pillows behind you. If your friends like to read in bed and don’t have one already, consider giving them a backrest pillow with arms. These pillows are quite affordable and provide substantial support to keep you from hurting your back while reading in bed.   Bookshelves and Bookends If your friend already owns too many books, odds are good that they don’t have enough shelves to store them all. If you’ve been to your friend’s house and know what their decor looks like and what space they have available, buying them a matching bookcase is a thoughtful gift they’ll be sure to use for years to come. If a bookcase isn’t a feasible idea, you can also get them a set of unique bookends for their existing shelves.   Book-Themed Games If your book lover is also a vocabulary nerd, you can’t go wrong with a nice edition of Scrabble. However, there are plenty of lesser-known board games for literary fans beyond just Scrabble. For example, Ex Libris makes players race each other to collect the biggest and best collections of rare books, while It Was a Dark and Stormy Night asks participants to identify books based on their opening lines.   Booklight Reading in light that’s too dim really puts a strain on your eyes and can cause your eyes to get tired more quickly (though it won’t make your eyesight worse, contrary to popular belief). Help the reader in your life keep their eyes feeling good with a strong booklight that will provide plenty of illumination. There are even some fancy models that hang around your neck for hands-free reading!   Kindle or Other E-Reader If you’re looking to splurge, an e-reader such as a Kindle or a Nook is a gift that any reader is sure to treasure for many years to come. If they already own an e-reader and you’re looking to keep your budget a bit lower, you can also get them a case for their existing e-reader. Credits to buy e-books from popular services, or even a specialized e-book subscription service, will keep them in books all year round.   Literary Mugs and Glasses If there’s one thing readers love as much as books, it’s beverages. From coffee mugs emblazoned with Shakespeare quotes to shot glasses decorated with the faces of famous writers, there’s a cup or glass out there for every reader, no matter their beverage of choice. There are also plenty of other options besides glasses–from literary-themed cocktail books to wine charms with book motifs.   Gift Card to Their Favorite Indie Bookstore If you’re not sure what to give your friend, you can’t go wrong with a gift card to their favorite local indie bookstore. Many bookstores carry cute gifts and reading accessories as well as the books themselves, giving your gift card recipient a wide variety of items to choose from. Plus, you’ll be supporting a local business, something you can always feel good about. Good luck finding the perfect gift for the person in your life who loves to read! You can’t go wrong with any of the ideas on this list if you’re looking for inspiration.

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Frosty Favorites: Our Top 18 Winter Candles

’Tis the season to take shelter from the elements and burn delicious-smelling candles all day long. If you’re looking for the perfect winter candle scents, we’ve done the work for you and rounded up some of our favorite candles that are perfect for the season. Whether you want to evoke a kiss under the mistletoe, fresh-baked pie, a long road trip to grandma’s or a wintry campfire, we’ve got you covered. Here are our 18 favorite winter candles: Holiday Candle The winter holidays can be a tough time for some people, especially those who live far away from their family. Whether you’re counting down the days until you can fly home, or ruing the fact that you won’t be able to visit family this year, let us take you home for the holidays with this delicious candle scent. We took fresh cut pine trees, pomander balls, mom’s sugar cookies, grandma’s pies and crackling fires and combined them all in a candle that smells just like the holidays. Scent notes include oakmoss, vanilla, musk, sandalwood, wintermint, cinnamon, clove and bay. Love Candle Love is in the air at the end of the year, whether you’re reconnecting with your family members, falling for a new partner or getting ready for baby’s first Christmas. Even if you’re single, you still have the affections of your friends and family to count on. Celebrate both love and the holidays with this wonderful-smelling winter candle. Plus, with its 60-80 hours of typical burn time, the chances are good that this Love candle will see you all the way through Valentine’s Day, too! Scent notes include jasmine, sandalwood, rose, peony, cassis and lemon for a fragrance that’s sweet but not cloying. Jewish Christmas Many Jews who celebrate Hanukkah don’t observe Christmas. Instead, they make the most of their day off by going to the movies and then eating Chinese food since many other restaurants and businesses are closed on Christmas Day. Our Jewish Christmas candle calls to mind these traditions with top notes of butter and popcorn. Other scent notes include vanilla, cinnamon, clove and nutmeg for a lovely aroma that smells just as sweet as these memories. Hanukkah Candle While some people refer to Hanukkah as “Jewish Christmas” due to the two holidays’ proximity on the calendar, Hanukkah is a distinct holiday with its own traditions that actually date much earlier than the origins of Christmas. Modern-day Hanukkah celebrations often feature grabbing boxes of warm jelly donuts from the corner deli and serving fresh-out-of-the-frying-pan potato latkes with applesauce. Our Hanukkah candle calls these memories to mind with scents of potatoes, apples and cake. Other scent notes include vanilla and musk for a well-balanced aroma that’s both sweet and savory. Mistletoe Candle You don’t have to kiss someone if you both walk past our mistletoe candle, but we definitely won’t stop you if you want to. Simply light the wick and close your eyes and you’ll remember wandering through the gently falling snow, holding hands with your special someone and admiring all the holiday lights together. This candle combines base notes of sugared spruce, musk and holiday cedar with touches of cool eucalyptus, Siberian fir and mistletoe wreath. We finished off the scent profile with a hint of frosted air, holly berry and raspberries for a fragrance that smells like a romantic holiday date. Grandma’s Kitchen Candle No one can bake quite like Grandma can, and Christmas season is truly her time to shine. Pies, cakes, cookies, brownies, bread—you name it, Grandma can bake it, and she’ll probably make a huge batch to give away to family and strangers alike. This candle will make your home smell like her comforting, warm kitchen without the mess of getting flour everywhere. Sugar, vanilla and tonka bean combine for a sweet yet spicy scent profile. Other scent notes include cinnamon, clove, apple and butter that call to mind Grandma’s classic apple pie and sugar cookie recipes. First Kiss Candle The winter holidays are a popular time for couples to get together or take their relationship to the next level with a proposal. Celebrate the start of a new relationship or commemorate a new milestone in an old one with our First Kiss candle. Relive that burst of adrenaline as your lips brushed for the first time with base notes of amber, musk and tonka bean. Touches of sandalwood, patchouli, clove and camphor round out the scent profile, while hints of eucalyptus, fir needles and orange will linger with you like a good first kiss. Pumpkin Patch Candle Pumpkin pie is a staple dessert of the winter holidays, especially Thanksgiving and Christmas, and pumpkin spice flavored products are available everywhere you turn. (Just to clear up the confusion, pumpkin spice refers to the spices used to flavor pumpkin pie, rather than pumpkin flavoring itself.) Instead of making a pie yourself from scratch, simply light this candle and you’ll recall the tempting aromas of pumpkin spice and pumpkin pie. Vanilla, tonka bean and sugar scents combine with ginger, cinnamon, clove, nutmeg and lemon for a candle that smells almost good enough to eat. (Please don’t try that, though.) Apple Orchard Candle If you’re not a fan of pumpkin pie, perhaps we can tempt you with a candle that smells like apple pie instead? While prime apple picking time in the U.S. happens earlier in the fall, apples are still in season well into winter, making this delicious dessert another holiday staple. We recreated the scent of crisp apples, spiced sugar and flaky pie crust with base notes of allspice and sugar cane. Then, we added notes of red apple, pomegranate, clove buds, cinnamon sticks and pears to create a tasty scent that smells just like a pie cooling on the counter. Dunkin’ Peppermint Mocha Candle While you can drink peppermint mochas year-round, they just taste better during the winter months. It’s science, we checked. One of the three scents we created in collaboration with Dunkin’ Donuts, this peppermint mocha candle combines a base of sugarcane and steamed milk with notes of brewed espresso, mocha, vanilla extract and espresso bean. Hints of peppermint, dark chocolate and whipped cream finish off the scent profile just like a real mocha. Be sure to check out the other two scents–the Original Blend and Old Fashioned–which are based on Dunkin’s famed coffee and donuts, respectively. Thank You, Mom Candle In many families, Mom does the majority of the holiday decorating, gift buying, wrapping, card writing, cooking, baking, cleaning…the list goes on and on. Show your appreciation for all her hard work with this thoughtful candle, which has packaging that includes blank spaces for you to fill in sweet notes to Mom. You’d traditionally bring a hostess gift when you stay with a friend, so why not do the same for your Mom, who does so much for the family over the holidays? Base notes of sandalwood and musk mix with jasmine, ylang ylang, white lily and clove for a light floral scent that’s not too overpowering. Other scent notes include bergamot, lavender and sage. Road Trip Candle The winter holidays mean piling into the car for long road trips over the river and through the woods to get to grandma’s house. Even if you didn’t like the long car trips as a kid, for many people, these long drives are now a source of fond memories. Relive the journey with our road trip candle and a scent profile that conjures up winding highways and playing records on full blast. Amber and musk swirl together with paper, cedarwood and jasmine, with finishing touches of lime, leather and water to evoke the scenery rushing by outside the car window. Library Candle Is there anything better to do on a snow day than curl up under a warm blanket with a good book? Add a roaring fire and a cup of hot chocolate and you’ve got a recipe for the perfect winter afternoon. If this sounds great to you, we suggest you check out this candle that smells like books–think antique paper pages and leather covers. Base notes of vanilla, balsam and amber mingle with cinnamon, clove, sandalwood and cedarwood. Orange and nutmeg finish off the scent profile for a delightful winter candle scent. North Dakota Candle Winter can be a six-month affair in North Dakota—residents will sometimes get snow as late as May—making this the perfect winter candle for the season. Thankfully, we were able to capture the spirit of a clear North Dakota winter day without the icy wind and sub-zero temperatures. Like a hike through North Dakota’s prairies and hills, this fragrance is reminiscent of spruce, light snow, clear winter air and nuanced undertones of cedarwood. A touch of clove and vanilla add a sweet background and a comforting finish, just like the open plains. Other scent notes include amber, musk, vanilla and tonka bean. Utah Candle While Utah is known for its extremely hot summers and Mars-like red rock vistas, it also gets some serious winter snow that’s just as beautiful as its clear summer days. Our candle recalls the snow-capped mountains of the Beehive State with the scent of fresh powder snow, spruce trees and ski lodges. Woody notes of cedar and sandalwood mix with cinnamon spice for a perfect hint of sweet after a day on the slopes. Other scent notes include amber and musk. Wisconsin Candle Wisconsin doesn’t just produce dairy—it’s also known for the Kringle, a danish-like pastry brought to the state by Danish immigrants. Shaped like a wreath or a rectangle, this delicious dessert is filled with fruits, nuts, cheeses and other tasty ingredients for a perfect holiday treat. We took inspiration from the kringle for this state candle, taking a base of cookie and vanilla tonka scents and adding in notes of cinnamon, peppermint, butter, cream and maple. Finally, we finished everything off with a top note of cranberry, one of the state’s major exports. Wyoming Candle Nothing says winter like gathering around a campfire on a cold December night to drink hot chocolate and toast s’mores. This scent profile of this wintry campfire candle brings together smoky campfires, winter air, mint and pine needles for a perfect seasonal scent. If you’ve been craving a campfire, but don’t actually have a place to light some wood on fire, this candle will help you recreate the experience safely inside your home. Just don’t try actually toasting a s’more over the wick! Other scent notes include amber, musk, cinnamon, clove, sandalwood, patchouli and cedarwood. Canada Candle There’s no place more wintry than the Great White North. The brutally cold, snowy winter makes it possible to play ice hockey almost year-round and the high latitude makes sightings of the Northern Lights quite common, creating truly unforgettable winters. And if you get too cold, you can dig into a warm stack of pancakes slathered in maple syrup to warm you up from the inside. We captured all these experiences in our Canada candle, combining vanilla, butter, oakmoss, fir needles and grass for an evocative fragrance. Other scent notes include eucalyptus, ocean, lily, rose, amber and musk. Bring the season inside (minus the cold and wet) with these wintry holiday scented candles. Whether you want a sweet-smelling candle that conjures up Christmas baking or a fresh scent that smells like a day on the ski slopes, we offer the perfect winter candle for your needs.

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How to Wrap a Candle for a Gift

Wrapping cylindrical gifts like scented candles can be tricky. It’s all too easy to end up with excess paper that makes the gift look messy. If your candle didn’t come in a box, or you want to remove it from the box and then wrap it, try one of these four ways to wrap a candle. The Fan Method This method is best for candles that you want to stand up. If one end of the candle is open (i.e., it doesn’t have a lid), pleat that end first. Cut a piece of gift wrap that completely encircles the candle, leaving a ½-inch overlap so it can be taped shut. Leave yourself about two inches of wrapping paper on either side of the two flat ends. Trim as necessary, since excess paper will make the gift look messy. To determine exactly how much paper you need, measure the diameter of the candle, add an inch for overlap and divide it in two. Tape the round seam and then choose an end to start wrapping. Fold one end of the paper flat against the bottom of the candle and hold it in place. The wrapping paper will stick up on either side. Choose one side and fold it down flat against the candle bottom to create a pleat. Move an inch down the paper and create another pleat that overlaps with the first. Continue this process until the whole bottom is covered. This video demonstrates the fan method around the 1:50 mark. Secure the end with tape and repeat on the other end of the candle. Add ribbon or a bow if desired. The “Candy Wrapper” Method So-named because the resulting gift wrap looks a bit like a piece of candy, this method is best for a candle that you plan to lay on its side rather than standing up. Cut a piece of gift wrap that completely encircles the candle, leaving a ½-inch overlap so it can be taped shut. Leave yourself plenty of paper on either end of the candle. You don’t need to worry about excess paper this time because you won’t actually be folding or pleating it. Make sure the candle is in the center of the paper tube and then take one end of the tube and gently twist it around. Do this carefully to avoid ripping the paper and hold the candle to keep it from sliding down the tube. Twist the paper on the other end. Tie the ends with ribbon or tape the paper to keep it from untwisting. The Combination Method This method lets you combine the festive look of the candy wrapper with the ability to stand the candle on its bottom. Cut a piece of gift wrap that completely encircles the candle, leaving a ½-inch overlap so it can be taped shut. Leave yourself about two inches of wrapping paper on the bottom of the candle. To determine exactly how much you need, measure the diameter of the candle, add an inch for overlap and divide it in two. Tape the round seam. Fold the paper flat against the bottom of the candle and hold it in place. The wrapping paper will stick up on either side. Choose one side and fold it down flat against the candle bottom to create a pleat. Move an inch down the paper and create another pleat that overlaps with the first. Continue this process until the whole bottom is covered. Take the other end of the paper tube and gently twist it around. Do this carefully to avoid ripping the paper. Tie the end with ribbon or tape the paper to keep it from untwisting. The Gift Bag or Box Method The easiest method, this approach gives you the opportunity to be eco-friendly and put the candle in a reusable container like a cute storage container or a fabric bag. Wrap the candle in tissue paper for protection. It doesn’t need to be too neat, since it will be going in something else. Place the candle inside the bag. Make sure the bottom is sturdy enough to support it so the glass doesn’t break. Add decorative tissue paper to the top if necessary. Add a tag or ribbon, if desired. If you’re wondering how to wrap a candle, any of these four methods will ensure that your gift comes out looking just as pretty as the scented candle itself.

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How to Get Wax Out of a Candle Jar

You’ve finished burning your Homesick candle and you’d like to do something with the jar, but there’s still some pesky wax left in the bottom. Discover four ways to get wax out of a candle jar, plus tips for removing the label and ideas for repurposing the jars. How to Get Wax Out of a Candle Jar There are several different methods for quickly and easily removing wax from candle jars. Here are four tried-and-true processes: Unlike water, wax shrinks when it freezes. (In fact, most substances do. Water is an anomaly.) Take advantage of this and pop the candle into the freezer for a couple of hours. The wax should pull away from the sides of the jar as it freezes, making it easy to remove. If the wax isn’t loose to the touch, it hasn’t been in the freezer long enough. This method works best on candles that only have a little bit of wax left. Lay down a towel or something else to protect the surface and then set the candle on it. Heat water until boiling and then pour into the candle holder. Leave some room at the top. The wax will begin to melt and rise to the surface and then harden again. Once the water has cooled, remove the wax and pour out the water. Place the candle at the bottom of a large bowl. Pour hot water into the bowl around the candle, being careful not to get water into the candle. Once the edges of the wax begin to soften, you can pop it out in one piece. This works best with soy candles, which have a low melting point. If the candle has a label that you want to preserve, do NOT use this method, as the water can stain or discolor it. Preheat the oven to 200°F and cover a baking sheet in aluminum foil. Place all your candle holders open side down on the foil and place in the oven for 15 minutes. Remove from the oven and carefully take the candle holders off the tray using an oven mitt. This is a very efficient way to remove the wax from numerous candles at once. Just be sure not to crowd the baking sheet too much; otherwise, the wax can overflow the sides of the pan and get all over your oven. After you’ve removed most of the wax, wipe out the candle jar with a paper while it’s still warm. Remove the wick holder with a butter knife if it’s stuck in place (the heat from the wax melting should also have loosened the glue). Wash out the inside of the candle holder with dish soap and dry it out, being careful not to stain the label. How to Remove Labels from Candle Jars Many people like to leave the pretty labels on their scented candle jars, but if you’d like to remove them, there are a couple of different approaches you can try: Fill a sink, bucket or pot with hot water, making sure that it’s deep enough to completely submerge your jar. Mix dish soap thoroughly into the water. If the labels are really stuck on, you can add some white vinegar, too. Let it sit, checking every 10 minutes or so, until the label is loose enough to come off in one piece. If you have a large enough pot, fill it with water and either liquid dish soap or baking soda. Put your jars in the pot. Place it on a stove burner and turn up the heat until the water is gently simmering (not boiling!). If you want to help the process along, you can carefully peel off the labels with a pair of tongs, or leave the jars until the labels come off on their own. If any residue remains on the jars after these processes, rub it with more baking soda until it’s all removed. How to Reuse Candle Jars So you’ve got the wax and label removed from your candle jar. Now what? These are some of our favorite ways to reuse Homesick candle jars: Use them as glassware or small flower vases. Plant small succulents or other plants inside them. Take them to the office and use them to corral paperclips, rubber bands and other small supplies. Store makeup brushes, Q-tips, lipsticks and other beauty supplies in them. Put your pencil, stamps and other art supplies inside them. Use the jars as holders for tea lights or smaller pillar candles. Removing wax and labels from a candle jar is a simple process. Before you know it, you’ll be sipping rosé or displaying flowers in your Homesick candle jar.

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Cactus Blossoms and Blue Agave: Scents of the Southwest

Stretching from the snow-capped crests of the Rocky Mountains in Colorado to the arid, cacti-covered Sonoran Desert that spans from Arizona to neighboring Mexico, the Southwest is abundant with diverse, postcard-perfect destinations. And while picturesque landscapes are certainly a defining characteristic of this region, the American Southwest is also rich in history and culture, as well.  Embodying the allure of the Southwest, novels about this region are often written in the style of “magical realism,” capturing both the storied mystery of the desert and the culture of the Southwest’s indigenous peoples. A region undoubtedly shaped by Native American influence, the traditions and customs of the Southwest’s original dwellers can be found throughout this part of the U.S. You’ll likely come across ancient rock carvings and modern-day souvenirs alike showcasing the revered Native American fertility deity, Kokopelli. Or maybe you’ll visit New Mexico’s Turquoise Trail and discover the history of the Puebloans who mined the vibrant blue “sky stone,” believing the gem could provide wellness and protection. Of course, you can’t truly experience the culture of the Southwest without digging into the local cuisine. Savor the flavors of Mexico mixed into the region’s unique fare, known for its hearty helpings of chile sauce, blue corn tortillas and Southwestern specialties like the chimichanga.  Whether you’re longing for the Southwestern state you grew up in, or are looking to revisit one of the region’s popular vacation spots, let Homesick’s city and state-scented candles be your travel guide. Take a trip to a region rooted in rich Native American history, abundant in flavor-packed traditional cuisine and characterized by awe-inspiring mountain and desert terrains. The Southwest’s Regional Scents To help you embark on a sensory exploration of the Southwest with nothing more than a match and a candle, we first had to sniff out the scents that instantly transport you to this corner of the U.S. From the cacti-dotted mountain ranges to the sloping desert landscapes, the Southwest is home to unique crops and natural features that are exclusive to the region. By layering their distinct aromas into our Southwestern candles, we’re crafting fragrances that capture the scenery and the spirit of the American Southwest.  Cactus Blossom: The flora of the Southwest, cacti are a botanical trademark of this region. Found from the gorges of the Grand Canyon to the sands of the Mojave Desert, these succulents define the Southwestern landscape. Whether it’s the towering Saguaro cactus, the state flower of Arizona, with its fragrant white and yellow flowers, or the prickly pear varieties that produce a delicious syrup for margaritas, the aroma of a cacti’s floral, sweet-smelling blossoms is perfect for transporting you to the Southwest.  Blue Agave: Speaking of sipping on a prickly pear margarita, you can’t mix this Southwest-inspired cocktail without its star ingredient–tequila. And we wouldn’t have this mescal spirit if it weren’t for another quintessential Southwestern succulent known as blue agave. Long, flat leaves in dusty green to almost teal-tinted hues reach from the agave’s stem, where the sap is harvested for both tequila and agave sweetener. So if you’ve ever used an agave-based sugar substitute in your cooking or enjoyed a tequila-infused libation, you have this regional crop to thank. With its fresh, sweet fragrance, it’s a scent you’ll savor in our Southwestern candles, too.   Desert Sand: A region nicknamed the Desert Southwest, this stretch of the U.S. is well-known for its sandy, arid terrain. From the high temperatures of the Mojave Desert’s Death Valley to New Mexico’s breathtaking White Sands in the Chihuahuan Desert, the dunes and canyons of the desert are home to many of the Southwest’s most renowned scenic landmarks. So to pour the essence of the Southwest into our candles, we had to capture the scent of its iconic landscapes. The heat of the dry desert air and the sand-covered desert floor warm up our Southwest scents, lending a natural, earthy aroma to our regional candles.   Citrus: A key crop of the Southwest, you’ll find an assortment of aromatic citrus fruits budding on trees throughout the region–which is why we’ve incorporated their tart, juicy and fruity fragrance into our candles celebrating the Southwest. In our citrus and sandalwood Nevada candle, you’ll find vibrant top notes of lemon and orange blended with the earthy aromas of patchouli and sandalwood. Or light our citrus and blue agave Arizona candle to surround yourself in the signature scents of this Southwest state, where hints of tangy lime and orange meet blue agave amidst the aroma of desert sand.  Our Southwestern Candles  Whether you call one of the Southwest states home, are a former resident of the region or just want to relive a family trip to the Four Corners, Homesick’s scented candles can take you there. Specially crafted with each Southwestern locale’s signature aromas, our city and state candles from this region are sure to spark memories from your favorite spots. From Nevada in the West, to the mountain peaks of Colorado, to the Arizona and New Mexico deserts on the nation’s southern border, Homesick’s scented soy candles are your ticket to a tour of the American Southwest.  Nevada Candle: Explore the trails of the Great Basin National Park, where you can escape the daytime desert heat on a spelunking trip through the Lehman Caves and bundle up during the cool nights as you admire the stars against the true dark sky. With our cactus blossom and sandalwood Nevada candle, the native scents of the Southwest meet aromas reminiscent of an outdoor adventure through this scenic state. Las Vegas Candle: A spectacle of extravagance and opulence against a desert backdrop, Las Vegas draws visitors from far and wide as a world-famous Southwestern landmark. You can test your luck at the slot machines or hit the bustling strip to enjoy the never-ending nightlife. While the saying goes, “what happens in Vegas, stays in Vegas,” the scents in our Las Vegas candle allow you to revisit the Southwestern City of Lights no matter where you are.  Lake Tahoe: Our sensory tour of Nevada continues with a stunning resort destination. The perfect getaway settled in the Sierra Nevada, skiers can enjoy fresh powder on the slopes in the winter or rent a jet ski to traverse the lake’s clear blue waters in the summer. A fresh breeze carries hints of lime blossom and pine in our Lake Tahoe candle, making for a fragrance as rejuvenating as a weekend escape in the mountains.  Arizona Candle: Home to Sedona’s brilliant red rock formations and Saguaro National Park’s conservation of the Southwest’s signature cacti, Arizona has quite a few Southwestern specialties to offer. And Homesick’s Arizona candle can bring those familiar, regional scents into your home. Top notes of citrus meld with mid notes of blue agave and sand, grounded in the outdoorsy, natural base notes of amber and musk.  Grand Canyon Candle: Spectacular views inspire a sense of awe when you visit this national gem, sculpted and etched by nature into the landscape of Arizona. Experience this natural wonder of the world with our Grand Canyon candle, where the soft, floral scents of the canyon’s wildflowers meet the warm, woody aromas from the trees that grow in the gorge.  Phoenix Candle: The next stop on our excursion through Arizona is the capital city. Although it has an urban downtown, Phoenix still offers plenty of ways to experience the Southwest’s natural scenery. Hop on a paddle board for a cruise along the Salt River, or climb Camelback Mountain for spectacular sights. The aroma of desert bush, sandalwood and lime will surround you–and that’s exactly what our Phoenix candle conveys.  New Mexico Candle: Treat yourself with a shopping spree of some local turquoise jewels and then dig into an authentic regional dish dressed in a savory, spicy New Mexican chile sauce. Fiery peppers and a toasty spice blend bring the delightful heat of Southwestern cooking to life in our chili pepper and clove New Mexico candle.  Colorado Candle: Climb to higher altitudes and nestle into the Rocky Mountains, taking in the views of stately evergreen trees and mountain peaks freshly dusted with snow. With our spruce and spice Colorado candle, you can cozy up by a roaring fire with the warmth of cinnamon, sandalwood and amber. Aspen Candle: A must-see Southwest resort town, Aspen, Colorado offers outdoor adventure 365 days a year. Visit this nature-lover’s oasis in autumn to catch the leaves changing in the valleys, or plan a winter getaway to ski where the pros do on Buttermilk Mountain. When the weather warms up, hit the trails for a hike through the Roaring Fork Valley or embark on an excursion through the vividly hued Maroon Bells mountains. The scents of juniper, balsam, oak and brisk mountain air in our Aspen candle capture every scenic season.  Utah Candle: Another Southwestern state known for its mountain retreats, in-state and out-of-state adventure seekers alike flock to Park City for skiing, snowboarding or sliding down the slopes tubing-style. Whether you’re thawing out in the ski lodge or simply looking to fill your home with a comforting fragrance, Homesick’s woodsy and spicy Utah candle is just what you need.  Evoke the Essence of the Southwest with Scent Perfect for any Southwesterner, or as a souvenir of a trip you took to the region, Homesick’s hand-poured candles successfully deliver the scents of the Southwest in sleek, modern jars that you’ll love displaying throughout your home. Here at Homesick, we craft each of our candles with natural, high-quality wax that not only lasts long–60-80 hours for our regular size jars to be exact–but burns clean and captures scent more effectively than other types of wax.  You can find candles celebrating the Southwest in many of Homesick’s collections–from our new national park and resort town candles to our classic city and state-inspired scents. So whether you’re looking for a sensory escape to a Rocky Mountain retreat, or want to experience the aromas of the Nevada desert, we have a candle to transport you there. Even if you’ve never been to this region of the U.S, you’ll still love the scents we pour into our Southwest candles. With floral cactus blossom, fresh blue agave, warm desert sand and bright citrus, harmonized with other unique local scents, every one of our candles influenced by the Southwest is a delightful aromatic adventure.

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7 Romantic Candle Scents for Your Next Date Night in

Candlelight is a tried-and-true way to set the mood for romance–just watch any classic rom-com where date nights are almost always illuminated by flickering candles and scattered with rose petals. Candles provide the perfect sensual glow for kindling a spark, but they can also surround you with scents proven to ignite attraction.  If you’re looking for a way to spice up your next date night in, light a Homesick candle layered with one of the following flirty and sensual scents, sure to inspire romance and stir up flames between you and your partner that last long after you blow out the wick.   Soft and Romantic Vanilla: A classic, lovable aroma, vanilla is a fragrance almost everyone would swipe right on.  And the age-old belief in vanilla’s aphrodisiac effects make us even more sweet on this beloved scent. Ideal for creating a soft, romantic ambiance, this subtly sugary aroma can be found paired with many other perfect date night scents in our specialty candles. Try lighting up an intimate evening with our vanilla and floral SoCal candle, with an added note of tonka bean–a similar but spicier sweet fragrance.  Toasty and Earthy Vetiver: Heat up your date night in with the warm, woody aroma of vetiver. Sourced from a grass originating in India, and related to other aromatic botanicals like lemongrass and citronella, vetiver has an earthy and smoky scent. Reminiscent of snuggling up by a crackling fire, this fragrance is guaranteed to alight attraction. Find it mingling with a mix of other romantic aromas in our orange and vetiver Nebraska candle, perfect for perfuming a night spent cozied up with your significant other.  Sugary and Indulgent Doughnuts: Surprisingly enough, the scent of this tasty, fried treat is a serious aphrodisiac, giving you all the more reason to indulge in dessert after a romantic dinner. Enjoy the syrupy aroma of this delicious confection in our doughnut, vanilla and musk Hanukkah candle, a sensual trio of scents that put the cherry on top of date night.  Fruity and Energizing Orange: Another edible aphrodisiac, the scent of this citrus fruit has also been found to inspire sparks. A bright and energizing fragrance, orange’s fruity aroma is ideal for refreshing a routine date night. Set the mood with the attraction-arousing scents in our citrus and musk Arizona candle, perfect for making even takeout and a movie a little more exciting.  Cool and Invigorating Peppermint: Looking for a scent to complement a spontaneous date night? The stimulating, mood-boosting aroma of peppermint is just what you need. Surprise your significant other with an impromptu intimate night in, perfumed with a crisp, invigorating peppermint scent. Layered with vetiver and musk, our peppermint Alaska candle is a sensory recipe for romance.  Warm and Sensual Musk: Earthy and woody, the scent of musk is innately sensual, and layers well with other fragrances. A versatile aroma, you’ll find it provides a warm and enticing foundation for other romantic scents. Incorporate our Las Vegas candle into your date night set-up, and surround yourself and your partner with stimulating peppermint and sweet tonka bean, grounded in the attractive aroma of musk. Flirty and Floral Jasmine: Evoking the romance of a surprise bouquet of flowers or the petal-scattered bedroom floors of those rom-com classics, sweet-smelling jasmine is also a well-known aphrodisiac, so much so that it’s been used to spark romance in the honeymoon suite. To kindle your own flames in the bedroom, make this fruity fragrance a part of every date night. In our citrus and floral Love candle, roses, peonies and jasmines form the perfect fragrant arrangement to share with your significant other.  Set the Scene for Romance with Scent Scent has exceptional sway over our emotions, so tapping into yours and your partner’s sense of smell is the perfect way to set the sensual mood for a date night in. Whether you’re having a chill movie night or sharing an intimate evening over a home-cooked meal, romantic candle scents can create the ideal ambiance. Homesick’s minimalist candles also make the best candles for the bedroom, lighting a spark as you snuggle up with your significant other at the end of the night. Light any one of Homesick’s date-night-ready scented candles and it’s sure to smell like love is in the air.

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How to Burn a Candle All the Way Down

So you’ve just purchased a scented candle that smells amazing and looks aesthetically-pleasing as part of your home decor. And, of course, you’ll want it to last. But how do you get the most use out of your new candle? While you might want to burn your candle all the way down to the very last speck of soy wax, you should only safely melt the wax to the last ½ inch. However, there are still tips and tricks you can use to enjoy your candle most efficiently.  Our candles are long-lasting with typical burn times between 60 and 80 hours for our regular size jars. Made with natural, plant-based wax, our high-quality candles are crafted to provide you with the best aromatic experience. Plus, they come in specialty scents you’ll want to savor.  To make the most of your Homesick candle, there are steps you can take for a smooth melt and less wasted wax. Use this guide for candle-burning best practices so you can get a few more sniffs out of your new favorite scent.  Strategically Time the First Burn Scented candles are not only great for evoking memories, but did you know that candle wax actually has a memory of its own? Wax learns to melt the same way, so the first time you light your candle’s wick, it’s important to burn it until the liquified wax creates a layer all the way around the inside of the jar. You can do this by making sure to let it burn for one hour per inch of candle diameter.  Otherwise, the candle will form a “memory ring,” meaning the wax won’t burn to the candle’s full diameter. This can lead to another candle conundrum called “tunneling”–creating a hollowed-out center in the wax. While you want to avoid tunneling so you can prolong your candle’s burn time, if you do end up with a caved-in candle, there are some solutions.  Stop Candle Tunneling in Its Tracks   As soon as you notice your candle begin to sink in the center, try one of these tricks for restoring your candle’s smooth wax surface.  One way to remedy candle tunneling is with tin foil. Secure a piece around the top of your candle, leaving an opening at the center above the wick. Then, light your candle and allow it to burn for a half-hour or so. When you unwrap the foil, your candle should be good as new. Using a hairdryer to liquefy the taller circle of wax so it melts back into the middle or carefully carving off the sides of the “tunnel” to even out the wax can also solve your candle dilemma. Tunneling can leave you with a lot of wasted wax, so fixing the problem as soon as you see it is the best way to ensure an efficient burn.  Trim Your Wick for a Steady Flame To help maintain a quality flame throughout your candle’s lifespan, you’ll want to routinely trim the wick. Bent or too-long wicks can result in uneven melting or a flickering flame, but with regular trimming, your candle will burn with a steady glow.  The wax base of your candle can also contribute to an even burn, and our scented soy candles made from natural, non-toxic soy wax provide just that. Soy candles burn clean, last long and actually capture aromas better than other wax varieties, making our candles both enduring and delightfully fragrant. Whether you’re looking to surround yourself with the scent of your home state or evoke warm memories with a nostalgic aroma, Homesick’s candles bring you the perfect fragrance blend, all while burning clear and bright.   Make Your Favorite Scents Last  Every one of Homesick’s unique scented candles is sure to please, and as soon as you take your first whiff, you’ll want to enjoy their aroma every day. That’s why we craft our candles to be high-quality and long-lasting, so you can continue to light their wicks and surround yourself with the nostalgic and comforting scents you love. And with these tips, you can make sure you make the most of your new favorite Homesick scent. 

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Why Homesick Makes the Best Candles for Gifts

Searching for gifts for the holiday season, a special occasion or just to show friends and family some extra love? You’ll want to pick out a meaningful present that your recipient will adore and enjoy every day. That’s a tall order to fill, wrap up and put a bow on, but Homesick makes giving the perfect present simple, with our assortment of great-for-gifting specialty scented candles. Our natural soy wax blend and nostalgic scents make our candles sure to bring a smile to anyone you’re shopping for, and Homesick has gifts for any season or celebration. Want to learn more about how Homesick makes the best candles for gifts? Read on for what makes our candles uniquely ideal for giving. They Make Meaningful Gifts Our candles are crafted to evoke memories and remind you of your favorite places with familiar scents. Given as gifts, they can bring your recipient back to a beloved experience you both shared. Homesick’s state candles are perfect to send to a hometown friend who has moved away as a sensory memento of where you met and the place they called home. You can also choose from one of our special moments scents that comes with a complimentary trip down memory lane. Whether you want to remind a friend of the camp you both went to every summer, or bring your family back to an annual fall trip to the apple orchard any time of year, there’s a meaningful Homesick candle to capture the memory.  They Are Long-Lasting  Homesick’s scented soy candles are hand-poured to last, so your recipient can enjoy their gift long after they unwrap it. Soy produces a natural, non-toxic wax that burns slower and melts more evenly than other wax varieties, making it the perfect base for carrying our signature scents. Our regular size candles burn for an impressive 60-80 hours, giving your recipient more chances to light the wick and savor the scent of their new favorite candle. Homesick candles really are a gift that keeps on giving, with a long-lasting fragrance anyone would be thankful for.  They Are Perfect for Men and Women  Candles are great gender-neutral gifts, especially when they’re available in an assortment of scents and packaged with a sleek, modern design. Homesick’s state and city-inspired candles make excellent presents for both men and women, and their minimalist aesthetic will work with anyone’s home decor. Our memory collection also has awesome options for ladies and gents because they’re all about the moments you shared with loved ones. Looking for a Father’s Day gift for your dad who loves to flip burgers on the barbecue grill, or commemorating your female or male friend’s first day at a new job? We have a scented candle to express affection and well wishes, and sure to be loved by anyone.  They Come in a Variety of Unique Scents  With several collections of unique scents, there’s a Homesick candle perfect for everyone you’re buying for. From our memory-inspired candles to our summery cocktail candles, we carry specialty scents you won’t find anywhere else. So whether you’re shopping for a present for a college reunion, a little something to thank the hostess with the mostest or even a gift for a gender reveal party, you can explore Homesick’s collections and find just what you’re looking for.  They Can Be Enjoyed Every Day  While we have a great selection of candles for celebrating special occasions, we also have scents made for every day. Homesick’s new daily collection candles are specifically made to become part of your day-to-day routine, with refreshing and relaxing scents your recipient will want to have burning both morning and night. Anytime you give a gift, you’ll want it to be something your loved one can enjoy every day, and the Homesick scents in every collection will have recipients lighting their wicks again and again.  Gifts That Inspire Happiness Especially with the holidays right around the corner, and with special events and occasions for gifting always popping up, you’ll want to have great gift ideas on hand. Homesick makes the best candles for gifts, and our varied assortment of scents makes it simple to find a meaningful and long-lasting scented candle perfect for any loved one you’re shopping for.  

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Pumpkin Spice and Everything Nice: These 10 Fall Candles Will Have You Ready for Sweater Weather

Anyone who’s ever crunched through a pile of multi-hued leaves or sipped warm apple cider on an October afternoon can agree that fall comes with its own unique brand of nostalgia. It transports you back to chilly autumn nights huddled in the stands at a football game or days spent searching for the perfect pumpkin in the patch. And when the aromas and flavors of fall can instantly take you on a sensory trip down memory lane, it’s no wonder that sales of autumn’s seasonal treats contribute to an over $600 million market for pumpkin spice confections. Because anyone who’s ever indulged in the guilty pleasure of sipping on a rich and creamy pumpkin spice latte can agree that this cozy coffee drink can somehow instantly evoke all the warm and fuzzy feelings of fall.  While the taste of a juicy, fresh-picked apple or a bite of a gooey, freshly baked cinnamon roll will certainly bring you back to bygone fall days, the scents of the season are just as powerful for whisking you away to your favorite autumnal experience, even if only in spirit. So no matter where you are, you can enjoy the aromas that remind you of a crisp fall hayride, sugar-coated apple cider doughnuts or long walks among the falling leaves. And all you have to do is light one of Homesick’s fall scented candles to surround yourself with that uniquely cozy nostalgia of the season.   How We Capture Fall in a Candle  So how exactly do we pour and package the essence of the season into our fall scented candles? From family trips to the apple orchard to cozy nights snuggled up by the fireplace with a steamy mug of tea, favorite fall memories are different for everyone–which is why there’s an autumn-inspired Homesick candle carefully crafted to capture each of these distinct fall experiences in a single jar. We start by thinking of all the quintessential fall activities we look forward to every year as the summer winds down and the leaves start to change, and reminiscing on those warm recollections of Septembers, Octobers and Novembers past. Then, we pinpoint those nostalgic scents that remind us of the places, people and tastes we love most about the season. Whether it’s the sweet and spicy aroma of cinnamon or the crisp, earthy smell of fall foliage, the classic scents of autumn are sure to warm you both inside and out with the comforting spirit of the season. Here are just a few of the familiar fragrances you’ll find in our favorite candles for fall. Apple: Whether it’s a crisp, ripe Red Delicious plucked straight from the branch, soft and sweet slices baked into a fresh-out-of-the-oven pie or the sugary caramel-coated variety, apples are undeniably a staple fruit of fall. So it’s no surprise that when you smell the subtle, bright sweetness of this seasonal crop, you’ll immediately recall afternoons spent among the apple trees and the delectable treats you made with your harvest.  Pumpkin: Speaking of autumn’s ubiquitous crops, it’s no secret that the most popular produce of the season by far is fall’s signature squash–the pumpkin. Fun fact: Did you know that this vibrant orange gourd is actually a fruit? Its botanical category aside, though, there’s no denying the pumpkin’s versatility as not only a tasty ingredient but the perfect autumn decor, as well. Enjoy the flavors of pumpkin in your morning cup of Joe, carve a couple to serve some spooky Halloween vibes or treat yourself to a slice of creamy pumpkin pie. Better yet, sit back, cozy up on the couch and light your favorite pumpkin spice candle to instantly indulge in this quintessential fall fragrance.  Cinnamon: Spicy, warm and inviting, the scent of cinnamon feels synonymous with fall. Sprinkled over a toasty baked apple or enjoyed in a hot mug of tea, this flavorful spice reminds us of coming home and snuggling up after a brisk, fall day–which is why we layered it into nearly every one of our fall scented candles. You can simply flick a match to transform your space into a homey fall oasis with the cozy aroma of cinnamon.  Nutmeg: A member of the pumpkin pie spice family, nutmeg goes hand in hand with many of the other aromatic spices that evoke our favorite fall memories. This nutty spice in particular has a warmth to it that reminds us of that first sip of a pumpkin spice latte on a cool fall morning. But even if you don’t have time to swing by your go-to coffee shop for your autumn-spiked concoction, the notes of nutmeg in many of our fall favorite candles will leave you with that same toasty feeling.   Clove: Another essential seasoning in a perfect pumpkin pie spice blend, this deeply flavorful and aromatic spice might call to mind the heat and sweetness of mulled cider or chai tea. Bold and energizing, the smell of cloves is the perfect scent to wake up to on a fall morning.  Vanilla: Vanilla is one of those universally welcoming scents. With its light, sweet fragrance, it’s not only a familiar and happy aroma everyone can enjoy, but it also pairs well with other fragrances. This makes it perfect for blending into many of our candles and, particularly, our candles that capture fall in a jar. Layered with notes of cinnamon and apple, it may evoke memories of your mom’s beloved baked goods, while mixed with maple and sandalwood, it may take you back to an autumn road trip among Vermont’s changing leaves.  Hay: Is any fall complete without a ride through the apple orchards or pumpkin patch, perched on a bale of hay and a cool autumn breeze in the air? We infused the sweet, earthy smell of hay into a few of our fall candles, so you can enjoy this nostalgic scent and escape to memories of hay rides spent cozied up in a blanket, a cup of cider in hand. Our Favorite Candles for Fall  No matter what you enjoy most about the season, whether it’s the limited-edition fall flavors or the traditions that bring you right back to your childhood, we’ve found a balanced blend of scents to fill each of our hand-poured fall candles created to carry you away to your perfect autumn day–anytime, anywhere.  Pumpkin Patch: Take a quick trip to the pumpkin patch with this perfect fall candle, fused with all the fragrances that remind you of adventures among the bright orange gourds. Vibrant notes of lemon and nutmeg meld into the classic autumn aromas of ginger, cinnamon, clove and, of course, pumpkin. Rounding out with base notes of vanilla and sugar, you’ll not only recall spotting the perfect soon-to-be jack-o’-lantern, but the warm, sweet apple cider and doughnuts you rewarded yourself with afterward.  Grandma’s Kitchen Candle: After a brisk fall day frolicking in the abundant piles of freshly fallen leaves, there was nothing more comforting than warming up in grandma’s kitchen, with the smell of sweet homemade confections filling the whole house. As a thank you to all the grandmothers who made everything they baked with love, we set out to capture the warmth of their hugs and the joy that they bring in this apple cinnamon candle. With the aroma of rich butter, toasty cloves and syrupy sugar, we created a candle that feels like grandma’s home.  Boston Candle: Reminiscent of walking along the Charles River Esplanade while sipping a spicy, chai tea latte, this cinnamon and tea Boston candle conveys the essence of a September day in this New England city. While a base note of musk lends an outdoorsy aroma to the candle, the bright scents of orange, cinnamon and ginger make this city’s fragrance particularly perfect for fall. And, of course, you can’t forget the top note of tea in a city well-known for it’s very famous Tea Party. New Hampshire Candle: When a state’s official fruit is the pumpkin, you know it has to be an optimal fall destination. Escape to a fall day in New Hampshire with an autumnal apple cider candle, layered with seasonal scents like apple, cinnamon, cider, hay and vanilla. Cozy up with these nostalgic, comforting aromas and you’ll practically be able to taste the warm cider on your lips.  Friday Night Football: Grab your popcorn, find your friends in the bleachers and cheer on your team on this cool, autumn Friday night. The smell of the grass on the field, the cedar wood stands and that classic buttery concession snack puts you right in the crowd, roaring with your fellow fans for every touchdown.  New York Candle: While the Adirondacks are a scenic region year round, there may be no better time to visit this pocket of the Empire State than autumn. And a fall getaway is just a match away with this fall-inspired New York candle. With a base note of earthy musk evocative of the plentiful foliage, a mid note of river to bring to mind the breathtaking bodies of water throughout the region and a top note of apple peel, you can enjoy an aromatic exploration of autumn in Upstate New York.  Apple Orchard: After an afternoon spent strolling through the orchards, searching for the ripest and juiciest apples of them all, your basket is overflowing with the sweet, crisp fruit. Now, what to make with all these apples? Mix with mandarin leaf for a hint of citrus, sprinkle in cloves and cinnamon for a little spice, add in pomegranate for a touch of tartness and finish off with sugar. That’s what we did with our Apple Orchard candle and the result is a recipe for delight.   Vermont Candle: Ideal for anyone who grew up in the Green Mountain State or anyone looking to embark on a sensory exploration of Vermont’s vibrant fall foliage, this sweet and botanical Vermont Candle will instantly transport you there. Earthy aromas of eucalyptus, amber and sandalwood meet sweet notes of vanilla, maple and baked pie. Together, these scents mingle to evoke an autumn day well-spent in this picturesque New England state. Syracuse Candle: What makes this college town a must-see city during fall? There’s the Great New York State Fair, an annual extravaganza of agriculture and entertainment that marks the transition from summer to the early days of fall. There are crowds packing into the stands for a football game at the city’s namesake university. And, of course, there’s orange abound, a signature color of the season. In a cozy fall candle devoted to an autumn in Syracuse, you’ll find all the scents of sweater weather, including apple peel, cinnamon, pumpkin and hay.  Road Trip: Looking to take in all the sights of the season, cruise among the colorful leaves and stop in undiscovered towns for impromptu autumn adventures? It’s time to take a road trip. And in our Road Trip candle, you’ll find the familiar scent of worn-in leather seats, the smell of cedar wood as the trees pass by outside the open window and the warm, honeyed aroma of amber that feels uniquely fall.  Experience the Scents of Fall All Year Long  We’ve filled each of our fall scented candles with a custom blend of fragrances specially crafted to evoke the memories, feelings and experiences we love about the season. Our collection of hand-poured, autumnal candles are the perfect way to retreat to a fall state of mind, no matter what month the calendar reads. Find the fall-inspired Homesick candles that remind you of all your favorite parts of the season and enjoy these nostalgic scents that can keep that warm and cozy fall feeling alive all year long. 

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