Love Notes makes several different candles, but the limited-edition Grace holiday candle is our top pick. The packaging is festive and weighty, and a playlist is included to set the mood. It seems like a lot of holiday scents are predictable blends of cinnamon, cloves, and gingerbread that can get old quickly. Grace is holiday-themed, yet it wouldn’t be out of place during any other season. It smells like pomegranate and pine, with a hint of spicy woods from the pepper, mint, and sandalwood.
The glass container has a chrome finish, so when you’re done burning the candle, you’ll be left with something a bit nicer than the typical clear cylinder you’d find with some other brands.
★ Another Candle Company: Cavo Candles are vegan and made from 100 percent soy wax. They ship sustainably, complete with biodegradable packing peanuts. The best part, though, is just how relatable the candle names are. After a Good Cry smells like the embodiment of finally dragging yourself out of bed after spending a day feeling melancholy. Not too cheerful, but just cheerful enough, with notes of rainwater, lavender, vanilla, and bourbon. It’s optimistic but not pushy.
