Candles & Candleholders

Candles have long been go-to gifts for myriad occasions, thanks to the calming ambience of their warm, flickering glows. Available in a wide variety of colors, shapes, and sizes, candles make amazing pieces of decor that can set the mood at the dinner table, on a mantle, in an entryway – and almost anywhere.

It’s all too easy to find candles on sale during the holiday season, but the search for high-quality, design-forward candles – and, for that matter, candle holders – is a much narrower path. So, where to buy candles that will measure up to the standards of your design-savvy loved ones? This holiday season, consider candle gifts from HAY – shop uniquely twisted taper candles, candy-colored glass candle holders, and more. These relaxing gifts will encourage friends and family alike to linger at the dinner table a little longer, draw a bath, or curl up with loved ones, enjoying the soft glow of fire light. Read on to discover HAY’s guide to giving the best candle gifts.

Types of Candles & Candleholders

Pillar candle or taper candle? Scented or unscented? Candle shapes and options abound, but don’t be overwhelmed by the choices. Instead, take a deep dive into the different types of waxes, candles, and candle holders.

Paraffin and soy wax are the most commonly used types of wax for candles. Both are available in different melting points, making them suitable for different types of candles, from votives to candlesticks. Not surprisingly, soy wax is derived from soy beans, making it a more natural alternative to petroleum-derived paraffin wax.

Scented candles are crafted by blending aromatic oils with wax. When lighted, the candle’s perfume is diffused, producing a pleasant fragrance. As their name suggests, taper candles are tall and slender candles that get narrower toward the wick. To secure a taper candle in a taper candlestick holder, apply a small amount of wax adhesive to the bottom of the candle. Pillar candles are named for their columnal shape. These are best suited for use in lanterns or hanging candle holders. Spiral candles and twisted candles are contemporary candlesticks that offer a – well, twist – on traditional taper candle shapes, with compelling ridges that catch the flame’s glow and shine like hard candy.

A modern candle holder is equally functional and decorative. Arrange modern candle holders individually or in multiples throughout the home – on a dining table, console table, or even a bathroom counter. Depending on the type, a decorative candle holder may hold tall candles, votive candles, or both.

HAY Candles & Candleholders

HAY offers a breadth of candles, including conical taper candles, twisted taper candles, and even spiral candlesticks in a range of colors. Gift a HAY candle set with a pair of colored glass candle holders or go for a sculptural HAY pillar candle. Complete the gift with a pair of wick trimmers, a snuffer, or a box of long matches.