Choosing the Right Scented Candle

March 24th, 2008

Choosing scented candles for yourself or a gift is not as easy as it seems. Sometimes you may get “scented out” by too many scents and not pick any. Being overwhelmed by scents, especially at a candle store or booth is common. See if there are any coffee beans to neutralize your scent buds, it works like crackers to your taste buds. Now you’re ready to sniff some more.

Choose scents you are familiar with. Sometimes we waste precious time and scent buds by “trying out” some scents that we know we’ll hate. I do not like patchouli by itself, so why would I smell it again? There are so many scents out there to explore. On the other hand, be daring and try different smells that you’ve never heard of.

Decide where is the scented candle going? Living room, bedroom, kitchen. This often can decide on the scent. I choose fruits or herbs for the kitchen, and soft florals for living room. Another wonderful choice is an ocean scent for the bathroom.

If this is a gift for a friend, try to think what the he or she may like, not just you. Over and over again I see people buying candles for other people with scents that they like themselves. Are they hoping that the friend will give it back to them so that they can enjoy it?

Go for quality, not necessarily the packaging. I’ve seen so many wonderful candles being passed by for the more expensive, cooler packaged candle. Candle crafters make high quality candles, sometimes in little or no packaging experience.

Freshness counts. When was this candle made? How will the scent hold up? Buying a candle that has been faded by the sun, or buried in a box for three years will burn differently from one that was made last week. Get to the know the per who makes the candle, or the re-seller for more information on the candle itself.

I hope this has helped you choose the right candle, and remember, the more educated you are, the better choice you’ll make.

Don Stevens is a consumer writer and co-owner of Wick-edly Sent Soap and Scented Soy Candles Company in the Finger Lakes of Upstate New York.

Entry Filed under: General Crafts