To ask if £50 on a candle is worth it?

[Dishwashersaurous]

Close friends milestone birthday is coming up this month. Years ago we had all agreed that we would have a spa day for her birthday.

Obviously that is not an option at the moment and we can't even book for the future as don't know when spas will be open.

So I wanted send her something to recreate the spa at home experience. About £50 budget.

She's really into luxury skin brands etc . I'm not and therefore a bit shocked by some of the prices.

So is a neom candle at £50 worth it, or is there something just as good and nasty expensive.

Just feel like sending only a candle doesn't seem like much

@combatbarbie

If you got me a Jo Malone or equivalent candle complete with packaging I would be over the moon. It's a luxury that we wouldn't normally spend on ourselves isn't it, isn't that part of the logic behind gifts? (unless there is something I need, in which case I'll say...)

I completely agree. I’m not into candies or skincare, but surely the best kind of gift is something the recipient would really like, but would never buy for themselves.

I’d much rather have a £50 candle than 5 things worth £10 that I’d bin or take to the charity shop, which you wouldn’t think twice about buying.

But spa days are different things to different people. Mine involves lots of lazing around in hot bubbly water, preferably outside and in the sun, with cocktails and snacks, a nice lunch.

No treatments or candles required.

Diptique candles are a bit of luxury. I like candles and have had white company - although nice they don't compare. I would go with Diptique.

It would be wasted on me and I'd be disappointed to have a £50 gift that was so pointless (to me), but I think if she's into expensive candles, then one really good one is a lovely present, much better than more cheaper stuff.

If you know she would like it - yes.

I felt so guilty because a friend bought me a very expensive candle and I couldn’t bear the fragrance - struggled to breathe - so had to get rid of it. She’d seen a different ‘flavour’ of the same brand in my house and thought it was a good gift.

Neom are gorgeous and last for ages. However, if you aren't sure if she loves luxury candles I'd buy the small one and buy something with it. They do some lovely gift sets or make up your own and get it boxed - they look lovely when boxed. I've been using Neom products for years and yet to have anything which wasn't great!

The shopping channels on TV do lovely skin care boxes half price worth looking.i got a lovely £100 one for Xmas for £50. My candle of choice is diptique so beautifully wrapped and boxed and the smell is amazing.

The point isn’t really that some people don’t like candles, the point is that people should be more thoughtful of what that recipient likes when they have £50 to play with. I know loads of people that don’t really like candles, but they’d still much rather have 1 nice £50 gift, than multiples of tat.

You’re often safer finding out what brand they liked and buy them a voucher.

From the receiver of many Toilet duck Yankee candles over the years from people who know i “like candles”

I buy myself a Diptyque candle a couple of times a year as a treat, the smell really lasts! I never thought I would pay £50 for a candle but they are leagues above Yankee in terms of smell!

I always buy my SIL a candle for her birthday each year. Jo malone, neom or similar. Neither of us would ever in a million years but one for ourselves, but really appreciate them as a gift. Neom did good offers in December - I bought a candle and got a box of 4 x 30ml hand creams free.

My all time favourite is diptyque- the figueuer one. Baies also very popular, and the jasmine is really lovely too.

I love White Company candles and would be massively pleased - in the end, if SHE would like it, its a good present.

I wouldn't. Its just a candle at the end of the day. And they are by the dozen.
This seems impersonal but I would get her the voucher to do so which she pleases.

Candle all the way! Whether or not SHE can justify £50 on it is irrelevant really - she'll appreciate being indulged by someone else for her bday. That's the point, surely!

Yes to the White Company - for your £50 you could get the £20 signature one, plus a large reed diffuser, or mini tea lights in the same scent. There are a few gifting options too for £35.

OR you can get a big Bertha 3-wick for £60. They last ages and look very substantial. Quite often you can find a discount code online or by subscribing.

My favourite scents are Seychelles, Lime & Bay, Cassis. I'm jealous of your friend!

Well my lovely friend bought me this for my birthday at the weekend. I doubt it cost £50. Neither of us would spend that on a candle! Mine smells amazing and I love it that it is has pineapple as she knows how much I love Gadbys Pineapple Creams ☺️

Neom candles are amazing!! Pricey but so worth it in my opinion. I get them as gifts sometimes and splurge the very odd time. They're fab!

OP you can get Neom from TK Maxx sometimes so I would consider other brands. That type of candle brand is not worth £50 though. Brands like Diptyque or Byredo are better for high end candles.

Be careful of buying cheap scented candles as they can contaminate the air with dangerous particles. Aim for a decent quality one with a beeswax base.

I’d love a gift like that. It’s not everyone’s idea of a great present and it’s extremely extravagant, but it certainly would be mine and better than a heap of tat, a T-shirt or mug with an “amusing” slogan, or a glittery glass with something about gin on it.

The Gingerlily candles from Molton Brown are divine! And once in a while, L’Artisan Parfumeur have really knockdown sales, worth waiting for so you can have a few fancy candles in a gift stash.

I usually get Jo Malone or White Company candles as a Christmas present. Not only are they divine, they last so much longer than £6 candles from the likes of Sainsbury's etc.

I think the three wick White Co candle has an 80 hour burn time?

I'm always amazed that on Mumsnet no-one likes Yankee Candles, yet in real life the Yankee shop in my local town is always busy.

Personally I would make up a hamper with a cheaper candle, some tea lights, maybe body lotion etc - I personally buy Aldi candles, they smell good and cost a fraction of these branded ones

I do like diptique as well as jo malone & white company. The one I posted upthread of jo malone - the Lily of the valley is gorgeous.

I hate, absolutely hate, receiving cheaper candles.

Neóm candles are brilliant. Definitely worth it!

I'd be over the moon with that. If you were all going to get her a spa day then maybe a candle from you, facial and body treats from someone else, a nice robe slippers etc to make up a full spa experience?

I love candles and wax melts, Yankee for me is a real treat and I give them as gifts to other people I know who like candles, now I am worried I am giving naff gifts with how many people are saying they dislike Yankee! They are top of my budget and have always felt like a luxury to me!

If someone got me one of the high end brands mentioned here I would be so so pleased, but as others have said you need to be careful about the scent, I am quite particular as certain scents give me a headache.