Jo Malone candles and MIL.

[Flatdeadfrog]

I've name changed as details are a little bit outing as I've talked to friends about this.

My MIL is a bit of a scented candle aficionado and can be a bit precious about the types of scented candles she'll have in the house. That's fair enough, as you like what you like. BUT for mothers day, she has specified she wants a new scented candle for her hall.

DH likes to oblige his mum as she's actually lovely, but his default is to just buy an expensive Jo Malone candle. We don't actually have a Jo Malone budget, as we are feeling the pinch as I am on maternity leave and we're struggling a bit financially because of it.

DH and I have had an argument about it tonight, as I feel that MIL would be upset to think that we're spending our weekly food budget on an expensive candle (and frankly I think it's a waste), but DH really wants to get something nice for his mum. MIL loves scented candles, but something cheaper like a Yankee candle would just be shoved to the back of the cupboard.

AIBU to think MIL can do without a candle this year? Or can anybody recommend anything nice scent/candle wise that wouldn't get wasted like a Yankee candle would?

MIL is lovely, she would be appalled at the idea we'd spent our weekly food shop on a candle, but DH can't see past getting his mum a gift for mothers day and getting what she's asked for.

Tell dh he is free to sell some of his personal items to pay for it but family money is for food right now.
He wants the glory and isn't thinking about the jam and bread he will be getting for a week is he?

What candles does she like? There are loads of more budget friendly ones out there… is it jo malone or nothing?

I love a JoMalone candle but I have recently been buying the Aldi dupes. They are fantastic and cost pennies compared to the Jo Malone ones. Get her one of them.

The Next ones are lovely. And Sainsburys do some great ones too.

Buy an Aldi one

The Zara ones by Jo Loves ie Jo Malone are much cheaper and just as good.

Aldi candles are amazing or if you have a bit more to splash, Beauty Pie do beautiful candles too.

White Company are quite a lot cheaper but still have a similar aesthetic. Not “cheap” exactly though.

As long as he knows he has to spend the same amount on you for your Mother's Day!!!! Bunch of daffs are just perfect x

Pecksniffs candles in TK Maxx are great and it's an English company. Don't go hungry for the sake of a candle.

Homesense/ TK Maxx is sooo good for candles at low prices.

Go in and have a good sniff 🤣

Try someone like Wonky Candles. You are supporting a young disabled man in his business, prices are low, and they are very strongly scented.

Just had a quick look on the site to see what you were up against... £50-65 for a 200g candle! Yeah she can do without her expensive candle if you haven't the budget...

How about this? Smaller £25...
www.lookfantastic.com/jo-malone-london-pomegranate-noir-travel-candle-60g/12079188.html?affil=thggpsad&switchcurrency=GBP&shippingcountry=GB&thg_ppc_campaign=71700000088329921&adtype=&product_id=12079188&gclid=CjwKCAiAyPyQBhB6EiwAFUuako3LCrVVlEWxA2Y06EsraydsdLZrdFngtxfOfWgAPuqzpobferPuWhoCg_4QAvD_BwE&gclsrc=aw.ds

I mean, if that’s what she likes, an Aldi candle is going to end up at the charity shop isn’t it? How about Sy Eval? These are really lovely and might be more acceptable than the basic supermarket/ Yankee candle.

I'm really picky about candles and wouldn't thank anyone for a scented candle I'd not chosen - it's not about price (though cheaper ones have a higher likelihood of smelling horrible), it's about having sniffed them and knowing they won't be headache-inducing.

But I think 1) it's rude to specify what you want as a gift, unless pressed, 2) it's weird to demand a present for mothering Sunday, unless there's quite some family history there, and 3) no reasonable person wants you to spend money earmarked for essentials on fripperies.

There are loads of lovely ones about, especially the Aldi ones but please don't buy her a Yankee!

@mamaoffourdc

As long as he knows he has to spend the same amount on you for your Mother's Day!!!! Bunch of daffs are just perfect x

And YY, this!

White company or zara both have lovely scents

I like The Botanical Candle company. Not super cheap but way less expensive than JM and lovely scents.

I'm not sure that an Aldi candle (however nice it is) really cuts it as a Mother's Day gift. There seems to be a good choice on T K Maxx under £15, or stick with a bunch of flowers if you or your husband are seeing her in person.

Somebody bought me a Jo Malone candle once, and cured me of them - not worth the money at all!

Don’t bother with the Aldi candles; they are in no way comparable with a decent candle.
There are decent alternatives to Jo Malone. How much are you wanting DH to spend?

Definitely agree with going to TK.Maxx,

/ Homesense

White company!