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.

Suggest to him that he does the candle admin and doesn’t use family food money for it.

@Hawkmoth

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

Thanks for the tip. I’ve just ordered a couple of Wonky Candles 👍🏻

Plum and Ashby candles are lovely.

What about an independent? I buy the most amazing candles for £15 for a large one.

Try a White Company candle? Seychelles is divine and they're not JM prices but better than Yankee

If your MIL likes Jo Malone then the Zara candles made by Jo Malone would be fine.

And far far cheaper. And you can tell her about your budget too.

I feel like I’ve just stumbled across a parallel universe where Yankee Candles are cheap and nasty ! In my world they’re flipping expensive

My new favourites are St Eval candles. They are beautifully scented and hold their fragrance. I particularly like the bay and rosemary, and the orange, clove and cinnamon one called 'inspiritus'. They're a lot less expensive than Jo Malone but don't have that chemical tang you can get with some brands. I think they are v good quality.

Was literally just going to recommend the Jo Malone x Zara candle. They are great for the price. I would buy this and wax lyrical (pun intended!) about how Jo Malone it is

Bath and Body Works triple wick candles (American company but you can now buy them from Next online) the scents carry so far! Not the cheapest but half the price of Jo Malone ones!

Valentte. Brilliant candles, beautiful scents. All wax used up.

@pandora206

Another vote for St Eval candles. I love the Bay and Rosemary but they are all lovely and have quite an upmarket aesthetic in packaging, etc.

I third this. They are lovely. Love the Reed diffusers too.

@Flatdeadfrog how much does he spend on you for Mother’s Day? I would just get her a card and some flowers. She’s being rude and grabby.

What about some nice smelly stuff from The White Company? They’ve often got a sale on their smelly stuff, you could get a lovely hand lotion set or some scented drawer things or something. Don’t get the Jo Malone candle op.

@Mistressiggi

I don't think a man wanting to buy nice things for his mother is anything to be annoyed about. Of course we don't know your financial situation - if you are on the breadline that's different. But wanting to show his mum his appreciation of her, that's not a negative.

Usually I would agree but £50 for a candle is like burning money 💰.

@GreenFlipFlop

Bath and Body Works triple wick candles (American company but you can now buy them from Next online) the scents carry so far! Not the cheapest but half the price of Jo Malone ones!

I was going to suggest them too. But was afraid they'd be seen as cheap and nasty, like Yankee!

@SarahAndQuack

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.

I totally agree that it's exceptionally rude to 'demand' a specific present unless you're asked and then you take the circumstances of the giver into consideration.

White company and Neom . Same league . Not cheap but comparable for fragrance.
If aroma and fragrance her thing , I would consider hand wash as an alternative . Molton Brown a recognisable high end idea. If you really are at a low end budget, No 3 from Aldi a fantastic hand wash but the candle, not so good.

You can get Jo Maline candles a bit cheaper on Amazon (I.e. from about £37).

www.amazon.co.uk/Candles-Jo-Malone-Holders/s?c=ts&ts_id=3028549031&keywords=Candles&rh=n%3A3028549031%2Cp_4%3AJo+Malone&tag=mumsnetforu03-21

I’m very picky with candles
Try Lit candles or Plum and Ashby they are cheaper (and better than) Jo malone IMO

I would look at other shops; I like next and M&S candles. What I most definitely wouldn't do is buy a Yankee candle. Not even for a frenemy and especially for someone who is a candle aficionado. They really are abominable ugly things with weird smells.

Try Select Aroma, the only ones I buy now, ethical, great value, 20% off for newbies. I don’t like how the Jo Malone brand has gone.
www.selectaroma.com

Some people really feel valued by being given presents, I’m the total opposite but know plenty who do and I don’t think they mean any harm, it’s just their thing.

Check out The Botanical Candle Company. Soy hand poured candles made by a small independent company in Dorset. They will package them up in a lovely gift box. Lots of interesting fragrances.

You can buy artisan (or at least artisan looking) candles for a fraction of the price of a Jo Malone.

Look at the TK Maxx ones, they're nice. And if your MIL is as lovely as you say, she won't complain at a cheaper one.