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.

White company- still good and a decent amount but not JM money!

To answer your question. You are absolutely not being unreasonable! Explain to her, she will understand and if she’s kind would never want you to spend this if you don’t have it right now!

Why not get from a gorgeous artisan candle company. It's not just Jo Malone or Yankee.

I get an iggy box which is a candle subscription each month so have discovered so many lovely companies.

iggybox.co.uk/shop/

@ghostyslovesheets

TK Maxx - I love Sand and Fog candles - got a beautiful one recently - huge - 4 wicks - £13 - it's lasted 2 weeks so far and smells lovely - also looks posh!

I LOVE sand and fog - their lemony citrus ones are amazing

@MyDcAreMarvel

and frankly I think it's a waste), but DH really wants to get something nice for his mum. so basically you are snobby about candles, I don’t like them either but I wouldn’t try and stop my dh buying a lovely present for his mum.

No. She's right. Jo Malone money is ridiculous for a candle. Even more so if you can't afford it

DH likes to oblige his mum as she's actually lovely, but his default is to just buy an expensive Jo Malone candle

I misread that MIL had specified a Jo Malone. But it's not her - it's him. So just speak to him about budgets. Is your Mum around? How much will you spend on her?

If money is tight then its worth talking to each other about budgets.

I get mine from here glassandwick.com/collections/signature-collection-candles

Lovely scents

If she loves Jo Malone - the Aldi ones would be an insult, and don't go near Yankee - they are atrocious.

White Company are good and much cheaper. But honestly - if you're skint, your mil should be sensitive to this and be insisting that you buy her nothing at all.

I live in a cold old house and I love a lovely smelly candle on a cold dark night. This is my favourite company atm (for everything not just the candles). Coast is my current candle du jour 😁 . A GBP20 candle burns for a good number hours and the packaging is lovely.
ourlovelygoods.com/pages/about

Thank you all, sorry I got tied up with bathing oldest DD. To answer a few questions, sorry if I miss anyone;

I'm trying to be generous about MIL. She's on her own, comfortably off and doesn't worry about money. So to her, it's a reasonable request. albeit a grabby one There is an element of family history, in that DH panders to his mother because he feels guilty that he isn't there all the time.

She specifically hates "cheaper" candles like Yankee or supermarket ones, as I think a) they're quite strong and b) snobbery value of the "brand". I think she likes the idea of it being bespoke and "artisan".

To answer a PP, DH has an expensive gin taste/habit, which is fine when we have the money coming in, but not at the moment.

I'm going to have to get her a bloody candle (yes, it will be me sourcing it and wrapping it) but it won't be a Jo Malone one. There are some great ideas, thank you.

An M&S candle would be just as nice or a good place for a large, decent candle on a budget is in TK Maxx. I like candles, will buy them from a supermarket if they're nice but find Yankee candles are too pungent and not great for what you get for the price.

We love the crackling wick Wood Wick ones. No idea if they are naff or posh or what, but the Fireside and other woody scents are lovely and the crackle is very soothing.

Partylite are good too

White Company candles are lovely and half the price of Jo Malone.

Or you could see if anyone has an unwanted jo Malone on Ebay. There's time before Mother's Day.

@MyDcAreMarvel

and frankly I think it's a waste), but DH really wants to get something nice for his mum. so basically you are snobby about candles, I don’t like them either but I wouldn’t try and stop my dh buying a lovely present for his mum.

No, I like candles like anyone else, I just don't think it's appropriate to spend a weekly food shop on one for someone else when we don't have the money.

Go for the smaller businesses, they are far superior to a lot of high end candles as they really care about their customers and quality. A few off the top of my head are
Linfit candles
White light candles
They are experienced chandlers that test , test , test and know their stuff rather than the rubbish that is created via machinery
Alternatively look at the likes of Etsy and read reviews. Once you have bought off a proper chandler that lives and breathes candles you never go back

@DillDanding

If she loves Jo Malone - the Aldi ones would be an insult, and don't go near Yankee - they are atrocious.

White Company are good and much cheaper. But honestly - if you're skint, your mil should be sensitive to this and be insisting that you buy her nothing at all.

Doing pretty well for selling something so atrocious aren't they Yankee Candle 🙄

As a fellow candle snob I recommend:
Neom (has some on sale currently)
Espa
Temple Spa
Elemis
White Company

These all have candles cheaper than Jo Malone but would be considered high end brands and look nice on display as well as smell nice. The White Company do lovely gift wrapping if it's the appearance of things that your MIL appreciates (I know Jo Malone also have lovely gift bags and ribbons so White Company could be a good option to replicate this?)

[quote doadeer]Why not get from a gorgeous artisan candle company. It's not just Jo Malone or Yankee.

I get an iggy box which is a candle subscription each month so have discovered so many lovely companies.

iggybox.co.uk/shop/[/quote]
Oh these are also a beautiful company
lumosapothecary.com

Another vote for White Company. I like their Cassis and Winter ones for Christmas but another scent is probably more appropriate this time of year.

If you want to spend less than Jo Malone but still get MIL something a bit special, Espa candles are good and on offer on Lookfantastic at the moment. With discounts about £28 (RRP £37) and free delivery over £25. About half what you will pay for Jo Malone.

@Luredbyapomegranate

St Eval - good value - handmade in Cornwall

Yes, st eval totally gorgeous smells. I prefer them to Jo Malone and find the scent is longer lasting. But then I don't rate jo malone and prefer Diptyque or Cire Truden.

Anyone who knows the JM scents will hate Aldi dupes as they are completely different and dreadful.

I find Jo Malone too overpowering personally. I got a lovely one (and I don’t really like them anyway), from sainsburys (it was a present). It wasn’t a sainsburys make, but was more modern looking and may not have the look she’s going for. But, something like this is nice
www.sainsburys.co.uk/gol-ui/product/candles---home-fragrance/sainsburys-home-luxury-neroli---sweet-amber-scented-candle-with-lid-133622364-p

But if she’s got her heart set on a particular one, then maybe get her something completely different so she won’t compare?

Buy a large scented incense. stick set from Rituals. People always ask me what that lovely smell is - 1/2 the price but still a posh brand - top end hotels use them