Urgent advice please - would this gift offend you?

[AlexaShutUp]

I bought a lovely aromatherapy soy wax candle for a friend, nice packaging etc. I have only just noticed though, that it has quite a prominent statement on the top of the box (the only writing on the top) which says:

Freshen your home with this uplifting and zesty blend to neutralise lingering odours

I had not noticed this when I bought it but it now really stands out. If someone gave this to you, would you think that they were saying your house stinks and so you need to neutralise lingering odours? Friend is a smoker if it makes any difference, and I am not, but I have never noticed any hint of a bad smell in her house so I'm definitely not trying to make a point!

Please tell me honestly, would this offend you or am I overthinking it? Wondering if I need to get another pressie instead...

I’d definitely be worried my home smelled bad, especially if I smoked.

Hmmmm.... I would wonder if you were trying to tell me something, yes.

wouldnt bother me, ex smoker

Yep, me too sorry. Can you put something over it, maybe a label so you can't read it?

It wouldn't offend me at all. You didnt notice it immediately but I think the general anxiety in the air might be making you overthink it now.
Unless your friend has form for being offended?

Cut off the top of the box.

(Yes, I'd be a bit offended!)

I did once buy my 10 year old niece a bath bomb set and when I read the description label one of them said "make you feel sensual and seductive". I just cut it off.

Is your friend likely to take offensive? I wouldn’t give it a second thought, but judging by most of the comments others might.

Wouldn't bother me. You know your friend, is she the type to get offended?

Just take it off.

Could you wrap the candle in nice tissue paper and use a gift bag rather than the box?

Or could you be honest and say something like... "bought this because I thought you'd love it, then I saw the sentence on the top, please don't worry as I don't think your home needs 'freshening up' at all"!

Thanks all for your responses. Mixed, but I think the general consensus is that it's potentially offensive! Friend isn't especially sensitive but Christmas is a difficult time for her, for various reasons, and this year will be harder than most, so I don't want to risk upsetting her.

Don't think I can cut the box without ruining the look of it, but a sticker might work - will see what I can find, but failing that, I'll have to find something else!

No. I wouldn't even notice. I'd think "oooh lovely!" when I opened it as I am a big fan of scented candles.

“Nice smelling stuff” is the universally understood “I can’t be bothered to think of a personal gift for you” type present so I don’t think she’ll take offence as it’s a pretty big-standard gift.

Yes, presenting the candle differently might work. Will have a think...

Can you return and get either a reed diffuser or another style without the big sign on it?

Some people get offended by toiletries or perfume as gifts (saying they smell/need to wash etc), so who knows how she'd take it. I'd swap it for something else or keep it yourself.

I'm quite tempted to keep it for myself tbh!

Depends, do I like candles?

@Dyrne Wow, that's a cheery take on things. Some people really love candles and smellies, so it isn't always a 'can't be bothered' gift.

Can you return and get -

This is not good advice four days before Christmas!

@Dyrne

“Nice smelling stuff” is the universally understood “I can’t be bothered to think of a personal gift for you” type present so I don’t think she’ll take offence as it’s a pretty big-standard gift.

Rude. Some people enjoy scented candles (myself included) and love getting them as gifts!

I'm actually really surprised by all the potentially offended people. You bought her a lovely scented candle. It' snot your fault that the marketing/packaging of that candle comes with a rather silly message. I mean, it's not like you thought - "right, her house smells, must not only find a solution but also find a candle that is specifically for getting rid of bad smells".

Maybe just say to her you didn’t notice the message but you still wanted to give her it because it’s a lovely candle. If anything it would just make me laugh!

No SpaceOp, you're right, that definitely wasn't my thought process but don't want to offend. I know she likes scented candles, so not worried about that angle...just the stupid packaging!

I'm going to try to find a sticker!

@AlexaShutUp

No SpaceOp, you're right, that definitely wasn't my thought process but don't want to offend. I know she likes scented candles, so not worried about that angle...just the stupid packaging!

I'm going to try to find a sticker!

Based on this thread, it's clear that there IS potential to offend but I have to admit, I find it bizarre. My solution is to remove it from the packaging and wrap it in nice tissue paper.

🤔 I'm not sure as I am not a smoker. Personally I find every smokers house I have been in smell like giant ashtrays.
It could be seen as passive aggressive. How well do know her?