1. Scent-Scaping: By adding candles of a similar scent family throughout your home, you create a journey into each space. A relaxing floral may be great for your bedroom while a citrus may suit your office for focus and attention. 

2. Decorating: Candles don’t have to be lit to make an impact. Place tapers throughout your space for a sophisticated look. Opt for tiny tapers or colored ones for added creativity and depth. A bonus is whether lit or unlit, if your candle has a strong throw, you will still smell it.  

3. Consider your vessel: You can decorate with jar candles by considering your vessel and/or wax color. Create pops of color throughout your home with colored candle vessels or opt for a monochromatic look by purchasing one that is a similar color to each room. Don’t forget, you can also place your jar candle in a decorative holder too. 

4. Aromatherapy: Scents create memories, but also evoke them. Use fragrance to bring yourself to a calming place or remember a nostalgic memory. Baked cookie candle anyone?  

5. Holiday Fun: As the fall festivities arrive, use candles to celebrate. Whether you opt for the traditional pumpkin spice and fallen leaves or turn your taper candles into mini ghosts with a little DIY for the kids. 

As we celebrate World Candle Month and all the ways candles impact our lives, the most important way to candle is safely. Always extinguish your candle correctly, never leave it unattended, and don’t burn for more than three hours at a time. Happy World Candle Month and let us know how you candle on social with #WorldCandleMonth #HowdoyouCandle. 

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Candles have enjoyed a surge in sales over the past year because of their ability to offer comfort, calm and relieve stress.  NCA spokesperson Kathy LaVanier, notes that overall U.S. candle sales have increased 30% since the pandemic. 

As you prepare for ways to celebrate Valentine’s Day with your sweetheart, keep a few of these trends in mind when shopping online or in-store.

• Soy Candles – Soy candles are rising in popularity for their simple ingredients and are perfect for the minimalist. Soy candles create both a smooth and visually-appealing burn. 
• Wooden Wicks – If you don’t have an actual wood-burning fireplace to snuggle up to this Valentine’s Day, the ambient sound of a candle with a wooden wick crackling can do the trick! 
• Food Scented Candles – Complete the night with some culinary aromatherapy. Food scented candles are a trend from 2020 expected to continue this year. Keep a sweet peach-scented or comforting sugar cookie candle burning to create a comforting atmosphere.
• Destination Candles – Many are missing travel to see family, friends and vacation spots.  Candles that offer the scents (and a sense) of home or favorite vacation spots are trending and can help to fill the void and bring a bit of cheer. 
• Movie Night – Turn movie night from a visual interlude into a total experience by lighting candles with scents you’ve selected to go with each specific movie.  With new experiential opportunities limited by sheltering, don’t miss creating this one.

And please remember, NCA encourages everyone to use safe practices when burning candles this Valentine’s Day and every day. For additional information on candles and fire safety, visit our Fire Safety page.

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NCA and the candle industry as a whole is an example of innovation in 2020. Some of our members had to go from manufacturing candles to pivoting to making PPE, while other members revved up hand sanitizer production. We have adapted from brick and mortar shopping to expanded online shopping, curbside pick-up and delivery models. Business meetings and conferences went from in-person gatherings to completely virtual events. Though met with challenges along the way, we have to not only found new ways of operating but done so successfully.

In the last seven months, our needs have changed as well. No longer is there a need for expensive lipstick that no one will see under our face masks, and designer handbags now sitting in our closets. What we crave is a little bit of comfort, lingering to our memories and looking for something new among our daily grind of the new normal, whether it be a familiar smell of vanilla or a luxury scent of bergamot.

Candles have found many ways to help us. They can transport us through scents – bringing us to that destination we miss, bringing us back to memories of family, and now expanding our senses through innovative scents. Candle manufacturers have tapped into our need for something new – that is old again. There are scents based on the smell of pencil shavings to bring us back to the classroom, destination scents that can take you back to your favorite trip or vacation location and woody scents that remind us of an outdoor campfire. Some scents can soothe your senses at the end of a trying day. There are even candles that smell like your favorite soda, take-out food or car wash soap.

As the holiday season fast approaches, look to candles to bring some innovation into your life – as a gift, or a gift to yourself. Treat your loved one to something that any woman or man will truly love. Not only are candles easy to buy online or in-person at any price range, they have the ability to transport you to another place outside your small circle. This year, we see a trend in “comfort scents” like fir and sugar cookies, design trends for nostalgia with colors leaning toward jewel tones and exciting new innovations in texture, such as leather or stone and many unique vessels and the use of glass containers.

Let’s remember to find some good in all the bad and to use our own ability to innovate as we navigate on toward 2021. Candles can be a great way to bring you back in time, to another place, to bring something new into your home and to create that comforting feeling we are all seeking.

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So we ask you to join us in celebrating World Candle Month and the many ways that candles light up our world and fragrance our lives. All September, the National Candle Association wants you to celebrate the many ways a simple candle can improve our lives.

Improve Mood, Decrease Stress
The soft light and fragrance of a candle cannot only reduce stress, but can actually help us improve our mood. “Scents can have positive effects on mood, stress reduction, sleep enhancement, self-confidence, and physical and cognitive performance,” says Theresa Molnar, Executive Director of the Sense of Smell Institute. Fragrances inhaled go to the brain where the neurological effect can alter mood. So light a candle and celebrate all you have overcome in the last few months.

Help Us Transition from Day to Night
The first day of autumn is September 22, and with this comes shorter days and more hours of darkness. As many of us are spending more time at home, this is a great way to celebrate the change of season and light a candle. When the kids finish with homeschooling, you have logged off your last virtual meeting for the day; you begin to transition into evening. It is the perfect time to light a candle and set the mood for the evening.

Remind Us of People and Places
Many of us have not been able to see family and loved ones. We did not go on vacation this year. Couples have had to cancel their weddings and birthdays have turned into another excuse for a Zoom cocktail hour. Nothing seems the same, and sometimes we are all feeling a bit lonely. However, our sense of smell is one of our strongest connections to memories. So light the strawberry shortcake candle that reminds you of your grandmother’s kitchen and enjoy that candle you bought on Royal in New Orleans. Remember the smells and memories of those cherished times.

Help Us Celebrate
From birthday cake to religious celebrations, candles are a part of the important moments in our lives. However, we do not always need a milestone to celebrate. Lighting a candle at night can create a festive mood, provide additional light to your evening outdoors or take an ordinary dinner and turn it into a party. Make the most of the little moments, as these are the daily milestones of our lives.

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Lockdown restrictions have begun to ease, but large group gatherings are still not possible, forcing folks to get creative or wait it out.  Many brides and grooms have decided to move ahead as planned, but pivoting as needed – changing to an outdoor setting, relocating to a smaller venue or even turning to an at-home virtual ceremony for friends and family to join from around the world.

Wherever a wedding takes place – on Zoom or in your backyard — creating a space of beauty, peace and magic can be done with the simple, yet elegant décor created by candles.  Day or night, candlelight adds to the romantic atmosphere of most any occasion and creates a sense of festivity, even if it’s just a few gathered for this important day.  From garden candles to wedding stairway drama, there are myriad ways candles can create the perfect ambiance for your ceremony or celebration.  A few suggestions include:

• Hanging candle lanterns in trees or on strung lines to add light or provide a visual boarder
• Creating easy to assemble candle campfires with smaller intimate seating areas
• Making a candle light path into the event site or as a romantic walk into the woods or towards the beach
• For more ideas, visit The World Candle Month Pinterest Page at https://www.pinterest.com/candlemonth/

Candles have always equaled romance and, now more than ever, as couples may need to get creative for their nuptials, candles can offer a simple, yet stunning décor option.  Another common tradition are Unity Candles, whereby two outside candles are lit by the parents, representing their lives at the moment. The couple then lights a center candle together, symbolizing the union of their lives.  

There’s a special beauty and tranquility to candles, but a lighted candle is also an open flame, and a potential fire hazard if not carefully monitored. Never leave a burning candle unattended. Never burn a candle on or near anything that might catch fire. And make sure to keep candles out of the reach of children and pets.

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Label Statement: Made with a Lead-Free Wick 

What You Need to Know: Numerous products available on the market advertise their candles as being made with a lead-free wick. While having a wick that is free of lead is critical to consumer safety, there is no difference between candles sold in the United States that advertise their wicks as lead-free and those that do not. Why? Because there no lead wick candles sold in the United States. Lead wicks have been officially banned in the United States since 2003, and before then they were primarily limited to inexpensive imported candles. National Candle Association members voluntarily agreed to not use lead wicks in 1974, and have long supported the elimination of lead wick use.

Label Statement: Hand-Poured Candle 

What You Need to Know: Several candle manufacturers, especially smaller brands, may tout that their candles are hand-poured. This simply means that the melted wax is mixed with any fragrance and poured into the candle vessel by hand. Hand-poured candles are typically made in smaller batches and may have a more artisan feel. Regardless of the manufacturing technique used, all reputable candle makers observe rigid quality standards.

Label Statement: Burn Time 

A candle’s burn time is the estimated amount of time your candle will burn for. While many factors determine a candle’s burn time including the type of wax used and fragrance load, in general, the larger the candle, the longer the burn time will be.

Follow the manufacturer’s instructions and do not burn a candle for longer than recommended. In general, it’s advised not to burn a candle for longer than 4 hours at a time. Burning a candle for longer may cause carbon to collect on the wick and cause the flame to get too big and the candle to smoke. It’s also best to discard a candle when there is about a half-inch of wax left in the container.

Label Statement: Multi-Wick Candle 

Candles with multiple wicks have become popular in recent years as the demand for larger candles has increased. Having multiple wicks can help ensure a more even burn and prevent tunneling. Avoid candles that are extra wide and only have one wick as they may not produce enough heat to melt the wax evenly across the candle.

What to Look for When it Comes to Candle Safety 

When shopping, beware of purchasing a candle with no safety label. Reputable candle manufacturers follow industry standards, and this may mean that other important fire safety design guidelines are not being met.

The National Candle Association has played a leading role in the development of industry standards outlined by the ASTM F2058 Standard Specification for Candle Fire Safety Labeling. Under these standards, every candle should have a cautionary label or tag listing three key rules for candle fire-safety. The following graphic safety symbols should be included on your candle’s label:

Burn within sight: A reminder to keep an eye on all burning candles, and extinguish a candle before leaving a room.

Keep away from combustibles: A cue to pay attention to your surroundings. Keep burning candles away from  furniture, drapes, bedding, carpets, books, paper, and other flammable objects.

Keep away from children: Make sure your candles are placed up high and unreachable to children and pets.

For more information about product safety, visit our Learn the Label page.

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The National Candle Association is here to keep you in the loop on the hottest home décor and fragrance trends to watch out for in 2019, with expert insight from NCA member company Symrise and the Pantone Color Institute:

Create an Experience

When it comes to purchasing decisions, Symrise notes that consumers are seeking products that convey a meaningful experience and evoke specific feelings. As interactive products and pop-up experiences continue to grow in popularity, candles are also adapting to this experience-centric trend by tapping into consumers’ emotions.

Memory-inducing scents like Florida Sunshine and Mountain Lounge are on the rise.

Fragrance also joins forces with color and emerges as an emotionally powerful duo, offering a sense of personality and comfort in the home.

Here are popular home colors to keep an eye out for in 2019, with corresponding scents:

• White: Powdery, fresh, vanilla

• Brown: Woody, oriental, caramel

• Green: Aromatic, fruity, gourmand

• Blue: Floral, ocean, blueberry

• Pink: Citrus, flower essence, spun sugar

• Red: Spicy, bold floral, intense fruit

• Yellow: Tangy, tropical, lemon notes

Make a Statement

Pantone emphasizes an increase in decorative accessories making bold statements – and that includes your candle holders.

With iridescence as one of the latest design trends for 2019, metallic candle containers continue to grow in popularity. Other statement-seeking components of candle containers include strong and weighty shapes, along with intricate patterns.

Living Coral, the recently-announced 2019 Pantone Color of the Year, also serves to add a dramatic pop of color to rooms in the home, and is expected to be incorporated into candle packaging.

Connect with Nature

In the New Year, Pantone projects an enhanced connection between home décor like candles to nature and feelings of warmth. This can be seen through scents like Tomato Vine, Mahogany Teakwood or through decorative accessories such as birch bark wrapped candles.

Flesh tones and neutral shades also help convey a humanizing warmth in the home. Porcelain candle holders and tan taper candles can help contribute to this atmosphere.

Focus on Sustainability

As consumers desire a deeper connection to nature, they also prefer to support sustainable products and companies. According to Nielsen, 66 percent of global consumers are willing to pay more for sustainable goods, and a full 73 percent of millennials (consumers born between 1977 and 1995) are willing to pay more.

Some candle companies have incorporated sustainability in their products through utilizing recycled materials, such as using the bottom of old wine bottles as candle holder. Made using vessels, multi-functional candles are also growing in popularity. These candles can be repurposed for alternate uses once the candle is done.

Go for the Unusual

The shift toward atypical candle scents will continue in 2019, such as Off the Grill from Yankee Candle’s Gourmet Barbeque Collection.

Popular brands are also increasing the use of candles as a natural way to extend their influence and connect with fans. Examples like Veuve Cliquot Rose and even A.1 Steak Saucecandles are on the rise.

For more insight and best practices on candles, check out NCA’s Expert Tips & News.

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That’s where hygge comes in.

Pronounced “hoo-ga,” this concept describes a feeling of cozy satisfaction and well-being through embracing the simple things in life. Hygge was created by the Danish in the 18^th century, and has evolved into an international movement. While commonly associated with winter, the practice is meant to be enjoyed year-round.

Along with promoting a sense of comfort and safety, hygge has been linked to various emotional and physical benefits. These include increased optimism, reductions in stress, and improved sleep patterns.

Ready to shift your focus from stress to simplicity? Keep reading for some easy ways to practice this wellness trend at home:

Create a cozy atmosphere

Hygge décor is all about coziness, so snag a few fluffy pillows and soft blankets for some serious unwinding. A comfy nook is a great way to set aside space for peaceful activities, such as reading a book or enjoying a cup of tea.

Scented candles can also help accompany this uplifting atmosphere. Research finds that a pleasant scent can elevate the mood by as much as 40%.

Try integrating seasonal scents such as Apple Cider or Spiced Pumpkin into your home.  Scents like lavender and jasmine can also complement the ambiance, as these aromas have been linked to improved relaxation and stress reduction.

Curl up by the fire

The sounds of a flickering fire can be particularly effective in creating a sense of warmth and comfort in your home.

No fireplace? No problem! Wooden candle wicks give off a soothing crackling sound, just like a fireplace or campfire. By clustering candles of different sizes and shapes into individual glass votives and grouping them together, you can also create a similar look of a fireplace.

Let there be light

Warm, soft white light is an essential component of creating a sense of hygge in the living space. This creates an inviting and comfortable atmosphere, in contrast to the harsh effect of bright white bulbs or fluorescent lighting.

Rather than using overhead lights that can be overly bright for the space, try using floor and table lamps. Candles are another great way to emit a warm glow, offering a relaxing and inviting ambiance for both solo time and socializing. Just make sure that all candles are placed up high and kept out of reach of children and pets.

With these simple tips, your home will be hygge-friendly and extra inviting. For more on candle care and best practices, check out our foolproof guide.

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