Candles Make the Perfect Halloween Gift

Halloween is a time of celebration and fun with trick-or-treating to enjoy and fabulous parties to attend. Every year there is always someone I know that's having a Halloween party and if I have the energy and time, I like to throw one myself.

I love entertaining and for special occasions such as Halloween, I usually send my guests off with a special gift. Last year, I made some pumpkin scones and the year before, I gave tiny boxes of sweet candies.

As I looked around my home trying to come up with a gift for this year, I noticed all the candles sprinkled throughout the house. I have candles in all shapes, sizes and fragrances and I use them all the time. Just last week I bought a pack of orange-colored candles that smells like just-baked pumpkin pie. I realized how much I like to use candles at home to celebrate each season and thought to myself, "Candles would make a perfect gift for Halloween this year!"

*Photo of my pumpkin pie candles taken by myself.

Candles are the perfect gift for just about anyone. They come in so many styles, colors and scents the hard part is choosing. Wherever I go, I can never seem to resist candle stores and they never fail to tempt me to step inside. Once in the store, I feel like a kid gone wild in a candy store!

Candles come in as many scents as the colors of the rainbow. They can create moods of happiness, peace and calm. For couples, they add a touch of romance and sensuality. Families can add some fun and whimsy with bright and colorful candles smelling of candy corn and pumpkin pie.

As a candle user, I appreciate candles that come in their own jar. You don't have to deal with the mess afterwards and no clean up necessary. I also like being able to use the jars later for other things so for me, they are the perfect gift to give as well as to receive. The design of the jars can be super cute or sophisticated chic.

There are many Halloween-themed candles available and the aromas usually have something to do with pumpkin pie or autumn spices. However there are a few that take the sophisticated route with exotic combinations such as anise and chai. Anyway you look at it, candles will instantly add a special atmosphere to your home.

I don't know about you, but I have a stash of tea lights in stock all year round. I put them into different votives and candle holders to add mood to my parties. I have some to help me relax when I'm particularly stressed. I also need to have some around in case of emergencies.

There are so many styles and designs when it comes to candle holders it's hard to choose. I have a collection at home to complement the changing seasons and Halloween is no exception.

Some of these candles smell just as good as the real thing. I once got a candle as a gift that smelled like white chocolate and every time I used it, I would have an intense urge for chocolate. Just after a few minutes, my living room would smell like a chocolate factory!

I love the smell of pumpkin pie spices and it's no surprise that I love candles that smell like them. Most of the good-quality candles have a realistic scent that's quite pleasant. Packaging and design is especially important when choosing them as gifts.

Candles must also be used with caution and never left unattended for a long time. Extra care must be taken especially if you have active kids running around the house. Having no kids myself, I tend to prefer real candles but there are certain situations where I choose to take the flameless route.

When I have large parties with 30-40 people in the house, I prefer to use LED candles in hard-to-see areas. I also use them outside on the balcony especially if it's it's a windy night.

Fortunately, there are many choices of LED candles available today. They are well designed and many of them flicker like the real thing. Although they aren't real candles, it still has a similiar effect, changing the ambiance of your room to moody, romantic or festive.

Do you give gifts for Halloween? What do you think of candles? Do you have a favorite candle? Please share them here.