Candles make a thoughtful gift for almost any occasion. They bring freshness and fragrance to a room, and when designed right, they will last for a long time. To make your search easier, we combed through all the top quality candles on the market and narrowed it down to just a handful of our favorite options. Whether you're looking for a boxed gift set to gift your spouse or you need a gentle scent to put in the bathroom before your next party, there's sure to be an option here you'll love. Lulu Candles Luxury-Scented Hand-Poured Jar Candle Ideal as a gift for yourself or a friend, we can envision this candle sitting almost anywhere. Light it for ambiance in the bedroom, a nice glow in the kitchen, or fresh smells in the washroom. It’s made from soy wax and is completely eco-friendly. It’s also infused with essential oil-based fragrances. Plus, it comes in a variety of sizes and a whole range of scents. Pros: Eco-friendly Long-lasting burn time Comes in a variety of sizes and scents Cons: Can easily smell the scent, so may not be best for those with allergies Chesapeake Bay Scented Candle for Balance & Harmony Designed in Maryland, this lovely little candle will burn up to 50 hours in its lifetime. The fragrances are sourced from all around the world — a combination of ripe fruits, fresh rose petals, sandalwood, and orange oil, among others — and made into a special blend that will enchant your senses. Pros: Fragrant without being overpowering Long-lasting Affordable Made in the USA Cons: Does not come in a gift box Yinuo Candle Large Scented Candle Gift Set If you’re not sure what to get for your significant other, this is the perfect gift. This set comes with 4 candles, each individually designed and packaged in a portable tin container. The candles are made in respective scents of gardenia, lavender, jasmine, and vanilla. So there is sure to be a scent that she likes. Even better, the candles are completely biodegradable and made with pure soy wax — so you can rest easy knowing that the scent in the air is all-natural. Pros: Great as a gift Comes in a reusable, beautifully designed tin Pleasant scent but not overwhelming Cons: More expensive than some single candle options Capri Blue Volcano Blue Candle You can’t mess with a classic. The Volcano candle by Capri Blue has long been a staple in the candle-making world, and it never disappoints. Made with a blend of citrus notes and sugary scents, the overall effect is whimsical. It will make you feel like you’re on the beach with a margarita in hand. Pros: Long-lasting scent Fresh and iconic Great for all rooms Cons: Expensive Yankee Candle Large Balsam and Cedar Jar Candle If you need a candle that will last for ages while giving off a lovely, natural scent, look no further. This candle will last for over 100 hours, thanks to its large size and durable fiber wick. The scent will make you feel like you’re waking up in the fresh wilderness. Even better, you’re supporting an American company. Pros: The scent of fresh pines and crisp citrus Natural wick Built to last for 110-150 hours Cons: More expensive than other candles, though the longer burn time will more than make up for the cost Frequently Asked Questions How long are candles made to last? Depending on their size, wick, and make, candles will generally last somewhere between 40-200 hours. Expect larger jar-style candles to last the longest, while small candles, such as tea light candles, tend to burn out quicker. Also, you may not think about it, but candles actually have an expiration date. If your candle is not sealed, it will slowly start to lose its scent, even if you never burn it. For best results, open your candle right away and burn it for 1-2 hours. How do you make a candle last longer? Burning a candle actually isn’t as straightforward as you might think. You can lengthen the lifetime of your candle by burning it correctly. And, by the same token, you can burn through the wax quicker by burning incorrectly. A few rules of thumb: keep the wick trimmed, and put out the flame after 4-5 hours. Some large candles also recommend burning the wick for a minimum of 1 hour at a time to keep the wax from tunneling. Do candles lose their scent over time? Most candles will lose their scent eventually, especially if they are left unsealed and unused for long periods of time. Natural candles made from soy wax will typically lose their scent quicker than candle wax made from synthetic materials. If the candle has an essential oil as its base, it can also lose its scent quicker. The best way to keep your candle smelling strong? Burn it within a year of using it — or else keep it sealed in an airtight container away from the sun and moisture.