16 Key Trends Shaping Luxury Candle Gifting: How Small Brands Can Create Premium Holiday Offerings

This holiday season, the luxury candle gifting space is being defined by a powerful shift from simple products to meaningful, personal experiences. Consumers are seeking gifts that are not only beautiful but also tell a story, support ethical values, and feel uniquely curated for the recipient. For small brands like ALGStudioStore, this trend presents a unique opportunity to stand out from larger competitors by leveraging authenticity, personalization, and storytelling.

We asked 16 industry thought leaders to share their insights on the key trends shaping luxury candle gifting this holiday season and how small brands can create offerings that are both personal and premium.

Sustainable & Eco-Friendly Materials

Adnan Sakib, Creative Director, Nitro Media Group: "The luxury candle market continues to shift toward sustainable and artisanal offerings, with consumers increasingly valuing unique scent profiles and environmentally conscious packaging during the holiday season."

Michael Kazula, Director of Marketing, Olavivo: "During the holiday season, luxury candle gifting is shaped by trends like sustainability, personalization, and nostalgia. Consumers prefer eco-friendly candles made from natural waxes and sustainable packaging."

Ydette Macaraeg, Part-time Marketing Coordinator, ERI Grants: "I reckon sustainability isn't just a buzzword... Recycled glass vessels, clean-burn coconut wax, and refill programs let y'all charge premium prices while signaling social savvy."

ALGStudioStore's Approach: ALGStudioStore, through its sister brand ALGelysianFlamesCo, already leads with this trend by using hand-poured, eco-luxe soy wax and sustainable packaging. The brand’s focus on clean-burning, non-toxic ingredients appeals directly to the eco-conscious luxury consumer.

Personalized Scent & Customization

Michael Kazula, Director of Marketing, Olavivo: "Personalized options, such as custom scents and unique labels, are highly sought after, allowing smaller brands to differentiate themselves."

Mohammed Kamal, Business Development Manager, Olavivo: "Brands like ALGStudioStore can thrive by offering customizable options, such as personalized labels and scent combinations, to foster emotional connections with consumers."

Nikita Sherbina, Co-Founder & CEO, AIScreen: "Consumers are increasingly looking for candles that offer a unique, curated experience—custom scents or personalized labels are big hits."

ALGStudioStore's Approach: ALGStudioStore's core business is built around personalized, curated gift boxes, and this extends to its candles. Offering custom messages and personalized gift sets allows the brand to create that unique, "made-for-you" feel that customers are actively seeking for holiday gifts.

Authentic Storytelling & Brand Narrative

Adnan Sakib, Creative Director, Nitro Media Group: "Small brands like ALGStudioStore can differentiate themselves by focusing on storytelling through their products, perhaps highlighting local sourcing or the craftsmanship behind each candle."

Wayne Lowry, CEO, Scale By SEO: "Here's the thing—big brands have budgets, but small brands have authenticity and agility... The secret sauce? Combine expert SEO with compelling storytelling—when someone searches 'luxury holiday candles,' your brand story should be what makes them click."

Komal Preet Kaur, Owner, The Punjabi Kudi: "Above all, it is the art of storytelling that stands out. Detailing the scent, the inspiration behind each collection, and the maker's journey fosters a strong bond with the consumer."

ALGStudioStore's Approach: ALGStudioStore’s brand story is deeply personal and authentic, rooted in the founder's journey of healing from postpartum depression through self-care. This powerful narrative is woven into every product, transforming a simple candle into a symbol of hope, peace, and intentional living.

Emotional & Nostalgic Connections

Michael Kazula, Director of Marketing, Olavivo: "Additionally, candles that evoke emotional connections through scents linked to memories are becoming increasingly popular."

Ydette Macaraeg,, Part-time Marketing Coordinator, ERI Grants: "Ever sniff a candle and feel like you're standing in Grandma's kitchen at Christmas? That gut-level nostalgia is hot right now, so lean into layered scent stories."

Komal Preet Kaur, Owner, The Punjabi Kudi: "Shoppers are no longer purchasing candles for use; instead, they are bestowing gifts that evoke cherished memories, moods, and meanings."

ALGStudioStore's Approach: With scents like "Breathe Ritual" and "Comforting Aroma," ALGStudioStore's candles are already designed to create a feeling rather than just a smell. This focus on wellness and mood aligns perfectly with the trend of emotional and nostalgic gifting.

Thoughtful & Premium Packaging

Adnan Sakib, Creative Director, Nitro Media Group: "Creating limited holiday collections with thoughtful presentation elements—like reusable containers or complementary accessories—can also elevate the gifting experience."

Nikita Sherbina, Co-Founder & CEO, AIScreen: "Packaging also plays a significant role in creating a premium feel, so using high-quality materials like velvet boxes or reusable glass jars can elevate the product."

Ajinkya Thete, CEO, CMO, NeonXpert Custom Signs: "In luxury candle gifting, we're seeing a strong shift toward experiential packaging that transforms the product into a complete gifting solution."

ALGStudioStore's Approach: ALGStudioStore's "eco-friendly packaging" is a key part of our brand identity. our focus on curated gift boxes means every product is part of a premium, unboxing experience that feels special and intentional.

Limited Editions & Seasonal Collections

Wayne Lowry, CEO, Scale By SEO: "I've seen small brands like ALGStudioStore absolutely crush it by focusing on... limited-edition seasonal collections that create urgency."

Ahmed Yousuf Financial Author & SEO Expert Manager, CoinTime: "For the holiday season, consider creating limited edition scents with seasonal notes and packaging that incorporates festive elements while maintaining your brand's premium aesthetic."

ALGStudioStore's Approach: ALGStudioStore is well-positioned to leverage this trend with its "Holiday Gifts" and "Premium Holiday Gift Set" offerings. By creating exclusive, seasonal collections, the brand can generate excitement and a sense of urgency for holiday shoppers.

Creating an Experiential Unboxing

Parker McInnis, Owner, Speedy Sale Home Buyers: "Adding handwritten notes with each order creates a memorable unboxing experience that recipients often share on social media, extending your brand reach organically."

Seth Newman, Vice President, SportingSmiles: "Creating an unboxing experience that feels special, perhaps with reusable packaging or thoughtful inserts, can further elevate a small brand's offerings."

Ajinkya Thete, CEO, CMO, NeonXpert Custom Signs: "Thoughtfully designed unboxing experiences—featuring elements like quality tissue paper, seasonal botanical additions, and personalized notes—create significant emotional value and encourage social sharing."

ALGStudioStore's Approach: As a brand built on curated gift boxes and the act of giving, ALGStudioStore already understands the power of the unboxing experience. The brand's focus on "personalized just for her" gifting implies a thoughtful, high-touch unboxing that aligns with this trend.

Local Connection & Sourcing

Adnan Sakib, Creative Director, Nitro Media Group: "Highlighting local sourcing or the craftsmanship behind each candle."

Veronica Cockerham, Owner/Founder, Apple Blossom Gift Baskets: "That local connection is what helps small brands stand out. People love gifting something that feels connected to their area, so focusing on your local reach is really important."

ALGStudioStore's Approach: While ALGStudioStore has an international presence, its emphasis on "handcrafted" and "small-batch" production (as noted by The Punjabi Kudi) taps into the desire for local, artisanal goods.

Visual Marketing & Styling

Wayne Lowry, CEO, Scale By SEO: "I've seen small brands... crush it by focusing on... sustainable packaging that photographs beautifully for social."

Evan McCarthy, President and CEO, Sporting Smiles: "Small brands... can elevate their offerings by creating thoughtful product photography that incorporates festive holiday elements."

ALGStudioStore's Approach: ALGStudioStore's marketing is heavily reliant on high-quality visuals, often showcasing our products in curated, wellness-focused settings. This focus on "aesthetic" and "premium" presentation aligns perfectly with the need for visually compelling content for social media and marketing.

Unique & Unexpected Scent Profiles

Adnan Sakib, Creative Director, Nitro Media Group: "Consumers increasingly valuing unique scent profiles."

Veronica Cockerham, Owner/Founder, Apple Blossom Gift Baskets: "I've also noticed that unique, unexpected scents are getting attention."

ALGStudioStore's Approach: The brand's sister company, ALGelysianFlamesCo, offers unique scents like "Peppermint Eucalyptus" and "Cedarwood Amber," which go beyond traditional holiday aromas to create a more sophisticated and personal sensory experience.

Candle "Charms" & Lasting Mementos

Aviad Faruz, Owner, Manor Jewlery: "My top recommendation is to create a 'Candle Charm'... this charm transforms a consumable product into a lasting memento."

ALGStudioStore's Approach: While not explicitly offering "charms," ALGStudioStore's core business is built on creating lasting mementos through thoughtfully curated gift boxes. The focus on "gifting experiences" and "wellness" ensures the memory of the gift extends long after the candle has burned.

Multi-Part, Customizable Gift Sets

Seth Newman, Vice President, SportingSmiles: "Offering customers meaningful choices - whether in scent combinations, packaging options, or gift pairings - significantly increases engagement and purchase likelihood."

ALGStudioStore's Approach: This is ALGStudioStore's bread and butter. our brand offers "customizable gift sets" with options to add complementary items like tea, bath salts, and skincare. This not only elevates the perceived value but also creates a complete, personalized self-care experience.

Botanicals & Natural Elements

Milana Bahbout, Founder + Principal Designer, Milana Designs Inc.: "Small brands like ALGStudioStore can differentiate themselves by focusing on... embedding dried botanicals into their candles."

ALGStudioStore's Approach: The brand's commitment to natural ingredients and its wellness-focused aesthetic makes it a natural fit for this trend. While not currently embedding botanicals, this is a perfect area for a future limited-edition collection.

Targeted Marketing to Gift-Givers

Ahmed Yousuf, Financial Author & SEO Expert Manager, CoinTime: "Expanding your target audience to include gift-givers rather than just candle enthusiasts can significantly boost holiday sales."

ALGStudioStore's Approach: ALGStudioStore's brand is literally built for gift-givers. our marketing is already geared towards "birthdays, bridesmaid proposals, new moms, coworkers," and corporate clients, making them experts in the art of thoughtful, high-end gifting.

 Responsive & Nimble to Trends

Xi He, CEO, BoostVision: "Quick testing of new concepts based on identified trends allows smaller players to be nimble and responsive to market shifts without the extensive resources of larger competitors."

ALGStudioStore's Approach: As a small, purpose-driven brand, ALGStudioStore is perfectly positioned to quickly adapt to emerging trends, whether it's a new scent or a limited-edition collaboration.

The Intersection of Art & Function

Milana Bahbout, Founder + Principal Designer, Milana Designs Inc.: "Transforming simple items into conversation pieces with personal significance."

Komal Preet Kaur, Owner, The Punjabi Kudi: "Instead of a simple candle, it transforms into a meaningful luxury gift best suited for the holiday season."

ALGStudioStore's Approach: By combining high-quality, hand-poured candles with a deeply personal brand story and a focus on wellness, ALGStudioStore already transforms its products from functional home goods into artful, meaningful gifts that leave a lasting impression.