With their fragrant aromas and pretty packaging, luxe candles are an affordable indulgence that make a great gift for someone special (or yourself). Light up your life with wax wonders from these Toronto gift shops.
It’s easy to lose track of time while scanning the shelves at this enchanting Roncesvalles gift shop. Owner Brooke Manning stocks a handpicked selection of small-batch goods from local artisans and designers. When it comes to candles, you’ll find an ever-changing collection of home scents. Supernatural enthusiasts will love the ritual candles from Magic Hour; the handmade soy-wax pillars are infused with herbs, flowers and essential oils and moulded around lunar charged gemstones. Each unique mystical candle is designed to be burned with intention to dispel negativity, draw in emotional strength or heal heartbreak.
You’ll find candles in all shapes, forms and fragrances at this comprehensive candle and gift shop in Yorkville. Shelves are lined with unscented and scented beeswax candle varieties, as well as unique accessories likes ornate candelabras and metallic snuffers imported from Germany. If you’re a forgetful sort of individual, pick up a battery-operated flameless candle from Reallite — the convincing pillars glow and flicker in a realistic fashion and won’t be a worry if left unattended.
Recreate the Great White North in your living room with patriotic fragrances from this Canadiana lifestyle boutique. In addition to cozy camp socks and HBC blankets, the Parkdale shop stocks Canuk-themed candles made with EcoSoya wax, lead-free wicks and premium quality fragrances and essential oils. Thematic scents capture the unique odors of the Canadian landscape, including Toronto Smoke, Cape Breton Clover, Muskoka Campfire, Saskatoon Wheat and sweet Cabane a Sucre.
If you’re willing to splurge on scents for your home, you can’t go wrong with the high-end wares at this upscale department store. The Bloor Street flagship location stocks a variety of fragrant candles from Jo Malone, Molton Brown, Byredo Parfums and more. Parisian perfumer Diptqye offers about 50 varieties of luxe candles in four scent categories: fruity, floral, spicy, woody and herbal. The bestselling Baies candle is a cult favourite featuring blackcurrant leaves and roses. If florals aren’t your thing, Feu de Bois has a blend of rare woods that produces an intoxicating aroma reminiscent of an open-air campfire.
This charming Bloordale gift shop is filled with design-focused wares, including stationery, toys, home décor and apothecary items. The Field Jar pillar candles from Skeem Design have a 35-hour burn time and are inspired by 19th century specimen jars, complete with handwritten labels and cork stoppers. Best of all, the beautiful glass containers can be used to display your own collections (or as unique drinking glasses) once the wick burns down. You’ll even find a do-it-yourself giftwrapping station inside the store — a helpful bonus for those last-minute present purchases.
Treat yourself to an at-home spa day with plant-based skincare products and aromatherapy candles from this popular beauty boutique. The calming Shampure candle (the signature scent of Civello salons across the city) features a delicate mélange of 25 flower and plant essences, including subtle notes of lavender and ylang ylang. The Caribbean Therapy candle provides a tropical alternative with an island-inspired mix of amyris, vetiver, bay and lime. Both contentious soy wax candles come in 95 per cent recycled glass holders and burn for up to 50 hours.
The pretty candles at this American retailer will add a colouful touch of whimsy to your home. Fragrant coconut wax blends from Voluspa are housed in luxe patterned tins that can be repurposed as beautiful storage containers once the candles have burned down. Budding pastry chefs will adore the Boulangerie candles from Illume — the appetizing delights mimic kitchen scents like fresh-pressed espresso and Angel Food cake with sweet notes of vanilla, butter and caramel. You’ll also find delightful home décor items and candle accessories, including hanging votive vessels, vintage-inspired matchboxes, gilded snuffers and playful porcelain taper holders.
Scout out handmade goods from local labels and international designers at this indie gift boutique in the heart of Leslieville. The two-storey emporium stocks a variety of clothing, accessories and housewares, including a curated selection of merchandise from the Drake General Store and Summerhill décor boutique Love the Design. The quirky Canadian-made candles from FuturetCandles feature subtle and natural fragrances like fig and vetiver or mint and birch.
This multi-purpose specialty shop in the Annex carries holistic and mystical wares for the mind, body and spirit. The psychedelic space stocks a variety of pillars, votives and tealight candles designed to aid in spiritual ceremonies. Prefer something sweet and simple? The handmade 100 per cent beeswax candles have a natural honey scent and provide a non-toxic, allergen-free alternative to traditional paraffin candles.