Luxury Candles: Gift Another or Yourself

Nov 18th 2011 at 8:00AM by Wendy Rose Gould

Every once in a while, it feels good to splurge. I'm not saying you have to go out and lay $500 down on a new bracelet, but a bit of an investment in the finer things of life can put you in higher spirits. Call it retail therapy or retail addiction, it feels good to buy something nice for yourself every once in a while.

My splurge du jour? Candles. Luxurious, intoxicating, fabulously decadent candles.

While candles purchased from your local supermarket may satisfy ordinary ambiance needs, lighting a sumptuous candle every so often is good for the soul. Like when the kids are gone and you're snuggled up with a new book. Or when you finally get a moment to sneak away for a bubble bath and a little red wine. They also come in handy over a romantic dinner and...other romantic situations.

I'm currently infatuated with the opulent Tocca Candela ($58) pictured at left. With its hand blown glass vessel and antiqued brass filigree stand, this 9.5 oz Candela oozes the kind of luxury Marie Antoinette was accustomed to. It comes in three scents: Peach Bellini -- a soft and warm peachy fragrance; Vanilla Tabak -- a perfumed, sweet-meets-musky vanilla; and Spiced Elemi Wood -- a zesty, romance-in-the-woods fragrance.

These Tocca candles -- and the luxury candles featured below -- make the perfect gift for mom, wife, girlfriend, sister, hostesses, the boss and, of course, yourself.