Sustainable luxury with Caia Candle Co.

The holiday season can be the jolliest and most stressful time of the year. We all panic trying to find the perfect gift for someone, only to receive a pair of socks in return. Look no further because Caia Candle Co. is here to provide a sustainable and luxury present for your family and friends this holiday season.

Caia Candle Co. is a woman-owned and operated company that produces vegan and cruelty-free candles that are responsibly sourced. Each hand-poured candle is clean-burning, meaning they are made of natural coconut wax and phthalate-free fragrances, making sure they don’t give off excess smoke while burning. To have a longer-lasting candle, make sure to keep your wick trimmed to 1/4 in long; any longer and your candle may start to smoke!

To be as kind to our Earth as they can be, the company offers a “Send It Back’ program for their boxes. Once you have collected six Caia Candle Co. candles, send them an email so they can give you a label to mail your boxes back to be recycled by them.

Continuing to be sustainable, Caia Candle Co. has seed paper dust covers that are designed with each full-size candle. This allows each candle to breathe a new life even when the light goes out. After you’ve gone through your beautiful smelling candle, scoop out the excess wax and clean the inside. Then, it’s as simple as adding soil to ⅔ of the jar, placing the dust cover in the top third, and adding a little extra soil and water. Now you have a houseplant! While candles are usually for the adults, this gardening activity can include even the youngest of kids, no green thumbs required.

Songs, sips, and scents

What makes these candles the perfect present, you ask? It’s the drink suggestion and playlist that comes with it. Caia Candle Co. describes its products as a multi-sensory experience. Each candle scent is inspired by a song and comes with a playlist, which can be added to your Spotify library, bridging the gap between auditory and olfactory notes. It also comes with a suggested cocktail or bottle of wine that complements every fragrance of their candles. You can find each candle and drink pairing, including recipes for custom cocktails, through their blog, which is linked on their website. Some of the drinks can also be enjoyed as virgin beverages, so you can still be a part of the fun.

Right now, my top two favorites, based on the overall experience and the season, are Old Pine and The Suburbs. While these are my personal favorites, don’t forget to check out the other 11 candles and new ones that are continually being added!

Old Pine

Smelling even better than a fresh-cut Christmas tree, Old Pine gives hints of pine, spruce, and cedar. It’s described to smell like a cabin in Big Bear in Southern California, backpacks, and hiking boots. The song inspiration was “Old Pine” by Ben Howard. Other songs included on this playlist are “Flume” by Bon Iver, “Too Late” by The Paper Kites, and “Only” by RY X. Pair this candle with Bailey’s spiked hot chocolate.

Ingredients:

  • 3 cups milk of choice
  • 2/3 cups semi-sweet chocolate chips
  • 1/4 cup sugar
  • 1 pinch salt
  • 1/2 tsp vanilla
  • 4oz Baileys

Recipe: “In a saucepan, combine milk, chocolate, sugar, and salt. Heat on medium-low and stir. Continue mixing until chocolate melts completely and it comes to a low simmer (do not boil). Once lightly simmering, immediately remove from heat. Add vanilla and stir to combine. Add Irish cream to glasses or mugs and ladle in hot chocolate.”

The Suburbs

As someone who grew up in the suburbs, this scent is spot on. It has hints of rosemary, sage, and cedar, making it smell like a backyard garden, the Saturday morning Farmers’ Market, and afternoon sunshine. It’s based on the song “The Suburbs” by Mr. Little Jeans. The playlist also has songs such as “Sway” by Anna of the North, “Ghostride” by Crumb, and “Show Me How” by Men I Trust. It’s paired best with a Rosemary Greyhound cocktail.

Ingredients:

  • 3oz vodka
  • The juice of 2 grapefruits
  • 1oz rosemary simple syrup
  • 6oz club soda or sparkling water
  • Sprigs of fresh rosemary

Recipe: “Combine all ingredients in a shaker with ice. Shake until cold and serve over ice. Garnish with fresh rosemary.”

Giving back

Along with the fun of a fancy candle, a rocking playlist, and a drink pairing, Caia Candle Co. also believes in candles for change. Each month they decide on different non-profit organizations and donate 20% of all profits as a way to give back to a variety of communities. Since becoming an official company in March of 2020, they have donated to organizations such as Black Lives Matter, The Trevor Project, Lebanese Red Cross, Breast Cancer Alliance, and Feeding America. To learn more about the non-profits they choose each month, check out their Instagram page.

So let your gift be more than just a candle. Let it be an experience that lights up someone’s life and soothes their soul. Caia Candle Co. is here to bring us together this holiday season.

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