Best Thanksgiving Ever

It’s November already? Like, how did that happen? This year in New York, we went from an unseasonably tropical, sun-drenched early October only to wake up a week before Halloween to find the city encapsulated in frost (and everyone waddling around in those floor-length puffer penguin coats). I mean, what even happened to sweater weather this year?

Okay, I can already hear my friends in the south and on the west coast putting down their poolside mojito just long enough to belly laugh at me. I get it; it’s not for everyone. But I love the transition of the seasons, even when they hit you like a ton of ice cubes. And I love cozy season. LOVE it. Everything from now through New Year's gives me serious nostalgic, carefree vibes. It’s a total cliche, but I find this time of year totally magical. Especially Thanksgiving.

That’s not to say the season doesn’t come without its own set of challenges, especially if you’re an introvert like me. I’m not super comfortable with large groups at the best of times, but mix in some random relatives with traditions that revolve around excessive consumption, and it can be a recipe for some pretty awkward encounters.

Here's our tips for setting the right mood by lighting up good vibes this Thanksgiving.

Warm up with Friendsgiving

Whoever invented Friendsgiving is a genius and deserves a Nobel Peace Prize. This amazing little gathering combines all the best parts of the traditional Thanksgiving and wraps it in all the things you’ve grown to love. The casual cozy atmosphere, your chosen family of close friends, food you actually like (and you won’t be made to feel guilty for not eating something either). It’s the perfect way to ease yourself into the party season and to get warmed up for the main event. Our Pumpkin Spice Vibes Only candle is perfect for Friendsgiving; its fun, playful appearance paired with the perfect spiced seasonal scent really hits all the right feels. Notes of warm pumpkin pie, pumpkin spiced latte (PSL), and gooey buttercream evoke iconic fall nostalgia. It’s guaranteed to set the right mood so you and all your besties can do what you do best: focus on making amazing memories together.

Plus One-ing

So you’re getting serious with your significant other, and you’ve decided to take it to the next level. Thanksgiving with their family! Ahhh! If this is your first time meeting their folks, it can feel like Halloween never ended, and you’re living in a state of constant dread. Fear not, babe. You got this. Like, what’s the worst that can happen? Okay, don’t answer that. It’s a big deal, but it’s not the end of the world if things don’t go perfectly either. In fact, don’t go into it expecting perfection; that’s not going to happen. You can’t control other people, best you can do is control how you react to them. But you can maybe influence them a little bit. Like with a super thoughtful gift for the hosts. Our autumn-scented Happy Fallidays candle makes for the perfect gesture of good will and sets the tone for a fun-filled first meal together. Classic fall fragrances like warm cinnamon, spicy gingerbread, and seasonal citrus are sure to be a big hit. Showing that you appreciate them from the start definitely won’t hurt. Plus, you’re awesome, so you have that going for you too. You’ll do great.

The Main Event

And just like that, Thanksgiving day has arrived. By now you might be a little over big family-style feasts, but time to put all that training to good use. I don’t know about you, but I’ve had some pretty wild thanksgivings in my time, so never take anything for granted. Especially nowadays when arguing over everything has become a team sport for some people. I always try to go into it hoping for the best and not expecting the worst. A big part of that for me is doing what I can to set the tone, raise the positivity, and break the ice with anyone that’s even a little frosty. I find making people giggle is a good place to start, and our irreverent I’m Not Coming Unless There’s Wine scented soy candle always seems to do the trick. Plus, its blend of mulled red wine, cranberry and winter fir notes smells amazing!

Every Party Has a Pooper

Inevitably, things don’t always go according to plan. You’ve done your best to keep the vibes high, but your crazy drunk Aunt or your Dad’s new girlfriend (that creepily looks your age) clearly didn’t get the memo. Don’t worry, we planned for this. Reach deep into your bag and pull out our bestselling Girl, You Need to Calm the F’ Down  candle.

Walk over to that girl-gone-wild, look her square in the eyes, and slam it down square in the middle of her candied yams. Once she smells the calming blend of Japanese cherry blossom and magnolia, she’ll immediately chill out and apologize profusely. Everyone cheers. Congrats, you single-handedly saved Thanksgiving. Okay, if this was a movie, we’d now transition from your super satisfying dream sequence to a cut scene of you waking up at the dinner table with a big smile on your face. Sure, it was just a fantasy but either way, it felt (and smelled) pretty darn good.

Game On

Thanksgiving dinner is officially over, and you kinda only have two choices. Join the sports fans with their high-energy football-a-thon, or slip into a carbohydrate-induced food coma. If you opt for the first option, our Bar Stool Quarterback candle is for you. Whether you’re an armchair coach of the year or a total rookie wannabe, this candle will make you feel like the MVP. Rugged notes of sandalwood, leather, and amber create a classically masculine atmosphere and perfectly complement the traditional spiced fall fragrances. All while keeping the vibe warm and cozy.

If you opt for the Sleeping Beauty option: sorry babe, no candle for you. Please never light candles when you’re planning to nap or are going to bed. It’s a good idea to not burn candles if you plan on getting overly tipsy too. Stay safe, Princess.

You Did It!

Whoa, It’s Black Friday already? By now you might be feeling like Dorothy waking up after her trip to Oz. Did any of that really happen? Your hangover says “you-betcha!”. Time to relax, reset, and get back to normal. JK, Christmas is right around the corner, but you should take some me-time whenever you can. Our fan-fave Hot Cocoa and Cozy Cuddles candle is the perfect companion for holiday gift shopping from the comfort of your couch. For the next few weeks, every day is an add-to-cart kinda day, so may as well make it a comfy and cozy experience, right?

Plus, if you’re extra lucky, you might be able to snag one of our limited edition Swiss Miss® hot cocoa-scented candles, that come complete in a super cute branded mug! They’re going to go fast, so best to grab one while you can.

Extra Credit

We both know you’re a super thoughtful and grateful person (at least when you want to be), and you really appreciate all the nice things people have done for you over Thanksgiving. Why not show them with our Thanks For That Thing You Did soy candle, complete with a sculpted scented wax rose. I mean, a fancy lux candle and flowers all in one? How great is that?

Next Stop, Christmas Town

Okay, I know. Can we get a little break before we dive headfirst into the holidays? But, Black Friday is the perfect excuse to get ahead of gift-giving season and grab some bargains while you do it. Our ‘Tis The Season to Sparkle candle complete with shimmering plant-based eco glitter is like Christmas home fragrance and fun holiday decor all in one. So if you need a little nudge to get in the Christmas spirit, or even if your home’s already at maximum Griswold, this holiday spice-scented candle is for you.

As always, all our classic CANDIER® candles are made with natural soy wax, fragranced with essential oils, and hand-poured in the USA. They don’t include any gross goop, so no phthalates, lead, or parabens like other candles do. They’re also vegan and cruelty-free and burn for at least 60 hours.

Hopefully our little Thanksgiving guide helps you navigate this crazy busy time of year. Happy holidays, babe. See you the same time next year to do it all over again! xo