44 Gifts That Smell Good (And Not One Is a Candle)

These sticks are thick and strong and smell great — somewhat reminiscent of these ubiquitousNag Champa sticksbut incredibly elevated. Because of their size, you can get at least two (if not three or four) room-saturating uses out of each one. The Pure Breu and Sage (which smells just like lighting actual sage but without all the burning embers) is my personal favorite, but the blends are also very nice. They’re relatively pricey — $29 for just nine sticks — so giving and getting a box feels special. Round it out by adding Incausa’s simplestoneware incense holder, or you can really level up with its sculpturalStill burner.

Voguecontributor, author,fashion writer, and self-proclaimed “oud obsessive” Plum Sykes says this incense is nothing short of perfect. “Real oud scent comes from the incredibly rare resin of the agarwood tree,” she explained in a recentSecret Strategistnewsletter, “so only high-end scent makers like Montroi use unadulterated sources.” This exclusivity accounts for the $50 price tag but also makes for a very luxe gift.

These are pure palo santo but powered and pressed into bricks, so you get all the aromatic goodness but with a sustained burn that lasts much longer than lighting a traditional stick. Unlike other incense bricks I’ve used (I’m looking at you, Incense of the West), these are quite densely packed and don’t crumble easily, though they are easy to break into shorter bits — which I recommend doing, as a little goes a very long way. Each box has four bricks (they also make12-box packs), and you can round it out by pairing with one of Incausa’swabi-sabi elbow smudge pots.

A handmade brass incense holder from Subtle Bodies is the perfect vessel for that aforementionedstick of pure oudor any other incense stick.Allthreeshapesare utterly simple, absolutely beautiful, and perfect for anyone with a more minimalist and natural aesthetic — though I can’t image any of them not looking great displayed pretty much anywhere. Despite their small size, they’re also the only incense holders I tried that fit the multiple varieties of incense I tested (includingSubtle Bodies’ own, which are quite lovely). And at around $40 each, they’re also priced very nicely for gifting.

Pretti.Cool has a few different and very niceconcreteandterrazzoincenseholders on offer, but this mini bagel-shaped one is the most unique and thus fun to give. It fitsincense briquetsand slim sticks of palo santo and also doubles as a matchstick holder and starter for strike-anywhere matches.

If incense feels too run-of-the-mill, try these: Hibi are fragranced matches that, when lit correctly (the box comes with instructions), provide up to ten minutes of continuous, mellow fragrance. The packaging has an austereshibuiaesthetic that echoes the vibe of the scents, which range from deep, woodsy smells like Cedar and Oak Moss to light florals like Mimosa and Japanese Wisteria. For gifting purposes, opt for an assortment: This particularGift Boxhas 12 (two matches of each), but there are alsofive- andthree-scentvariety packs, includinga limited-edition Holiday Box. (Individual scents come in either packs ofeightor30.) Every pack comes with its own reusable and ultimately disposable burning pad, and Hibi also makes its ownceramic incense trays.

Lighting one of these extra-long matches feels luxurious in a devil-may-care, Marie Antoinette kind of way. This is partially owing to the boxes, which are decorated with illustrations of foppish royals and various nobility. But it’s also because of the match itself: Although fragranced and more than three times longer than your average wooden stick, they’re still just regular matches and thus meant to burn out just as quickly — so setting one ablaze for any reason feels extravagant, and receiving a whole set as a gift feels like a real treat. There are four box types to choose from —Kings and Queens,Dukes and Duchesses,Viscounts and Viscountesses, andMarquis and Marchionesses— each smelling of the same blend that includes notes of rum, grapefruit, oak wood, labdanum, tobacco harmony, moss, and amber.

The novelty of burning (and giving) these fragranced papers may be a bigger draw than the scents themselves. They come in tiny bound books with 12 pages each (three strips per page), and you need to fold each strip accordion style before lighting it up, placing it on a fire-safe surface (there’s the dedicatedEtoile d’Armenie burner, but I really love thisbejeweled dish from Edie Parker) and letting it burn. They’re especially great to keep in the bathroom, since they’re much chicer than a pack of matches alone, and they burn quickly enough that you don’t need to worry about leaving a flame unattended for too long. They also work as potpourri when they’re not lit and they look cute on display.

Drizzling this plaster piggie with a few drops of essential oil will add some subtle fragrance to any small space — closet, drawer, desk area, etc. Pigs are also considered a symbol of good luck and prosperity in many cultures (including Japan, where this little guy is made), so you’ll also be giving the gift of good vibes. And scented or otherwise, he’s pretty cute.

These wax tablets are meant to be used like potpourri rather than melted, and they hold their scents (there’s a range to choose from, including the brand’s iconic spicy leathery-greenMelograno) for up to nine months. They’re small, but, especially because they carry the Santa Maria Novella name, they’re inherently elegant — like something the queen of England might have nestled in her own underwear drawer. They’re perfect for anyone on your list who enjoys the finer things. For something more traditional and substantial, there’s also the classic Santa Maria Novellaterracotta pomegranateorpotpourri pot; and for something more seasonal, try the Natale-scented waxmedallionandstar sets.

This potpourri is made byEdenworks Japan, a creative studio focused on showcasing flowers and plants at every stage, including decay — hence this very attractive blend of dried petals, branches, and leaves, housed in a glass petri dish. Even if your giftee isn’t a huge fan of the smell — an essential oil blend of sandalwood, citronella, patchouli, palmarosa, and frankincense — they’ll be hard-pressed to deny the visual appeal.

I can’t set foot in a Muji without finding my way to one of these and basking in its scented mist for a minute. It’s like a soft nightlight and diffuser in one with two light levels, four timer settings, and up to three hours of continuous mist time. If someone on your list is taking steps to improve their sleep hygiene, this could be a helpful tool in their bedtime arsenal.

Heretic partnered with the Edward Gorey Estate to create a collection of room sprays they’re calling “an indulgence for the tastefully unhinged.” There are four scents to choose from, includingthe Haunted Tea-Cosy, which smells like “a warm cup of over-steeped tea, infused with flowers and citrus” and is my personal favorite — though I’ve happily sprayed the other three as well. Packaged in black glass bottles adorned with Gorey illustrations, they’re perfect for anyone who has a penchant for the macabre but still loves a little luxury.

This deodorizing and antibacterial spray has citrusy top notes, lavender, peppermint, and cinnamon in the middle, and a vanilla base. It’s not for spraying around the room, but spraying it into stinky shoes can definitely help to freshen the air. Perfect for any sneaker heads on your list or any sneaker wearer in general.

The A24 store is actually killing it when it comes to merch, and scent plays a surprisingly big role. There’s aMidsommarincense temple, aPink Opaquetelevision-shaped candlethat smells like a grown-up version of my old Strawberry Shortcake doll, and some very sleek-looking moviegenre candlesin scents like Thriller (with notes of blood orange and leather), Horror (with heliotrope, witch hazel, and nitro-musk), and Noir (wild honey, vetiver, and concrete). But my favorite arethese car air fresheners. They come in the same ten genre-inspired smells as the aforementioned candles, and each one can be hung from a rearview mirror without fear of passenger reprisal (unlikethose God-awful trees— I don’t care how bad your car smells, they only make things worse). A single would make a nice stocking stuffer, and two or three are a lovelyWhite Elephantgift.

For even more actually good air freshener options, check outretaW’s car tagsandthe fragrance tags from Swedish brand La Bruket.

It’s rare to find a palo-santo-scented product that smellsexactlylike the real thing, but this oil from Noto comes closer than pretty much anything I’ve ever tried. Apply it wherever you’d put perfume, or rub it all over your hands and run it through your hair. Because it’s oil, the scent is relatively subtle, so it’s hard to go overboard no matter how much you use. I also comes in a0.35-ouncesize that’s great for on the go.

Mustela calls this a “Baby Perfume,” which has never made sense to me because babies smell amazing on their own. For adults (and teens — I bought my first bottle in eighth grade), however, it’s absolutely lovely: mild, warm, and perfectly subtle no matter how heavily you spray it on.

Braindead describes this perfume as a blend of “rustic and refined elements” with notes including sandalwood, tobacco leaf, clary sage, roasted hazelnut, and brushed suede that create “an unforgettable, timeless scent.” I haven’t had a chance to smell it, but I’m always intrigued by anything from actor and wonderfully weird Renaissance man Jeff Goldblum, and I think anyone on your list who feels the same way would get a kick out of what I can only image is an equally intriguing fragrance.

Another pick from Plum Sykes’ fragrance lineup is this adorable little lemon soap, which U.K. heritage soap maker Bronnley’s has been producing since the 1850s and, according to Sykes, “really does smell like lemon.” You can give them individually (perfect for stuffing in a stocking) or as aboxed set of three.

Badedas bath gel has been touted on the Strategistbeforeand even shows up in some of our other 2025giftguides. And while I’d normally put bath gel in the same “too easy” category as candles, this one must be mentioned here because it’s in a class all its own. In addition to turning your bathwater or washcloth a shocking shade of neon green, it has a smell that’s equal parts inscrutable and unforgettable, a piney-spicey-citrusy blend that’s unlike anything else and also absolutely wonderful — which is good, because it definitely lingers long after you’ve rinsed it off.

Whenever I see an Aesop hand soap in a friend’s home, it’s this one, and it smells amazing. Not only that, but the Aesop bottle alone adds instant elegance to literally any bathroom. I honestly think it could make an outhouse look luxe. Yes, it’s just hand soap, but it’s a very giftable hand soap, and I personally can’t think of anyone who wouldn’t enjoy unwrapping this. (If you’re into Aesop but don’t want to give a soap, try one of theirroom sprays.)

Aromatic jewelryhas been around for millennia, and this Pamela Love necklace is a perfect way to keep the tradition alive. It’s modeled after ancient amphorae (hence the name), can be filled with your fragrance of choice, and has a jeweled screw top (lapisorclear quartzfor the gold-plated brass versions,green jadeorsmokey quartzfor the silver) that keeps whatever you put in it from spilling out. It’s a perfect extra-special present for a perfume lover but also gorgeous and totally giftable on its own, no smell required.

If you’re going the jewelry route and have (a lot) more to spend, Sophie Buhai’s fillable silver necklace is a prefect choice. It holds perfumes or, per the brand, smelling salts but also works as an austere statement necklace on its own.

These cards are inspired by an 18th-century game, but they’re for scenting rather than playing. Use them individually as mini-potpourris, book marks, and note cards, or leave the whole deck out as a bit of décor.

I dabble in illustration, so I have a decent amount of standard (and totally forgettable) artist erasers that I often misplace. This scented Aster de Villatte one, which I received as a stocking stuffer a few years ago, is the only eraser I actually keep track of, and it also erases like a pro. I have the Porte Des Lilas scent, which has a subtle lilac-y smell that’s still going strong. There aresix other smellsto pick from, any of which would make a perfect little present for an artist (amateur or otherwise), student, or anyone who likes a fancy desk setup.

These cedarwood pencils come in sets of six and are scented with rose geranium, orange blossom, fig tree, or jasmine. Gardenheir says they can be used to scent a drawer, but since they’re actual working pencils, I’d personally keep them on my desk rather than hide them away. What your giftee does with them is their call.

While not itself scented, this book does promise to take you on a meditative journey of scent exploration. Each essay is centered around various sensory experiences with trees and nature with various reader prompts, like taking a tree inventory of your own home, and different ways to appreciate how many things come from trees. Perfect for the more cerebral and contemplative recipient.

Adults who remember these will enjoy the nostalgia factor, and kids who are experiencing them for the first time will get a kick out of smells that range from standard (grape jelly, watermelon, root beer) to totally strange (spaghetti, hot dog, dill pickle).

A version of the belovedBébé-expert- andpediatrician-recommendedoriginalSophieand So’ Pure Sophie teethers with a light vanilla scent (that will probably be more fun for parents than actual babies, but still).

Miniland Baby Dolls are all anatomically correct, represent a range of different races, and smell like dessert. They’re also on our list ofbest gifts overallandbest holiday gifts for 4-year-olds.

There are six different plush Fart Monsters to choose from, each with its own not-scary scent: grape, lemon-lime, bubble gum, tutti-frutti, pineapple, and cherry. Smells aside, each monster also houses a self-inflating whoopee cushion — which, if we’re being honest, is probably the biggest selling point for any kid on your list.

A stuffed Christmas goose with real lavender, weighted to be extra cuddly. It can also be heated up in the microwave or chilled in the freezer for an even more soothing effect.

Like all Melissa shoes, the Mini Melissa boots smell like fruity bubble gum. My daughter has had a few Mini Melissa styles over the years, and every one has smelled the same (delicious and nostalgic) from day one til their inevitable retirement. Buy these boots one size up, and they should fit perfectly just in time for for springtime showers.

Even if you’re not giving an actual candle, I’d be willing to bet that most people you’re buying for do enjoy burning them on occasion. This very attractive Deco burner melts them evenly and without flames or smoke, so you get all of the scent with none of the hazards. It also makes candles last three times longer than traditional lighting.

A candle snuffer and wick trimmer aren’t necessary, which makes them a lovely luxury to have and to give. This Le Labo set has as cool industrial-chic vibe.

Binu Binu’s long and lean lighter is a collaboration with luxury lighter manufacturerTsubota Pearland comes in four more colors:chocolate(dark brown),red bean(deep burgundy),satin brass, andbrushed silver.

If they prefer a disposable lighter, they can at least put it in a fancy outfit — like this metal-and-resin croc cover from Edie Parker. (It also comes in silver.)

If you’re into lighting with matches, this cloche is a very elegant way to do it and looks much nicer on display than a random paper pack. It includes a striker and comes filled with four-inch matches. You’ll find the widest variety of colors on theSkeem site.