The best candles don’t merely smell delightful, but can also encourage someone to slow down, set an intention, and maybe even relax and refocus—something we could all use a little (or a lot) these days. Aside from the whole aromatherapy factor, they’re also a champion vibe setter, mood-lifter, and the most-well curated among them can also serve as decor. It’s a big reason why they’ve become a safety gift: the one thing you can pick up on the sly when you forgot to buy a potted plant for a housewarming party or a more specific Valentine’s Day present. Sometimes they get a bad rep for being [whispers] sorta lazy, but with the right scent in tow, the right occasion, and the right recipient in mind, we think they can actually be perfectly on the money.

And when it comes to candle scents, there are so many winning fragrance notes to choose from. Whether you pick one cute candle to gift your votive-loving best friend or buy a whole set to infuse your home with fragrance from multiple corners, there are options. Some of our favorite candles even come in their own little gift boxes or glass jars so cute you simply have to repurpose them. Below, a range of the best candles (according to our editors) to win the next holiday on your iCal.

• Most Balanced Act: Byredo Bibliotheque, $99
• Best Luxury Candle: Loewe Mimosa Scented Candle, $180
• Celebrity Favorite Scent: Diptyque Red Tubereuse Candle, $115
• Best Herbaceous Scent: Flamingo Estate Adriatic Muscatel Sage Scented Candle, $60 $45
• Best Natural Scent: Malin + Goetz Strawberry Candle, $66
• Best Scent Set: Votive Discover Set by Homecourt, $85
• Sleeper Hit: Obakki No.12 Limbe Candle, $69

Notes: Plum, Cinnamon, Leather Accord, Violet

Byredo’s most popular scent, Bibliothèque, showcases strong notes of warm vanilla and leather, cut by undertones of peach and plum to give a dynamic scent profile—not too heavy, not too floral. “I keep a miniature version of this candle in my bathroom and have gotten many compliments,” says commerce editor Audrey Lee. “I think it appeals to a lot of different palettes so it’s a really versatile option.”

The vessel is what originally drew Lee to this Loewe candle—who can resist a luxury brand’s reusable candle jar—but the scent is “equally captivating. The bright aroma reminds me of a vacation to the Italian coast—lightly floral but not overly sweet, and perfect for the spring and summer.”

Notes: juicy melon, evergreen

Heady, sensual, floral—Diptyque does its best work with this sexy and subtle candle that finds its fragrant roots in the opulent, white-blooming Mexican flower. Young Victorian women were apparently forbidden from inhaling the scent of tuberose lest they have a spontaneous orgasm (!), so gift this ultra-sultry candle very wisely. Medium to extra large sizes come in a deep burgundy worthy of any end table, and it’s worth mentioning this candle has Carina Chaz’ (founder of DedCool) stamp of approval.

Notes: milky, fresh, green

Associate commerce director Lori Keong is a huge fan of Homecourt. “My siblings have told me that this mini candle smells like the ubiquitous pink soap you find in gas stations, but I think it smells like the perfect expression of rose. I leave it out next to me at my home office desk so I can get whiffs of it without needing to light it up, and you know the sweet Hasami-esque ceramic it comes in is not getting tossed to the curb when I eventually burn it all the way down to the bottom.”

Notes: rose, basil, neroli, cedarwood, cardamom, and leather

If you loved the tomato candle from this viral candle brand, you will be floored by this one. Adriatic sage brings the outdoors in—this candle smells like an open window in the height of Italian summer, sunlight on tile floors, and triple servings of pasta to come in the late dusk. Or, you know, just a good candle.

Notes: clary sage, sage brush, and thyme

Looking to capture summer year-round? This candle brings peak produce to the darkest hours, with notes of fresh bergamot and pink pepper with warm musks, jasmine petals, and soft orris root. “I also own the fragrance version of this candle—I can’t get enough of the scent. It’s light, not overly sweet, and super refreshing,” says Audrey.

Notes: sparkling bergamot, mara strawberry, pink pepper

This candle has a “well-traveled smell,” says Harrison. Valencia orange and black pepper meet leather and amyris for a completely unique and earthy aroma that feels worldly—enough to fool someone that the Amazon rug under their feet is actually from Marrakech. Each of these candles are hand-poured in Brooklyn and made with a soy-wax blend.

Notes: Valencia orange, Black pepper, sandalwood

“It’s been long-rumored that Rihanna’s signature scent is the fragrance version of this candle and I can see why she loves it,” says Lee. She calls it sultry, and recommends this for those who don’t love an overpowering votive—”great for a date night where you still want to smell the delicious meal in front of you.” If you can’t drop the $400 on the perfume, but you’re Baccarat-curious, this one comes in at $125.

Notes: Jasmine, saffron, cedarwood, ambergris

We’d be remiss not to include this ever-popular pick from French-fragrance brand Diptyque. Baies is a blissful mix of black currant leaves and fresh roses. This celebrity favorite comes in five sizes to suit your burn time needs, including an extra large (with five wicks).

Notes: berries, black currant, rose

Any scent that can bring us that windows-down feeling is an instant add to cart. It’s easy to feel like a Californian coasting down Highway 1 with this votive—the smell of wet, effusive eucalyptus, and what they call “young green shoots, long spears, and russet underbrush.”

Notes: coastal rain, eucalyptus shoot, magnolia, pacific spray

Boy Smells is the brand of low-lit, relaxed, and romantic evenings. Always flirty and always a great gift, this one has top notes of fig, coconut water, and jasmine, bolstered by more rooting scents like sandalwood and cedarwood.

Notes: coconut water, cardamom, black pepper

Gone viral many a time for their perfumes, Aesop is a master of aromatherapy. This candle’s notes of cedar, cypress, and vetiver are for bringing the outdoors in, a forest bathing technique for the city-dweller.

Notes: Cypress, Cedar and Vetiver

This Nette Suede candle is a forever favorite of commerce writer Julia Harrison, who says, “I’m picky about scents and I really like this one—it’s leathery without being thick and dusty, which similar scent profiles can be guilty of. The violet leaf and cardamom give the candle a levity that makes it a perfect all-season scent.”

Notes: Suede, sandalwood, carrot oil

Palo santo, sandalwood, and clove make this a deeply rich and outdoorsy candle, that smells, as Harrison puts it, “like a chilly California evening.” There’s the tiniest bit of saltiness to the smell, that evokes bonfire by ocean, making it perfect for any room in the house that needs a little dose of the outdoors, whatever the season.

Notes: palo santo, sandalwood, and clove

Take the idea of a tea light to a whole new level with this Earl Grey scented three-wick candle that combines the smell of black tea leaves with bergamot, lemon zest, and peony. It’s soothing for a cold, rainy day, but it will also revitalize—just like your favorite mug of tea always does.

Notes: earl grey, lemon zest, bergamot, peony

Another D.S. & Durga scent we can’t help but mention is this one-of-a-kind Diesel scent that reminds us of a certain Daddy Yankee song. If you’re struggling with gift ideas for a boyfriend or brother, look no further. With base notes of “diesel smoke and earth dirt” for an overall auto repair shop vibe, this is one of the most torqued-up candles on the market for the Valentine whose only two speeds are “fast” and “faster”. Whether as a gag gift or for earnestly setting the mood on Valentine’s Day, consider lighting one up and revving the engine, so to speak.

Notes: saffron leather, suede, vinyl

This designer candle is crisp, delicate, and fruity, with notes of lily, jasmine, and pear to bring the sensation of springtime strolls alongside budding greenery right to your own home.

Notes: Chestnut, Cashmeran, Pink Pepper, Clove

We love P.F. Candle Co. for its rich, long-lasting scents. This particular smell from the brand is herby, as the name suggests, but in a way that is less kitchen and more dewy morning walk through the garden. While earthy, there are some refreshing kicks of lemon and orange rind, which will keep you guessing (in a good way).

Notes: Eucalyptus, sea salt, redwood, and palo santo.