The Gift of Light: Exploring the Timeless Tradition of Giving Candles

In the hustle and bustle of holiday shopping, where endless lists and crowded stores await, we often forget that the most meaningful gifts are often those steeped in tradition and rich with symbolism. Sometimes, the perfect present isn’t the flashiest or most expensive but the one with thousands of years of sentiment behind it—a simple candle. For centuries, candles have been given to symbolize hope, love, and light, especially during winter’s darkest days.

At The Sabal Collection, we’re honored to bring this ancient tradition into your homes, offering luxurious, vegan, and non-toxic candles that carry the warmth and beauty of history. Giving candles as gifts is a tradition woven through countless cultures and eras, embodying light, love, and hope. Join us on a journey through time as we explore the fascinating origins of gifting candles, and discover why this humble, radiant gift has captivated people’s hearts across cultures and centuries.

Let’s dive into the legacy of light—and the timeless power of a candle.

Roman Era: Celebrating Light During Saturnalia

One of the earliest recorded traditions of gifting candles comes from ancient Rome. During Saturnalia, a winter sowing festival honoring Saturn, Romans celebrated with feasts, revelry, and exchanging small, meaningful gifts. Among the most popular gifts was the cerei—a wax candle symbolizing the return of light after the winter solstice. This gesture wasn’t just practical; it represented hope, the warmth of community, and the promise of longer, brighter days ahead. In giving a candle, the Romans celebrated the gift of light, an enduring symbol still embraced today.

Ancient Greece: Warding Off Spirits and Celebrating Life

The ancient Greeks, too, held a unique tradition involving candles, especially when celebrating birthdays. They believed that evil spirits haunted people on their birthdays, so they placed candles on cakes to ward off these spirits. Friends and family gathered to offer gifts, wishes, and lighted candles to protect their loved ones, surrounding them with warmth, protection, and positivity. This custom may well be the precursor to our own tradition of birthday candles and also highlights the power of a simple flame to convey goodwill and care.

Christmas: The Glow of Candles Through Time

By the 1600s, the tradition of incorporating candles into Christmas celebrations was flourishing in Germany. Lit candles adorned Christmas trees, symbolizing the presence of light and hope during the darkest days of winter. Early American colonists extended this tradition by placing candles in windows, a beacon of warmth and hospitality. The candle’s symbolic connection to Christmas—representing guidance, warmth, and spiritual light—has become an essential part of holiday traditions worldwide.

The 20th Century: A Modern Candle Renaissance

In the 20th century, candles became more accessible as the U.S. oil and meatpacking industries grew, producing paraffin and tallow for candle-making. In the 1990s, a renaissance in candle-making took place, with new waxes and luxurious options for scented and decorative candles entering the market. Candles transformed from functional items to personal, luxurious gifts, making them perfect for a meaningful present that both honors tradition and brings joy.

Candles as Gifts Today: A Timeless Gesture of Love and Light

Throughout history, candles have come to symbolize light, warmth, guidance, and the promise of brighter days. They remind us that even during the coldest, darkest months, warmth and love are never far away. Giving a candle as a gift is a way to honor this tradition and connect with those we love.

At The Sabal Collection, we’re delighted to be part of your holiday gift-giving tradition. Thank you for allowing us to contribute to a centuries-old custom of gifting light and warmth, helping you share love, and honor tradition. This holiday season, give a gift that embodies more than just fragrance and beauty—give the gift of history, meaning, and a little glow of hope.

Happy holidays from all of us at The Sabal Collection, and may your days be filled with light, love, and cherished memories.