Candle Day at Bath & Body Works, the once-a-year event where their $22 3-wick candles go on sale for $8.50, is like Christmas…except there’s no Santa Claus, no reindeer games, no tree, no presents, no going to Midnight mass and freezing your butt off because you got there late, and so you’re stuck sitting in the pews closest to the doors…
So, basically, the only thing it shares in common with Christmas is that it comes but once a year.
Hmm… Maybe that wasn’t the world’s best simile, but whatevs. ?
Candle Day was last Saturday, and I came, I saw, I got my 3-wick candle fix on.
Did you go?! I heard from some gals on Instagram that it was controlled chaos at some stores, with hour-long lines.
I waited until late afternoon to go because I thought the crowds would be less crazy, and even though the shelves had been pretty well picked over by then, I got in and out in less than 15 minutes with a few snazzy goodies.
But, any time you go to one of these sales, if you go late in the day after the first few waves of shoppers, it really does help to set your expectations kind of low. You might find a scent you like, but it might not be available anymore in the design you want, so you have to be cool with that.
I suggest employing a strategy similar to how one might scavenge supplies during the zombie apocalypse. Basically, there’s still good stuff out there, but it’ll be hidden.
Like the Marshmallow Fireside and Sweater Weather candles I got — they were the last of the scents in these particular designs, and I found them on a table toward the back of the store behind a whole bunch of other rand-o scents.
Also, don’t leave without grabbing a cover for your candles, because you can use them to extinguish the wicks. Instead of blowing out the candle, just plop the cap on top.
Unofficial fragrance notes of my B&BW candle haul
Marshmallow Fireside — wet pine needles after the first snow, a crackling log on the fireplace on a chilly night, freshly baked gingerbread cookies
Sweater Weather — a cozy knit blanket that your mom made for you, pine tree trunks, a hot cup of cider
Spiced Apple Toddy — cinnamon sticks, a slice of homemade apple pie, just-peeled orange rinds, cloves
Am I the only person who gets new candles and wants to light all of them at once? I started Marshmallow Fireside on Saturday night, and it took a lot of self-restraint to resist lighting all three at the same time.
Uptown funk gonna give it to you
Check it. This is you and me at the club in a few decades, babe, dancing like no one’s watching.
Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,
Karen
Erin says
http://uproxx.com/tv/snl-emma-stone-candle-gift-music-video/
I had too. Hope it makes you chuckle!
Karen says
Too funny! I’ll never look at a peach candle in the same way ever agin.
Christine says
lol, SATURDAY NIGHT LIVE SKIT! #peachcandle
Karen says
I just googled it! HILARIOUS!
Really though, aren’t B&BW candles the best?
Chris25 says
What are some scents you’d recommend? (This question is open to everyone).
Karen says
My fave is Sweater Weather; this is my second one and I can’t get enough of it. The balsam scents are also good!
Rachel says
I got 5 candles with the idea I might give some away for Christmas. There was one called Cherry Merlot that I might give to my mom because she likes cherry scents/flavors. Right now I’m burning Sparkling Icicles which smells like a fresh men’s cologne. You really can’t go wrong with their candles!
Karen says
Hi Rachel,
I smelled that one and really liked it! There was another men’s cologne one that I liked, too… Black Tie, I think. What other scents did you get?
Rachel says
I also got silver pine & cedar, cinnamon & clove bud, and hot cocoa & cream.
Daphne says
Here in Snellville, Georgia ( a suburb of Atlanta) I waited 1 1/2 hours to buy 3 candles! The crowd was so big, they had to let people into the store in shifts! I got Fresh Balsam, Winter, and Hot Cocoa & Cream – it smells just like chocolate. Next year, I will take your advice, and wait until late in the day and take my chances with whatever is left!.
Karen says
Hi Daphne,
Glad you were able to get some candles. Hot Cocoa & Cream sounds delicious! Wish I could’ve smelled it (it was out at my nearby store). Anywho, Daphne here in the comments has a good tip for next time. While you’re there, grab a few of the year-round scents and then go back in a few days (or weeks or a month) and then exchange it for the scents you really wanted. They’ll do an even exchange, apparently.
Rachel says
Good idea!
Stephanie says
I couldn’t resist this sale either! I totally agree that if you go later in the day many scents are out of stock. This happened to me but here’s a tip! Still take a few of the year round scents and go back in a few days or a week (even next month) and exchange them for the scents you really wanted. They get shipment every few days so you will find those very much desired scents. They will do an even exchange.
Just keep in mind how often you go to the mall and if you your willing to take another trip. But I’m assuming with all this holiday shopping most people are visiting the mall more than normal or doing the complete opposite and avoiding it all together.
Karen says
Stephanie, that’s GENIUS. I’m going to share this with others… What a great tip!
What scents did you get, by the way?
Stephanie says
Oh yeah! lol I picked up Winter and Pure White Cotton! Spiced Apple Toddy and Winter Candle Apple were out so my plan is to get them when I exchange the random ones I got lol and I got some for gifts too!
breyerchic04 says
I’m usually pretty happy with the prices I can get during the $12.50 sales and a $10 off 30 coupon. But yeah I did place an online order during this one, and got two twisted peppermints, a peppermint marshmallow, and a merry cookie.
I’ve gotten into the wax community youtube vids this year and really have had fun getting new candles, I don’t burn that seasonally though so I’ve been buying a lot of fall and winter scents, because they’re my happiest, Warm Apple Pie and Cider Lane are my favorites. And yes I feel a major need to burn them as soon as I get them home!
Kiss & Make-up says
Oh wow, that is a GREAT deal! If we had that here I’d definitely take advantage of it 🙂 I love scented candles, right now I have the Rituals The Ritual of Light one burning.