Let's Be Honest About Valentine's Day
I'll admit it – Valentine's Day has never been my favourite. There's something about the pressure of it all, the expectation that one specific day should be filled with grand romantic gestures and perfect moments. Real life doesn't work like that, does it?
But here's what I've learned over the years: Valentine's Day is actually a lovely excuse to create some intentional warmth. Not the forced, restaurant-booking, overpriced-roses kind. The genuine kind. Whether that's with your partner, your friends, or – and this is important – just for yourself.
The Self-Love Angle (Without the Cringe)
If you're rolling your eyes at another "treat yourself" Valentine's message, I get it. But genuinely, when did you last take an evening to just... be? Not scrolling, not catching up on chores, not thinking about tomorrow's to-do list.
This is where scent comes in. I'm not promising miracles or claiming my wax melts will solve anything – but there's something about lighting a candle or popping a wax melt in your burner that says "this time is mine." It's a small ritual that marks the space between the chaos of the day and whatever calm you can carve out.
For this kind of evening, I'd honestly suggest one of my essential oil blends. Calm has been a personal favourite lately – lavender, clary sage, chamomile and bergamot. Or if you want something a bit more interesting, try Glow with its blend of spearmint, lavender, jasmine and ylang ylang. They're not trying to be anything other than what they are: proper essential oils that smell lovely and help you settle.
If You're Gifting (Or Hinting)
Right, if you're buying for someone special, here's my advice: forget the heart-shaped boxes and think about what actually creates atmosphere. What do cosy evenings at home smell like?
Wood Smoke Vanilla has been that answer for a lot of people. It's got this gorgeous depth – black iris and geranium up top, then jasmine and cardamom in the heart, finishing with vanilla and oud. It's the kind of scent that makes a living room feel like somewhere you actually want to spend time. Romantic without being obviously "Valentine's Day," if that makes sense.
If you're after something more sophisticated, Earl Grey & Cucumber is gorgeous – bergamot, lemon and apple with jasmine and cucumber in the heart, finishing with amber, cedarwood and musk. It's unexpected and elegant. Or Contented, an essential oil blend with cedarwood, ylang ylang and neroli, is perfect for creating a peaceful, intimate atmosphere. Both are the kind of fragrances that make an evening feel a bit more special without trying too hard.
Creating Atmosphere (Without Overthinking It)
Here's the thing about romantic ambiance – it's not about perfection. It's about intentionality. You don't need a spotless house, gourmet cooking, or the perfect playlist. You just need to mark the moment somehow.
A wax melt in your burner (a standard clamshell gives you approximately 88 hours, so one will last you weeks beyond Valentine's). Maybe some actual conversation without phones. Perhaps a film you've both been meaning to watch, or a meal you cook together even if it goes a bit wonky.
The scent is just the supporting act. But it's the kind of supporting act that ties everything together – that sensory cue that says "this is different from a Tuesday evening in front of the telly."
Creating a Scent Collection
If you're not sure what someone would like, or you want to give them variety, consider creating a little Valentine's collection. Pick two or three different clamshells that work across different moods – maybe something calming like Calm or Contented for evenings, something warm like Wood Smoke Vanilla for cosy nights in, and something fresh or sophisticated like Earl Grey & Cucumber for daytime.
Each standard clamshell gives approximately 88 hours of burn time, so you're giving someone weeks of different atmospheres. Mix and match across moods and occasions. Make it personal. That's worth more than a dozen roses that'll be wilted by the weekend.
The Honest Truth
Valentine's Day will be whatever you make it. If you ignore it completely, that's valid. If you go all out, that's lovely too. If you're somewhere in between – maybe just wanting to acknowledge the day without the fuss – that's where I usually land.
Whatever you choose, I hope there's some warmth in it. Some genuine connection, whether that's with someone else or with yourself. And if a wax melt helps create that atmosphere? Well, I'm obviously biased, but I think that's rather nice.
