Everyone has someone on their list who keeps saying, "I have always wanted to try making candles." Or soap. Or their own coffee syrups. This year, give them the push. A sampler bundle is a gift that turns "someday" into a Saturday afternoon project.
Here is how to match the right bundle to the right person, what to add to make it a complete starter kit, and how to wrap it up.
Why a Sampler Bundle Makes a Great Maker Gift
- Five scents or flavors in one box, so they can experiment instead of committing to one
- Priced below buying each separately, with most bundles at $49.95
- Free shipping in the lower 48 on orders of $49.95 or more
- Small, giftable vials that fit in a stocking, a basket, or a shoebox kit
Match the Bundle to the Person
For the future candle maker:
The Flowery Meadow Fragrance Bundle. All five fragrances are rated for candles, from Soothing Lavender to Fig & Oakmoss, so every vial turns into a candle. Pair it with our first candle guide.
For the soap or room spray maker:
The Fresh & Clean Fragrance Bundle. Five clean, fresh scents, all rated for soap and air care. Pair it with our first melt-and-pour soap guide.
For the diffuser lover:
The Woody Essential Oil Bundle, The More Citrus Oil Bundle, or The Mints Essential Oil Bundle. Five essential oils each for $49.95, up to 68% off buying them separately. For a bigger gift, The Flowers Essential Oil Bundle includes two lavenders, lavandin, chamomile, and geranium. Pair any of them with our guide to five easy projects for a first essential oil bundle.
For the home baker:
The Sugary Treats Flavor Bundle (vanilla, rum, dark chocolate, brown sugar, and buttery caramel) is the one for holiday baking. The Fruits Flavor Bundle and The Berry Mix Flavor Bundle suit someone who loves fruit desserts and drinks. Pair any of them with our guide to eight easy ways to use a first flavor sample.
For the drink maker:
The Citrus Flavor Bundle or The Tropical Fruit Flavor Bundle for homemade sodas, lemonades, and mocktails.
Not sure which way they lean? Our Start Here page sorts every bundle by what you want to make.
Turn It Into a Complete Starter Kit
A bundle is the heart of the gift. For a candle or soap maker, adding a few basics means they can start the day they open it. These are easy to find at craft stores or online:
Candle starter add-ons
- A 2 lb bag of soy container wax
- A pack of pre-tabbed cotton wicks and a few 8 oz jars or tins
- A pouring pitcher and a candy thermometer
Soap starter add-ons
- 2 to 5 lb of melt-and-pour soap base
- A silicone soap mold
- A small jar of mica for color
For bakers
- A set of measuring spoons and a favorite recipe card, handwritten
How to Wrap It
- Pack everything in a kraft box or basket lined with crinkle paper.
- Tuck in a handwritten card with a first project idea, like "Make your first lavender candle."
- Add a printed copy of one of our how-to guides so they have instructions on day one.
- Promise a date: offer to make the first batch together.
Order Early
Orders take 3 to 5 business days to process before they ship, and holiday weeks get busy, so order well ahead of your gift date. If you are also buying for a craft fair or making gifts in bulk, our holiday craft fair checklist can help you plan.
From the eScential Team
What One Customer Made
Holly gave our fragrances as homemade Christmas gifts: "I could not come up with a good idea for Christmas gifts this year, so I decided to make candles for everyone. The guys received a candle with the Sword & Shield fragrance, and the girls received the Rosalina fragrance. Everyone seemed to love them. Best homemade Christmas gifts ever!"
If you want to make candles like Holly did, both fragrances allow up to 100% in candles on their IFRA certificates, and each comes as a $15.00 0.5 oz sample. Every fragrance and flavor in our sampler bundles has its spec sheet and safety documents on its product page, so the person you give it to can look up exactly how to use each one.
A Note on Safety
Include a note about using each product for its intended purpose. Fragrance oils are for candles, soap, and home fragrance within the limits on their IFRA (International Fragrance Association) certificates. Essential oils are concentrated and must be diluted before use on skin. Natural flavors are for food and should be used in small amounts as directed. None of these products should be applied undiluted to skin, and fragrance oils and essential oils should never be ingested. Keep all supplies away from children and pets. These statements have not been evaluated by the FDA and are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.
Give the Gift of Making
Candles fade and cookies disappear, but a new hobby lasts. Browse all our Sampler Bundles and find the one that fits the maker on your list.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a good gift for someone who wants to start making candles?
A fragrance sampler bundle with all five scents rated for candles, such as The Flowery Meadow Fragrance Bundle, plus soy wax, wicks, jars, and a pouring pitcher.
How much do the sampler bundles cost?
Most are $49.95 for five items and ship free in the lower 48. The Flowers Essential Oil Bundle and the Citrus Essential Oil Bundle are priced higher.
Do sampler bundles include wax, wicks, or soap base?
No. The bundles include five fragrances, essential oils, or flavors. Wax, wicks, jars, and soap base are easy to add from a craft store.
Which bundle is best for a baker?
The Sugary Treats Flavor Bundle for holiday baking, or The Fruits or Berry Mix Flavor Bundle for fruit desserts.
How early should I order a holiday gift?
Orders take 3 to 5 business days to process before shipping, so order a few weeks ahead of your gift date, especially in December.