5 Holiday Gifts That Have Been Favorites Since Day One

This morning in Illinois, the air was crisp enough to make me stop in my tracks. That chill was the reminder I needed — the holidays are right around the corner here in the Midwest. And honestly? As I’ve gotten older, the holiday season has become my absolute favorite time of year. There’s just something about it: from lighting Smoked Pumpkin Spice candles in October to building LEGO sets in cozy winter pajamas. The season feels like a mix of nostalgia and new traditions.

When I started Einnim in Oak Park, IL back in 2020, I didn’t know which of our ideas would last beyond those early days. But here we are, four years later, and a handful of holiday gifts from our Chicago-area candle studio have become staples — the kinds of things our customers look forward to year after year. They’ve grown right alongside us, and they’re still some of my personal favorites.

Here are five holiday gift ideas from Einnim that continue to spark joy, connection, and a little seasonal magic — all created right here in Illinois.

1. Date Night Candle-Making Kits

Our Date Night Kits will always have a special place in my heart. They started as a way for couples in Chicago and beyond to bring the Einnim candle-making experience home during the quietest days of 2020 — and they’ve stayed popular ever since. Whether it’s a cozy winter night in Oak Brook, a Valentine’s Day surprise in Naperville, or a long-distance “same kit, same night” kind of moment, these kits continue to spark memories (and candles).

✨ Shop the Date Night Kit

2. Candle of the Month Subscription

I’ve always believed in the power of ritual — and our Candle of the Month Subscription has become exactly that for so many of you. Since 2020, it’s been the gift that keeps giving, month after month. I’ve heard stories from families across the Chicago suburbs lighting their subscription candle every Sunday dinner, friends in Evanston gifting each other matching months so they can “share scents” across the miles, and local Oak Park customers who simply love the surprise of discovering something new each month.

✨ Start a Candle Subscription

3. Holiday Gift Discovery Sets

Our Holiday Discovery Sets were designed for people like me — those who can never pick just one. The seasonal version quickly became a favorite because it’s a low-pressure way to try Illinois-made holiday candles without committing to a full jar. Over the years, I’ve seen these given as stocking stuffers, hostess gifts at Chicago holiday parties, and even used as “family samplers” so everyone can vote on their favorite blend. They’re small, thoughtful, and still one of my most recommended gifts.

✨ Explore Discovery Sets

(Take $5 off per person when You book before August 31)

4. In-Home DIY Creative Experiences

Back when we started taking our workshops out of the studio, I couldn’t have predicted how much people would love bringing Einnim into their living rooms. From bachelorette parties in Oak Brook to family holiday nights in the West Loop, our DIY Creative Experiences in Chicago have become an annual tradition for many households. They’re perfect for those who want more than a gift — they want a shared memory. And honestly? These sessions are some of my favorites, too. I get to watch creativity spark and families discover new traditions together.

✨ Book a DIY Creative Experience

5. Self-Care 3-Month Subscription Box

Finally, the Self-Care Subscription Box. This one is personal. When I built it, I was thinking of the people (myself included) who needed little reminders to pause and breathe. Since 2020, this box has become a lifeline for customers gifting care to loved ones going through hard seasons — or to themselves as a promise to slow down. Each month brings a curated mix of candles, bath and body essentials, and small rituals for grounding. It’s a gift that says: “I see you, and you deserve this.”

✨ Send a Self-Care Subscription

Wrapping It All Up

Every year, the holidays sneak up on me. One crisp Chicago morning and suddenly I’m pulling out the fuzzy socks and lighting Smoked Pumpkin Spice like it’s a ritual I’ve always kept. What I’ve learned since starting Einnim is that the best gifts aren’t about how shiny or big they are — they’re about creating moments you’ll actually remember.

Whether it’s a couple laughing over a candle kit, a family discovering their favorite scent together, or someone opening a box that reminds them to slow down and take care of themselves — those are the things that matter.

I love that these five gifts have become part of your traditions, the same way Smoked Pumpkin Spice candles have become part of mine. They remind me why I started Einnim in the first place: to make everyday life just a little more beautiful, a little more intentional, and a lot more connected.

So as the holidays approach in Oak Brook, Chicago, and across Illinois, I hope you find something here that feels like the start of a new tradition.

✨ Shop the full holiday collection online, or stop by one of our local partners to experience Einnim in person.