Holiday Incense Gift Guide: A Sensory Way to Shop Canadian This Holiday Season
Giving incense as a gift goes far beyond fragrance. It can be the perfect compliment to a variety of gift ideas, you just need to know a little about the scent, flavour or activity perferences of the person you are buying for.
This year, celebrate the season with gifts that delight sight, sound, taste, and scent while supporting Canadian brands and retailers. Whether your recipient is a foodie, music lover, or simply needs a little rest and restoration, you can easily find the perfect incense pairing to match their personality.
For the Sweet Tooth:
Taste and scent are deeply intertwined. Our ability to detect flavours depends on how we perceive aromas. If your gift recipient has a sweet tooth, chances are they’ll also gravitate toward warm, sugary, or creamy incense notes.
Incense scents like Vanilla, Coconut, Amber, Egyptian Musk, and Dragon’s Blood offer comforting soft sweetness; while blends like Love and Bliss add bright lemon and fruity tones.
Cinnamon Spice and our limited-edition Winter incense blend brings a spicy twist that evokes freshly baked treats and cozy nights in.
To complete the sensory experience, pair sweet incense with indulgent local favourites such as handcrafted chocolates from Cocoa40, nostalgic candies from Canada Candy, or seasonal jams from Greaves Jams. Add a liqueur from ZYN or a treat from one of the bakeries featured on Baking for Friends for an unforgettable Made-in-Canada gift.
For the Savoury Soul:
For those who prefer depth and richness over sweetness, lean toward incense with earthy, resinous, or woody notes.
Guidance and Lemongrass incense provide grounding herbal tones, while Sandalwood, Cypress, Frankincense, Canadian Forest, and Evergreen evoke the natural calm of the forest.
Pair these with equally refined flavours. Think artisan cheeses from Fromages du Québec or Saputo, rich oils and vinegars from The Spice Trader, or a bottle from Pearl Morissette Winery. Together, they create a gift that feels sophisticated, grounded, and distinctly Canadian.
For the Music Lover:
Pairing scent with sound creates an experience that’s both nostalgic and immersive. A thoughtfully chosen incense and record combination can set the perfect mood for any music lover.
For those who treasure vintage folk or classic rock, the Vintage Vibes collection is a time capsule in fragrance form, think scents like Patchouli and Sage. These single-note scents awaken memory and warmth, perfect alongside a vinyl find from Sonic Boom or KOPS Records.
For something brighter and more energetic, the Fun & Flirty collection delivers a rush of joy. Try our Rain or Cleansing incense for something refreshing, or light a stick of Jasmine incense for a sweet, playful vibe.
If their taste runs toward ambient soundscapes or meditative beats, the Mystical collection will speak to their spirit. Evergreen, Guidance, and Dragon’s Blood, Cleansing, Meditation and Protection incense offer depth and mystery, perfect for rituals or moments of creative flow.
And when romance is in the air, the Isn’t It Romantic collection sets the tone beautifully. Lilac, Rose, Jasmine, and Abundance bring soft floral elegance, while Egyptian Musk and Amber incense add sensuous warmth, ideal for a night in with slow songs and candlelight.
For the Quiet Thinker:
Some gifts are best enjoyed in solitude, curled up with a book, a puzzle, or a favourite game. For those who cherish quiet focus, incense can help transform a space into a peaceful retreat.
The Walk in the Woods collection captures the serenity of nature with wood based fragrances inspired by the scent of forest air and comforting campfires. Pair these with a thoughtful pastime from Face to Face Games or EB Games for a gift that’s restorative and relaxing.
Not sure what they’ll love? You can’t go wrong with the Best Sellers collection. With blends like Abundance, Cleansing, Protection, Guidance, Egyptian Musk and Sweetgrass there’s something for everyone, from floral and earthy to powdery and warm.
For the Self-Care Enthusiast:
Incense and relaxation go hand in hand. For the person who prioritizes calm and comfort, pair incense with cozy touches that make home feel like a spa. You can also explore how incense enhances a wellness routine in our post on how incense can enhance self care.
Incense Accessories to Complete the Experience:
If you’re gifting incense, a few accessories make the experience complete.
Every incense user needs a reliable burner and something to light it with. Choose from the incense burners that we source from International Gifts, or support a local artisan with a handcrafted ceramic option from Emily Elise Illustrator.
Add a unique lighter from Etsy or a box of beautiful oversized matches from Atkinsons of Vancouver for a complete incense burning kit.
Candles and crystals are also lovely complements, especially for those who keep an altar or ritual space. We love Yummi Candles and Happy Soul Crystals for these popular incense pairing items.
Make incense a part of your holiday gift giving for a full sensory experience
No matter who you’re shopping for, incense adds warmth and intention to any gift. This holiday season, pair scent with flavour, sound, or texture to create something truly personal.
Every stick of incense carries a story, and when paired with thoughtful Canadian finds, it becomes more than fragrance, it becomes a moment of connection.
Written by Flo Ray
