The Start of a Great Company

On a cold, December night in Massachusetts in 1969, Mike Kittredge, a 17-year-old boy, sat at his family’s kitchen table. Christmas was just around the corner and he didn't have any money to buy a gift for his mother. Fortunately, his desperation led to inspiration. He decided to make a candle for his mother because it would be a completely unique and personal gift, something she would really appreciate.

He knew she was a little nostalgic and that memories and emotions were important to her.

So he created a simple candle from everyday materials he found there in the kitchen, consisting of household wax, a red crayon, some string for a wick and a milk carton for the mould. A neighbour happened to see the candle before he could give it to his mother and was so impressed, she convinced him to sell it to her.

With his new-found “wealth”, the teenager bought enough materials to make two new candles, one for his mother and another to sell. Thus was the start of building a great company.

Sadly, Mike Kittredge passed away in July 2019 – just over 50 years since he created his first candle.

Authentic Fragrances

Whether it's the fresh air and sunshine scent of Clean Cotton®, or one of our other authentic fragrances, we have been sharing our passion for fragrance with the world since 1969.

It is important that every fragrance we launch is true-to-life and realistic to the experience that inspired it, whether that be a flower, food, fruit or place.

Made with quality ingredients

All of our Yankee Candle® scented candles are made at our in-house production facilities in Massachusetts, USA and Most, Czech Republic, with quality ingredients from around the world. Our master candlemakers maintain high standards, commitment and craftsmanship.

Rigorous testing and quality control

Our candles are made by master chandlers (candlemakers) and each candle developed is a complex system of custom blended wax, a unique wick and carefully crafted fragrance.

Master perfumers develop Yankee Candle® fragrances for consistent and satisfying performance across all of our products. Every fragrance is rigorously screened, reviewed and tested by our highly experienced team of fragrance experts to achieve a strong fragrance and quality experience.