New in 2025

New in 2025

Following my move from England to France and because of various outside circumstances that affect my small business, some things will change in 2025 for my little shop - some because I want to, others because I unfortunately don't have a choice.

Candle making has always been expensive, but with inflation doing its thing, supply prices have been increasing like never before, and keeping up as a small business is tough. Containers, waxes, fragrance oils, wicks, cardboard boxes, paper, etc. are getting more expensive every year, so in 2025, I want to lower the costs as much as I can (without sacrificing quality, obviously) not only for my business to stay afloat, but also to offer affordable products for as long as I can.
 

✦ CANDLE TINS

This is one of the main changes and a decision I haven't taken lightly. This year, I decided to switch from glass jars to metal tins for my candles. Firstly, because they are more affordable than glass jars, which will make a huge difference to my budget and also make my candles more affordable for you. The fact that they are lightweight also means they will cost less to ship (and it will also be easier on me and my back - carrying heavy glass boxes was starting to take its toll). Secondly, both the production process and the recycling process for aluminium tins have a lower environmental impact compared to that of glass jars, and they also have a much lower footprint when it comes to shipping because of their weight. Tins are also obviously less prone to breakage in transit (from my supplier to me, and from me to you) and metal has a higher heat resistance than glass, so tins are less likely to crack or shatter when exposed to high temperatures, making them safer.

✦ SOY WAX & FRAGRANCE OILS

I've sadly had to stop using my favourite wax (the one I've been using since day one) because it's now discontinued in Europe, and ordering it from my UK supplier is way too expensive because of shipping fees, taxes and customs fees. I switched to a new soy wax, made by the same manufacturer (the quality is the same) but available in France. As for the fragrances oils, I sadly had to stop ordering from one of my two favourite UK suppliers (one has a EU branch, the other doesn't). Unfortunately, most of the scents you and I loved the most were made by the one who doesn't have a EU branch, so they will not be available anymore. However I've been testing fragrance oils made in France and I found a supplier I'm happy with, so I will try to find equivalents to make up for it - while keeping scents from my other UK supplier who thankfully has a branch in France.

✦ SHIPPING PRICES

This is nothing new but postal services increase their price every year, so 2025 is no different. La Poste's price increase particularly stings (letters and parcels will cost around 6,8% more) and the minimum price for a parcel has officially crossed the 5€ threshold (5,25€). Unfortunately There's nothing I can do about that, so shipping prices will increase accordingly in my shop.

✦ PACKAGING

Switching to tins means less protective packaging is needed, so I went back to an old favourite to wrap your candles, which is white newspaper offcuts! It's much cheaper than paper bubble wrap and it's 100% recycled and recyclable. Other than that, nothing much will change and your orders remain plastic-free.

✦ FREEBIES

You will always get a teabag in your order, however I decided to stop including free wax melts, mostly because many customers told me they don't own a wax burner and therefore don't know what to do with it (so many probably end up in the bin), but also to decrease the freebie budget which always ends up being compensated in product prices. Instead, I will now offer a thank you card with an illustrated side that you can keep (and the beloved teabag!).

✦ INTERNATIONAL ORDERS

For now, I am still shipping internationally except to all the countries mentioned on my shipping page. However things may change since new EU packaging regulations are about to replace the old ones and make shipping internationally even more complicated than it already was. So I'm keeping an eye on that and I reserve the right to stop shipping internationally if things get too complicated/expensive. Unfortunately I think we're heading towards a world where international shipping will soon be old news for small businesses, since governments keep refusing to adapt their legislation (which are always intended for big businesses) in order to make it easier on us.

 

As always, thank you for still being here in 2025 and whishing you all a very happy new year!

Charlotte x