Homesick Let's Toast Candle Review: A Celebration in a Jar?
Author Byline: By David Miller / Last updated on July 26, 2025
Introduction
The email landed in my inbox at 2:17 PM on a Tuesday. It was the one I’d been refreshing my screen for all day, the one that read, “David, we’re thrilled to move forward…” I’d just landed a career-changing client.
My first instinct was to celebrate. But popping a bottle of champagne by myself in my home office felt… a little much. Still, I needed to mark the moment, to bottle that feeling of pure, unadulterated success. My eyes landed on a box I’d been saving for just such an occasion: the Homesick "Let's Toast" Scented Candle.
I’d heard the hype. Homesick has built a reputation on capturing the essence of places and memories. But could a candle really smell like a celebration? Like the clinking of glasses and the fizzy excitement of a big win? Or was it just another overpriced candle with clever marketing?
I decided to find out. If you’re trying to find the perfect gift for a housewarming, a promotion, an anniversary—or, like me, you just want to celebrate a personal victory—this review is for you. I’ve burned this candle down to the very end, and I’m here to tell you if it’s genuinely worth the toast.
Homesick Let's Toast Candle Review: A Celebration in a Jar?
Is the Homesick 'Let's Toast' candle the perfect gift? I burned this celebratory candle for 80 hours to find out. My honest review on its scent, throw, and value.
The Bottom Line Up Front (BLUF)
- Who should buy this? Anyone looking for a unique, celebratory gift or wanting to create an uplifting, festive, and sophisticated atmosphere at home. It’s perfect for marking special occasions.
- Who should skip this? Budget-conscious shoppers or those who strongly dislike bright, citrusy, champagne-like fragrances. This is a specific scent, not a general crowd-pleaser like vanilla.
My Final Score: 8.5/10✨✨✨✨✨✨
What Real Users Love (The Pros)
- Incredibly Authentic Scent Profile: The notes of Mandarin, Grapefruit, and Champagne grapes are blended perfectly. It truly smells like a sparkling, bubbly beverage.
- Why this matters to you: It’s not just a generic ‘fresh’ scent; it genuinely evokes the specific feeling of celebration, making it a powerful mood-setter.
- In my own testing, the first time I lit it, my wife walked in and asked if I'd opened a bottle of Prosecco. That's how spot-on the fragrance is.
- Excellent Scent Throw: This candle effectively fills a medium-to-large room (like a living room or master bedroom) without being cloying or overpowering.
- Why this matters to you: You're getting your money's worth. The fragrance isn't confined to a tiny 2-foot radius around the candle.
- Long, Clean Burn Time: Homesick claims 60-80 hours, and my experience was right in that ballpark. The soy wax blend burns evenly and cleanly, with no tunneling when you follow the instructions (i.e., let the whole top layer melt on the first burn).
- Why this matters to you: An even burn means you get to use every last bit of the expensive wax you paid for, maximizing its value.
- Chic, Minimalist Design: The simple glass jar and clean, elegant label look fantastic in almost any decor, from modern to traditional.
- Why this matters to you: It makes for a confident gift. You don't have to worry about it clashing with your friend's carefully curated living room aesthetic.
Common Complaints & Potential Deal-Breakers (The Cons)
- Premium Price Point: Let’s be honest, this isn't a cheap candle. It's a noticeable step up in price from what you'd find at a big-box store.
- Why this matters to you: This is a 'special occasion' candle or a splurge, not an everyday air freshener. You have to see it as a luxury item.
- Honestly, I hesitated at the price tag myself. It's a definite 'treat yourself' purchase rather than a weekly staple for me.
- Scent Can Be Divisive: While I love it, the sharp, bubbly citrus scent isn't for everyone. If you prefer warm, gourmand, or floral scents, this might be too zesty for your taste.
- Why this matters to you: It's a slightly riskier 'blind buy' if you're unsure of the recipient's fragrance preferences. It's not as universally safe as something like lavender or vanilla.
Feature Deep Dive: Scent Accuracy & Throw
The single biggest question is: Does "Let's Toast" actually deliver on its name? The answer is a resounding yes.
Upon lighting, the top notes of mandarin and grapefruit are immediate. They're bright and juicy, not synthetic or cleaner-like. But the magic is in the mid-note, which Homesick describes as "champagne grapes." It's that slightly fermented, fizzy, almost-yeasty undertone that truly sells the "toast" experience. It elevates the candle from a simple "citrus" scent to something that feels sparkling and effervescent.
I lit it in my 150 sq. ft. home office. Within 20 minutes, a pleasant, noticeable aroma filled the space. It wasn't a punch in the face; it was more like someone had just poured a mimosa in the next room. It was strong enough to be present and set a mood, but subtle enough that it didn't distract me from my work. This is the perfect balance for a home fragrance.
Best Alternatives (The Competition)
- For the Budget-Conscious Celebrator: Bath & Body Works' "Champagne Toast" Candle. This is a very popular and much more affordable alternative. It delivers a similar sweet, bubbly scent profile. The key difference? It's a bit sweeter and less nuanced than the Homesick version, and the packaging is flashier. But for pure value, it's a great pick.
- For the Ultimate Luxury Seeker: Jo Malone London's "Lime Basil & Mandarin" Home Candle. If you want to step up to an even more complex and sophisticated citrus fragrance (and have the budget for it), this is an iconic choice. It's less about a single "celebration" note and more about creating an overall aura of peppery, herbal, citrusy luxury. It's a different vibe, but it's the next level up in home fragrance.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
- Does the Homesick candle tunnel (burn unevenly)?
Not if you burn it correctly. On your first burn, make sure to leave it lit long enough for the entire top layer of wax to melt to the edges of the jar (usually 2-3 hours). This prevents tunneling and ensures you get the full life out of the candle. - Is the "Let's Toast" scent overpowering?
No. It has an excellent "throw" that fills a room, but it's not overpowering or headache-inducing. It strikes a great balance. - How long does the scent linger after you extinguish the flame?
I found the scent lingered pleasantly for about an hour or two in a closed room after blowing it out. - Is this a good gift for someone I don't know well, like a coworker?
It can be, but it's a bit of a risk due to the specific scent. If you know they enjoy bright, fresh scents, it's a fantastic and thoughtful gift. If you're unsure, a more universally loved scent might be a safer bet. - What's the best way to care for the candle?
Always trim the wick to about 1/4 inch before each use. This prevents smoking and an overly large flame, which helps the candle burn longer and cleaner.
Final Thoughts & Recommendation
So, did the "Let's Toast" candle properly commemorate my big career win? Absolutely. For the rest of that week, lighting it for an hour each afternoon was a small, fizzy ritual. It was a tangible reminder of that successful moment, creating an atmosphere of quiet celebration long after the initial thrill of reading that email had passed.
This candle does exactly what it promises: it bottles a feeling.
If you are looking for the perfect, sophisticated gift to mark a milestone—a new home, a new job, an engagement—I can’t recommend this enough. It feels special, it looks great, and the scent is a genuine delight. Yes, it's a splurge, but for a moment that matters, it's worth it.
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We hope this in-depth review helps you make a confident choice! To continue your research, check out some of our other popular guides:
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Now I'd love to hear from you! Drop a comment below with your experience or any questions I didn't cover. I read every single one.
