13 Pretty, Unique Birthday Candles to Brighten Up Your Celebrations

No birthday cake would be complete without candles to make a wish on. And let's face it: The prettier the candles, the more fun they are to blow out (or, in the age of COVID-19, wave out!). "Great candles can elevate the most ordinary cake," Meredithe Stuart-Smith, the Creative Director and Founder of Meri Meri says. "It's like adding the right jewelry to an outfit."

And while the use of birthday candles on cakes dates back to the 18th century, they're every bit as popular today as they were 300 years ago. "Historically candles have been used for high spiritual events from important holidays to births and deaths," explains Judy Walker, founder of TOPS Malibu. "A flame is considered a blessing at an event." However, with all the birthday candles available on the market, separating the extraordinary options from the so-so can be tricky. That goal, after all, is try and find "candles that make you want to bake a cake," Stuart-Smith says. "Candles turn a cake into a celebration."

Of course, a cake isn't the only way to show off beautiful candles on someone's birthday. "They are a great surprise on a stack of pancakes for a birthday breakfast," Stuart-Smith adds. "I have seen them on a high pile of brownies, as well as doughnuts, too. They could even work on top of an ice cream sundae for some added fun." Searching for some unique birthday candles to top off a loved ones' confection this year? From glitter-dipped styles to colorful ombré candles, sparklers and more, here are several gorgeous birthday candles that will instantly brighten up any celebration. And if there's anything we all need more now than ever before, it's a particularly festive birthday celebration. 

Spell out the occasion with this glitter-flecked candle set—just make sure the cake you bake is big enough to hold all 13 letters!

Shop Now: Creative Converting "Happy Birthday" Glitter Pick Candles, $2.29, target.com.

Not everything that glitters is gold—sometimes that glitter is multi-hued. These extra-long white candles are dipped in different colored glitter, including pale pink, silver, and teal. "I love the colors of our glitter candles and how sparkly they are," says Stuart-Smith.

Shop Now: Meri Meri Multicolor Dipped Glitter Candles, $12.98, amazon.com.

You can always count on cheery yellow candles to brighten up a birthday cake in no time. Made of all-natural, slow-burning beeswax, this golden set comes in eco-friendly packaging to boot.

Shop Now: FiveBeesYard Birthday Beeswax Candles, $10.99, etsy.com.

Don't have a birthday cake to light candles on? No problem. This vanilla cake and frosting-scented candle features notes of butter, cream, sugar cane, and caramel and even provides space on the package for a birthday note.

Shop Now: Homesick Birthday Party Candle, $34, homesick.com.

These candles have a patented design that uses organic salts and metals in a citrate to create a vivid, colorful flame, which corresponds to each candle's hue.

Shop Now: MoMA Store Colored Flame Birthday Candles, $5, store.moma.com.

Why use traditional birthday candles on a cake when you can make a statement with sparklers instead? This delightful set of three star-shaped styles turns even the simplest of cakes into a party.

Shop Now: TOPS Malibu Big Golden Sparkler Wands 3 Stars, $15.50, topsmalibu.com.

The only thing better than cute birthday candles on a cake are ombré-colored ones. Made from pure beeswax, these ivory-colored handmade iterations fade into dreamy hues while burning for added sophistication.

Shop Now: Knot & Bow Ombré Tall Beeswax Party Candles, $12, knotandbow.com.

Complete with hashtags and all, this color-blocked candle set is perfect for your favorite Instagram enthusiast.

Shop Now: Talking Tables Party Time "Happy Birthday" Candles, $6, talkingtables.com.

Looking for a fun spin on traditional spiral birthday candles? This pack features a glittery rose gold swirl design for added flair.

Shop Now: Creative Converting Rose Gold Spiral Birthday Candles, $4.99, thepartydarling.com.

Never underestimate the impact of pretty pastel-hued candle. This set comes in four delicate pastel hues, including pale yellow, lavender, pale pink, and sky blue.

Shop Now: We Heart Pastel Party Candles, $7, theunicornstore.com.

If traditional birthday candles aren't your style, consider one with a printed design instead. This eye-catching candle features a glittery star and a neon-colored tail, as well as two wicks for lighting.

Shop Now: Meri Meri Shooting Star Candle, $8, merimeri.com.

A few colorfully striped candles can go a long way on a cake—especially when they look like these, which feature a playful patterned.

Shop Now: Toot Sweet Pastel Stripes Party Candles, $9.95, swoozies.com.

Bring a touch of color and style to a vanilla confection with these green marbled candles. They also come in pink.

Shop Now: Party City Green Marble Birthday Candles, $2.49, partycity.com.