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The Spark That Started It All

It all began in 1969, when Mike Kittredge, a teenager with a creative streak, didn’t have money to buy a Christmas present for his mom. Instead, he melted crayons in his family’s kitchen to make a simple homemade candle. That small, heartfelt gift quickly caught the attention of a neighbor who wanted to purchase it. Encouraged by the interest, Mike made another one to sell, and just like that, a humble holiday gesture became the foundation of what would grow into a multimillion-dollar business.

From Hobby to Hustle

With growing demand, Mike began making candles in larger quantities. He partnered with two high school friends, and together they opened their first shop in South Hadley, Massachusetts. As word spread, more people fell in love with the quality and fragrance of Yankee Candle’s creations. By the 1970s, the business had outgrown the original small space and moved to a larger facility to keep up with increasing demand.

A Signature Look and Scent

Yankee Candle became widely recognized not just for its fragrance variety, but also for its iconic apothecary-style glass jars with tightly sealed lids. Each candle promised a strong "scent throw"—a term candle lovers use to describe how well a candle's aroma fills a room. The brand was especially known for nostalgic and seasonal scents like Home Sweet Home, Christmas Cookie, and Clean Cotton, which helped establish Yankee Candle as more than just a home decor item—it became part of people’s personal rituals and traditions.

Expansion and Evolution

In 1998, Mike Kittredge sold the company, and over the next few years, Yankee Candle evolved from a small-town favorite to an internationally recognized brand. It expanded into mall kiosks, standalone retail stores, catalogs, and online sales, all while continuing to manufacture candles in the USA. Eventually, in 2013, the company was acquired by Jarden Corporation, which later merged with Newell Rubbermaid to become Newell Brands.

Still Lighting Up Lives

Today, Yankee Candle continues to be a market leader in scented candles and home fragrances. The company offers hundreds of scents across various formats, including wax melts, reed diffusers, room sprays, and even car air fresheners. They release seasonal collections and limited-edition scents that fans eagerly anticipate each year.

Even with its corporate growth and global presence, the brand hasn’t lost its roots. The story of a teenager’s handmade gift still resonates with many, and the warm, familiar fragrances continue to stir emotions, trigger memories, and provide comfort in homes around the world.