Root Candles Bayberry Tapers Review: Luck for the New Year?
A pair of sage green, hand dipped bayberry tapers from a family candle maker in Medina, Ohio. A small gift that comes with its own Christmas story.
Yes, for a family that sets a proper table on Christmas Eve or loves old traditions. The listing notes that bayberry candles are said to bring good luck for the coming year [1]. Skip it if they own no candlesticks; tapers need holders.
By Andrew Pataleta, GiftX founder · Updated October 29, 2026 · Sources
Specs at a glance
| Count | Pair of tapers [1] |
| Height | 9 inches [1] |
| Wax | Beeswax blend [1] |
| Color | Sage, made by continuous dipping [1] |
| Scent | Bayberry with fir balsam, vanilla, patchouli [1] |
| Maker | Root Candles, Medina, Ohio, since 1869 [1] |
Pros and cons
- Needs candlesticks, which many people no longer own
- Only two candles, so they are a one-evening gift
- Sage green may not match every table
The custom behind bayberry
Bayberry tapers are an old American holiday habit. The listing puts it simply: bayberry candles are known to bring good luck for the coming year [1]. Many families light them on Christmas Eve or New Year's Eve and let them burn down.
That story is what makes a pair of candles a gift. Write the custom on the card and the person gets a small ritual, not just wax.
Wax, scent and finish
Root dips these tapers continuously for a solid sage color and a satin finish [1]. The wax is a beeswax blend, and the scent is woody and sweet, with hints of fir balsam, vanilla and patchouli [1].
At the table that matters: a soft scent will not fight the food. A heavy jar candle next to a roast is too much, while a pair of tapers stays in the background.
Candlesticks and other catches
Tapers need holders. If the person has none, the gift arrives half finished, so either add a pair of simple brass candlesticks or choose a jar candle from this guide.
Two candles are also a short gift. They last an evening or two, not a season, which is fine for a custom and less fine for someone who wants a candle every night.
None of this is a flaw in the candles themselves. It simply means they suit a tradition, not a nightly habit, and the card should say so.
A small gift with a story
Root Candles has been making candles in Medina, Ohio, since 1869 and is still family-owned, according to the listing [1]. That history fits a traditional gift.
From this guide, pair the tapers with the Village Candle Christmas Spice jar for a host: the jar for the kitchen, the tapers for the table.
FAQ
Why do people burn bayberry candles at Christmas?
Bayberry candles are an old American holiday tradition said to bring good luck, and the listing repeats that they are known to bring luck for the coming year [1]. Many families light a pair on Christmas Eve or New Year's Eve and let them burn all the way down. Writing the custom on a card turns the tapers into a small ritual [1]
What do Root bayberry tapers smell like?
The listing describes the bayberry fragrance as woody and sweet, with hints of fir balsam, vanilla and natural patchouli oil [1]. It is a gentle scent, quiet enough for a dinner table, rather than a room-filling candle. The tapers are a sage green color with a satin finish from continuous dipping [1]
Are Root candles real beeswax?
These tapers are a beeswax blend, according to the listing, which means beeswax mixed with other waxes rather than pure beeswax [1]. Root Candles is a family-owned company in Medina, Ohio, that has made candles since 1869 [1]. For a pure beeswax candle, look for one labeled one hundred percent beeswax [1]
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Sources and how we checked
- Amazon.com listing for the Root Candles Scented Bayberry Tapers, 9-Inch, 2-Count
Source check: Amazon prices and contents above were checked on October 29, 2026. We did not test these products hands-on. Picks are based on manufacturer specs, Amazon listings and the reasons people actually give these gifts.
As an Amazon Associate, GiftX earns from qualifying purchases. Prices and availability change, so check Amazon for the current price.