‘Tis the season to be bombarded with all manner of cheaply made nonsense all wrapped up in a pretty bow. Of all the gifts we trade, candles are pretty high on the list. Unfortunately, most of them are some frightening synthetic mix of waxes and chemicals better suited as a paperweight than ever lit. If you’re a person who actually likes candles (raises hand), demand that they come from one of the most impressive new candle-makers on the market.

FVITH is the brainchild of two Los Angeles siblings. This fledgling company is as shrouded in mystery as one could ever be. Without having actually met Amanda (the sister) –  in a whirlwind attempt to do my job and beat parking enforcement before they discovered I’d been parked past my designated time – I might not know anything about it at all. Both the Instagram and Facebook pages are visual, if a bit cryptic. I’m not sure how valuable this is for business on a capitalist scale, but when you light one of these candles… you get it. So much work goes into layering each scent. Not for the faint of heart, these fragrances envelop you and pull you into feeling and memory all at once. There might be one (one) scent for the candle novice: Said The Sky contains Red Currant, an ingredient you’ll find in many seasonal candles. But most of them are layered with earthy incarnations of Sandalwood, Frankincense, Amber, and Oud. The most notable blends lie in Memphis: a rich blend of apple, brandy, vanilla and tonka bean, and Raven: a decadent blend of frankincense, oud and vanilla. If florals are your thing, Black Rose answers the call with a layer of rose over sandalwood and oud. Each ingredient is beautifully displayed with both its own identity and in harmony with the others.

Practically, the candles burn evenly with a significant scent throw. The wicks are sturdy and hold up, even when lit for hours. Both the jar and the candle wax is black, so there’s no visible staining as the candle recedes. When you extinguish, there is a minimal scent interruption and no visible soot during or after the burn. They are beautifully packaged and presented, and it’s clear that a lot of thought and care went into each candle’s creation.

If there is a downside, it’s that you’ll have to wait before getting your hands on one of these candles. Most of them are back-ordered until mid-December. But if you’re lucky enough to get your hands on one, breathe deep, because you’ll know that without a doubt… they are worth the wait.