This Image By Gail. All Others Courtesy of 54 Celsius

Looking towards the holiday season, one of the most buzz-worthy finds at the recent Shoppe Object gift show was The Crandle™, a whimsical creation that merges pure nostalgia with clever design. At first glance, you might swear it’s a cylinder of jellied cranberry sauce just slid out of the can, complete with that smooth, ridged surface we all recognize from decades of holiday dinners. But look closer (or give it a sniff) and you’ll realize it’s actually a candle — one that not only looks but also smells like the real thing.

Lit or unlit, The Crandle™ is the perfect conversation starter for your holiday table, ideally placed right next to the gravy boat, where it’s guaranteed to make your drunk relatives do a double take — just make sure no one tries to eat it.

The Crandle™ is the brainchild Seth and Vikas, two  creative forces at 54 Celsius, a design studio known for turning everyday objects into witty, functional art. Staying true to their playful-meets-purposeful ethos, the duo has also given The Crandle™ a charitable mission: for every candle sold, they’ll donate a can of food to someone in need. Arriving in stores and online  just in time for holiday shopping, it’s an ideal gift for anyone who loves a touch of kitsch with their Christmas cheer.

While its design feels fresh and cheeky, The Crandle™ also taps into a quirky mid-century tradition. Back in the 1950s and ’60s, some hostesses would serve a “cranberry candle salad” — a molded gelatin-and-mayo concoction presented upright with a real candle stuck in the middle. The result was more curious than appetizing, but it lodged itself into the collective memory of American holiday kitsch. The Crandle™ reimagines that visual joke without the questionable flavor profile, making it all about festive scent, cozy glow, and retro charm.

From its uncanny resemblance to canned cranberry sauce to its feel-good give-back factor, The Crandle™ is a little slice of holiday joy designed to make you smile. It’s proof that the season’s best decorations don’t just sparkle — they can spark laughter, nostalgia, and even a good cause.