If You Buy One Thing at Costco This Month, It Should Be This $22 Thanksgiving Centerpiece

When it comes to shopping for holiday decor, Costco might not be the first place you think of, but honestly, maybe it should be! Around the holidays, I’m always finding little touches for my home — whether it’s something traditional like a wreath or more unexpected like a succulent terrarium. On my most recent trip, I spotted a find that I knew instantly would make the perfect centerpiece for my Thanksgiving table: This Sea & Sand Molded Glass Candle.

Priced at $21.99, the 40-ounce Sea & Sand candle is a great value. (I did a bit of online sleuthing and found the same candle selling for as much as $50 elsewhere). It also comes in three different color-and-scent combos: There’s an orange candle with an earthy amber patchouli scent, a white Asian pear-scented candle, and a blue glass candle with a sage & sea salt scent.

Since I knew I’d be cooking with sage and salt (always salt!) this Thanksgiving, I decided to pick up the blue one. I was immediately attracted to the freshness of the fragrance because I wanted something that would be pleasant but not overpowering. In addition to a hint of sage, the essential oil-scented candle includes notes of two of my favorite smells: jasmine and eucalyptus.

The molded glass exterior and carved wood lid makes this candle appear more expensive than it is and, when it’s lit, it brings in a dreamy, almost romantic incandescence to the table. Importantly, with 40 ounces of hand-poured wax and seven cotton wicks, I know this candle will keep burning during dinner and through pie time on the big day.

I also love the timeless look of the candle. It’s versatile enough to style a ton of different ways, and I’m looking forward to burning it long after Thanksgiving has passed.

You could just set the candle on your table and call it a day, but I decided to zhuzh it up a bit. Here’s how I did it.

First, I used a simple burlap placemat to protect the table. Then I placed a small wooden serving board on the placemat to give the candle a bit of height. Next, I layered found branches with mini pinecones (aka yard scores), a dried marigold garland, and a few glittery pinecone Christmas ornaments in a circle around the candle. 

The overall effect is understated yet elegant, not so big that it obstructs anyone’s view. It’s also compact enough to accommodate all the linens, plates, and glasses that will inevitably crowd the table on Turkey Day.