Yankee Candle (YCC) 10-K 2005 FY Annual report

EXHIBIT 32.1

CERTIFICATION PURSUANT TO RULE 13a-14(b) OR RULE 15d-14(b) OF THE SECURITIES
EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934,
AS ADOPTED PURSUANT TO
SECTION 906 OF THE SARBANES-OXLEY ACT OF 2002

In connection with the Annual Report of The Yankee Candle Company, Inc. (the “Company”) on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2005, as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on the date hereof (the “Report”), I, Craig W. Rydin, Chief Executive Officer of the Company, certify pursuant to Rule 13a-14(b) or 15d-14(b) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as adopted pursuant to § 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, that:

     (1) the Report fully complies with the requirements of Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended; and

     (2) the information contained in the Report fairly presents, in all material respects, the financial condition and results of operations of the Company.

/s/ CRAIG W. RYDIN

Craig W. Rydin

Chief Executive Officer

March 10, 2006

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