Find the most scented holiday candles for any space.
If you purchase an independently reviewed product or service through a link on our website, WWD may receive an affiliate commission.
Whether it’s the whiff of freshly cut spruce, the delicious scent of candied ginger, or the sweet vanilla and cinnamon wafting through your home, the best Christmas candles are a quick way to get into the holiday spirit. While they play second fiddle to seasonal symbols like the tree or menorah, we’re hard-pressed to think of a home accessory that delivers as quickly as an intoxicating holiday scent.
Every year, leading fragrance brands unveil their holiday collections with great fanfare, either reissuing stars from previous winters or debuting new compositions that align with trends in women’s fragrances and colognes. Take, for example, this year’s smattering of scented holiday candles, which align with the recent surge in gourmand fragrances (the term has racked up more than 163 million views on TikTok). Of course, there are always classic holiday candle scents to choose from, with woody notes of pine, cedar, and birch, as well as citrusy and spicy undertones.
In addition to the variety of energizing scents, holiday luxury candles come in all shapes and sizes, from miniature sets to giant centerpiece-worthy vessels, and of course, prices vary accordingly. That means you have plenty of options when shopping for yourself or buying a Christmas candle as a gift for your wife, best friend, or in-laws (candle gifts are a winner for the most complex gifts on your gift list).
But here’s the thing: Holiday candles come and go quickly, with most options only available in the weeks leading up to December 25. Once these limited-edition scents sell out, they’re usually gone forever. Ahead, the best Christmas candles to buy while you can, from citrusy and sweet to warm and woodsy.
Nest Holiday Candle
Nest candles are known for their powerful throw this 8-ounce option is powerful enough to fill your living room with notes of clove, cinnamon, and pine in minutes. When this seasonal candle hits the market each November, it quickly climbs Amazon’s best-seller lists, with thousands of testers (7,000, to be exact) raving about the sophisticated scent. WWD Shop editors love to package it with cookies or cocktail napkins as a hostess gift for the holidays.
Diptyque Set of 3 Holiday Candles
Year after year, Diptyque’s holiday candles have captivated us with unexpected scents that go beyond basic pine and cinnamon. For 2023, the luxury candle brand has released a limited-edition collection inspired by flickering flames. The trio includes scents ranging from powdery musk to patchouli and vanilla, as well as a more traditional cedar candle. Aside from the gilded packaging, you’ll love that these votives are just as eye-catching on their own as they are lit together.
Voluspa Candle Garland of Noble Fir
Decorating the halls on a budget? Voluspa’s Noble Fir Garland candle exudes notes of juniper, cedar, cardamom, and amber for an expensive effect despite its under-$30 price tag. The woody scent comes in a decorative glass jar with a garland and a 40-hour burn time, making it a fun treat this month.
Homecourt Balsam Fireplace Candle
Courteney Cox’s home line, Homecourt, has a knack for making TikTok-famous products searches for the brand’s candles have racked up more than 50 million views on the app. What’s to love? Aside from the stunning ceramic vessels, these candles feature carefully crafted scents. Balsam Fireplace (which quickly sold out last year) returns for 2023 in all its spicy, cozy glory, with notes of juniper, salty amber, cardamom, and papyrus.
Maison Francisco Kurkdjian Jasmin d’Hiver Candle
Opt for something a little different with Maison Francisco Kurkdjian’s limited edition holiday candle. Instead of the traditional Christmas candle scents, this one combines jasmine with a hint of mango. Trust us, these notes create a festive floral effect. Packaged in porcelain, Jasmin d’Hiver is a luxurious choice that works as both a gift for women and a gift for men.
Molton Brown Marvelous Mandarin & Spice Candle
If you like hot toddy your favorite sip this time of year, your senses will drink in every bit of the wonderful tangerine and Molton Brown scent. Spiced candle. Citrus, cinnamon and ginger create a delicious aroma wherever you light it – we suggest the kitchen. What’s more, this festive candle is made from 100 percent recycled materials.
Byredo Choco Mascarpone Candle
You don’t have to bake a che de noël to experience the taste of dessert. Simply light Byredo’s Choco Mascarpone candle, which has a subtle, non-cloying scent with notes of brown sugar and dark chocolate. Coffee, jasmine and patchouli balance the sweetness for a deliciously rich scent.
Thyme Candle Frasier Fir
Few candles smell like a real Christmas tree, but Thyme’ Holiday Candle is as close as you’ll get to a freshly cut fir tree. With forest-inspired notes of pine and cedar, it’s so realistic that we recommend lighting it with a faux tree to imagining the real thing.
Trudon Gabriel Candle
“It’s time to celebrate big, and in our books, that means splurging on Gabriel Trudon’s giant candle. With five wicks and a burn time of over 200 hours, you’ll be enjoying notes of candied chestnuts, wood, and birch for months on end. Previously a limited edition, this scent is so popular it’s available year-round—trust me, you’ll be able to light this after the 25th.
Candle for winter room in the barn
Sensitive noses can capture the scent of the holidays with the Winter Barn Room Candle. Made with natural soy wax and essential oils, this festive candle contains a heady blend of ylang ylang, neroli, cinnamon, and clove. Light it by the bath at night or share it with a loved one as a cozy gift.
Boy Smells Holiday Votive Candle Trio
You’ll have a hard time choosing a favorite from this trio of Boy Smells holiday candles. The included scents range from citrusy to spicy to warm, and Broken Rosary gets high marks from our WWD shop editors. The metallic packaging will brighten up any December table.
Joe Malone Ginger Biscuit Candle
Pro tip: Holiday candles make great gifts for moms. But whether you’re buying for her or yourself, you can’t go wrong with Jo Malone’s new Ginger Biscuit Candle. With toasted hazelnuts, tonka beans, and, of course, gingerbread, this luxurious scent will waft through every corner of your home when you light it.
Ralph Lauren Holiday Candle
Consider yourself lucky to have snagged this Ralph Lauren Candle – it’s already sold out on the brand’s website. A berry pick, it features notes of redcurrant and juniper, which combine to create a bittersweet effect you’ll love lighting up in your living room.
Leave a Reply