Give your home a festive fragrance with these deliciously scented Christmas candles

Best Christmas candles

by Arabella Horspool |
Updated on

Tis the season for festive decor - wreaths, garlands, ribbons and of course Christmas candles. There's nothing quite like a warm, toasty Christmas scented candle to warm your heart and give your home a festive glow during the dark, chilly months.

They also make great stocking fillers and can easily elevate your festive tablescape with little effort. Plus, with festive scents including sweet citrus, frankincense, warming cinnamon and spicy cloves, a scented Christmas candles will evoke the spirit of winter in just one whiff.

Editor's choice:

Best classic Christmas candle: The White Company Winter Signature Candle - Buy from The White Company
Best essential oils Christmas candle: NEOM Christmas Wish 3 Wick Candle - Buy from Look Fantastic
Best luxury Christmas candle: Polkra x Katie Scott Candle Collection - Atlas - Buy from Polkra
Best Christmas candle scents: Oliver Bonas Nova Frankincense & Cedarwood Christmas Candle - Buy from Oliver Bonas

Whether you're looking to keep it simple with a classic white candle or create a stunning festive table with unique shaped candles, fairy lights, pinecones and Christmas crackers, there's plenty of winter candles to choose from.

Shop our edit of the best smelling candles for Christmas below.

The best scented Christmas candles 2024

Best classic Christmas candle

The White Company - Best Christmas candlesThe White Company

One of the bestselling Christmas candles from The White Company is their Winter Signature. It was created over 21 years ago by their founder and has stayed popular for a reason. It captures the essence of Christmas with the spicy and warming scent and notes of cinnamon, clove and orange.

A reviewer said: "A beautiful scented candle... My daughter's favourite candle and mine too. A gentle but wonderful scent that fills the home, helps you relax. A very fresh but relaxing perfume; I love it."

Pros

  • Simple crystal glass container
  • Wick creates an even burn

Cons

  • Shorter burn time than other options
Burn time:33 hours
Size:H8.5 x W7 x L7cm
Weight:140G

Best essential oils Christmas candle

This Neom Christmas candle has a comforting blend of 13 pure essential oils that will help you unwind and relax during the busy festive period. We love the brightly coloured packaging and warming notes of cinnamon, mandarin and Tonka to name a few.

Issy, a reviewer said: "This candle smells soo festive and it's beautiful packaging makes it perfect for gifting this Christmas. It has a really nice balance of citrus and woody scents. I can't wait to light when hosting or even for a cosy night in."

Pros

  • Three wicks for a longer burn time
  • Recylable packaging

Cons

  • Burn for about 2 hours to get the best amount of fragrance
Burn time:55 hours
Weight:420g

Best art nouveau inspired Christmas candle

ceramic patterned candle holder with candleAnthropologie

This season, this stylish brand is raising a glass to the Gilded Age – and to an American institution, The Met. Transport yourself to the era’s swirling Art Nouveau patterns, with this limited-edition collection that represents modern elegance and timeless cheer…we’ll toast to that!

Pros

  • A fresh cedarwood and balsam scent
  • Clear instructions on the base

Cons

  • Glass top so be careful when handling it
Burn time:50 hours
Size:20 x 10 cm
Weight:326g

Best Christmas candle scents

Oliver Bonas - Best Christmas candlesOliver Bonas
Price: $11 (was 22.50)

www.oliverbonas.com

With 40 hours of burning time, this warm and welcoming fragrance is nice to have when you have guests over for the festive season, or if you're simply relaxing on the sofa in the evening. The little gold foil additions to the the print on the box and sticker are so cute.

A reviewer said: "I bought as a gift so can't comment on burning but smells divine and Christmassy without being sickly sweet or overpowering."
Another reviewer put: "A beautiful candle that smells amazing and very Christmassy. I bought it as a present and they loved it."

Pros

  • Hand-poured with care
  • Option to add a giftbox

Cons

  • Some say it's a little overpowering
Burn time:40 hours
Size:8x7x7 cm
Weight:140g

Best Yankee Christmas candles

Yankee Candle - Best Christmas candlesYankee Candle
Price: $35.14
Alternative retailers
Walmart$21.90View offer
FragranceNet.com$22.39View offer
Macy's$26.49View offer
Blain Farm & Fleet$29.99View offer

Of course, it wouldn't be Christmas without a Yankee Candle (or 10) and this is one of the classics. A large jar should provide you with notes of pine, eucalyptus, birch and balsam all through December, thanks to the lengthy 150 hours of burn time.

A reviewer said: "I decided last Christmas that I should try and be a bot more festive, so pushed the boat out with some Yankee Candles. This one was perfect. Not too much in your face scent wise, which is perfect you don't want cinnamon rammed down your throat. I really liked it and got many nice comments from guests."

Pros

  • Available in a selection of jar sizes
  • Lid included

Cons

  • A couple of reviewers say it produces too much soot
Burn time:150 hours
Size:17H x 10W cm
Weight:623g

Best affordable Christmas candle

Light up LED Christmas candle of London skylineMarks and Spencer

M&S always have marvellous Christmas candles and this year they have a selection of small and affordable options to kit your home out with (or gift to your family or friends). This one depicts the London skyline and when you light the wick it will cause the LED lights around it to turn on. It's infused with neroli, lime and bergamot and is surrounded by glitter gel.

Pros

  • Vegan formula
  • Glittery for extra light

Cons

  • The LEDs are a one-time use only
Burn time:20 hours
Size:10.5 x 10.5 x 10.5 cm

Best advent calendar Christmas candle

Countdown to the big day with this advent calendar candle from Not On The High Street. Immerse yourself in the spirit of the holiday season with this personalised candle which gives you a contemporary twist on the traditional advent calendar. Mark off each day as you get closer and closer to Christmas.

Pros

  • Non-toxic soy wax
  • Can reuse the jar
  • Varying scents

Cons

  • No reviews yet
Size: 15cm (H) x 10cm (W)

Best luxury Christmas candle

Polkra - Best Christmas candlesPolkra

This 100 percent natural wax candle boasts gorgeous scents of musk, cedar wood balance, cassis and mandarin, to create a warm Christmassy fragrance. We love the hand-illustrated design - it's worth paying that little bit extra for!

A reviewer put: "This candle is delicious and beautiful. It’s become a staple in our household. If you’re a fan of fig, red currant and citrus - this warming and fresh flavour is great."
Kate, another reviewer said: "I love the beautifully decorated pot - it's very unique. The fig smell is delicious. Having spent an absolute fortune trying to find good candles I am relieved to have found Polkra’s beautiful collection. I will buy more."

Pros

  • Beautifully designed by hand
  • Wax from natural sources

Cons

  • When empty, don't put it in the dishwasher
Burn time:45 hours
Size:10 cm x 8.6 cm
Weight:600g

Best Christmas candle that smells like a Christmas tree

Green Christmas candle from DiptyqueDiptyque Paris

Enjoy the enveloping notes of pine this holiday season. The limited edition small Sapin (Pine Tree) candle comes with a stylish felt label and is ideal as a gift – or for self-gifting! Created by British contemporary artist Lucy Sparrow, who takes the symbols of winter and recreates a magical, festive candle for the season with added notes of cedar and patchouli.

Pros

  • Iconic candle jar
  • Limited edition

Cons

  • Small candle
Burn time:55 hours
Weight:190g

Best personalised Christmas candle

Personalised reindeer candle Dunelm

A safer alternative for young children to be gifted, these LED candles will instantly add a festive glow to your Christmas home and décor. This LED candle creates a cosy and inviting atmosphere and has a lovely, warm flame effect.

Pros

  • Warm white light
  • Easy to wipe clean
  • Coated in real wax.

Cons

  • Batteries aren't included
Size:15.3 x1.5 cm

Best festive pudding scented Christmas candle

Shearer Candle ginger and cranberry Christmas candleAmazon
Price: $14.99

Hand-poured in Cornwall, the lovely waft of fragrance you get from this St Eval candle as soon as you open the lid just screams Christmas. They use a combination of mineral and vegetable wax, to give you a stable burn. Enjoy scents of zesty orange, sweet figs and spicy cloves on a bed of vanilla musk.

A reviewer said: "I love St Eval candles and this has become my absolute favourite. It’s like receiving a warm, comforting hug and evoking all that’s good. It's not too overpowering in strength, like some of the Christmassy ones can be, which for me it makes all the more delightful and for any time in the year when you need a warm hug."

Pros

  • Budget friendly price
  • Not too overpowering

Cons

  • In a tin so you can't always see how much wax is left
Burn time:45 hours
Weight:290g

Best Christmas tin candle

Shearer Candle ginger and cranberry Christmas candleAmazon
Price: $7.99

Whether you’re warming some essentials or heating up your room, you can’t go wrong with some Christmas tealight candles! This particular scent from Shearer Candles is fruity with a bit of a ginger kick. There's 8 in total, so you should get lots of use out of them.

A reviewer put: "I love strong scented candles so that’s why I bought them. I am extremely disappointed when candles don’t deliver, but I caved in and got a pack. I have to say hand on heart that these candles DO smell and strong as well so I’m chuffed with that."

Pros

  • An added splash of orange liqueur and a hint of fiery ginger spice
  • Small tins so perfect for stocking fillers

Cons

  • A few reviewers say that they smell different to the description
Burn time:5 hours (per tealight)
Size:8 x 3.8 x 8 cm
Weight:17g

Best Christmas candle tin

Lily-flame - Best Christmas candlesJohn Lewis

An aromatic blend of classic festive fragrances such as cloves and cinnamon encased in a red and gold tin. Inside, you will find red, orange and green pieces of wax too.

A reviewer said: "I love the scent of this candle and amazing value when you compare it to similar candles. I buy it every year and it truly makes me feel Christmassy."
Jo, another reviewer said: "I love this scent! It calms me down and creates a wonderful Christmas mood in the house, making the joy last even after Christmas is over."

Pros

  • Lightweight candle
  • Easy to manouevre

Cons

  • Container is perhaps not the prettiest
Burn time:35 hours
Size:H6.5 x W7 x D7 cm
Weight:230g

Best luxury Christmas candle

Red espa Christmas candle with gold lidEspa
Price: $31.50 (was £45)

www.espaskincare.com

Experience festive fragrance to delight the senses and spirit this year. Filled with the warming aroma of Sweet Orange, Clove, Cinnamon and Ginger warm your space with festive spice and comfort. Hand poured and crafted from natural soy wax and pure essential oils, take a moment of joy and merriment as you inhale this wintry scent.

One customer waxed lyrical about it: "I bought this again after having a large one last year. For me this is Xmas all wrapped up in beautiful candle. When I come in through my front door the scent is so beautiful and lasts for a long time. The candle itself burns well as long as you keep trimming the wick."

Pros

  • Comes boxed
  • Made from non-toxic wax

Cons

  • Strong scent so may not be suitable for those who want something subtle
Burn time:45 hours
Size:8W x 9H cm
Weight:0.28kg

Best reusable jar

Daylesford - Best Christmas candlesDaylesford

With a 52 hour burn time, this candle is scented with fig, which is said to relieve stress, making it perfect for those busy days in the run-up to the big day.

Reviewed by Arabella Horspool, our Commercial Content Writer: "This Daylesford candle smells wonderful and I love that you can reuse the jar once the wax has finally burnt away. It makes a fantastic gift for people that like to collect candles.

Pros

  • Long burn time
  • Reusable jar

Cons

  • Quit heavy
Burn time:52 hours

Best budget Christmas candles

Up next is this unique soy wax pinecone candle from VS Homeware. This pretty Christmas candle is ideal for dotting around your home or placing or using it as part of a tablescape on Christmas day.
A reviewer said: "Lovely item, perfectly packaged and came on time as expected, ideal Christmas present for my MIL."

Pros

  • Comes in a variety of colours
  • Comes in a variety of scents
  • Soy wax candle
  • Can order it without a scent

Cons

  • Indoor use only
Size:11.5 x 12 cm

Things to consider when buying a Christmas candle

Usage - First things first, you need to decide what you’ll be using it for. Will it be part of a Christmas table display or will you be placing them on your mantelpiece? Or, Is it a stocking filler or gift for a friend or family member?

Size - Once you’ve figured out where you might put the candle, check how big it is. If you’re placing it on the dining room table for example, it may take up too much space.

Burn time - Most websites should tell you how long the candle will burn for (on average). If you want to get a lot of use out of it during the festive period, it’s worth investing in a larger candle.

Wax - The type of wax is important in a candle. Paraffin wax has been proven to produce more spot than soy alternatives, so it is best to avoid that if you don’t have ample ventilation. If you want a wax that is clean-burning, comes from a renewable source and burns longer, soy might be the way to go.

Scent - There are many Christmas fragrances on offer this time of year or you can keep it simple with a vanilla or non-fragranced candle. If you're buying one for somebody else, think about the scents they may like based on the types of perfumes they wear or the candles they already own. Remember, some scents are more overpowering than others, so you may want to only burn them for a short period of time or away from other candles.

Arabella Horspool is a Commercial Content Writer for Mother&Baby and Yours at Bauer Media. She's a bookworm who enjoys cooking and spending time with her many pets.

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