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Alright, it’s peak holiday candle season. Are you ready? Because I’m not. I’m still processing all of the events that took place this summer, so I have a hard time believing that it’s somehow November, and 2023 is almost over. The ongoing early Black Friday sales hint that, somehow, I’m already behind in decorating—and I consider candles the most important decoration of all, especially during the fall and winter. Whether you’re spending the holidays with your family or celebrating out of town, we could all do with a little more cheer, and luckily, so many stores have stocked up on holiday decor and candles.
Now, if you think it’s a little presumptuous to start filling your home with holiday scents, I have this to say to you: Where’s your holly-jolly spirit? We’re still spending the majority of time at home working, anyways, so why not fill it with a little more jubilance?
If you want your home to smell like buttery cookies or crisp pine trees, you better get shopping. Remember—you need to account for shipping time, just like with holiday gifts. The good news is that, in terms of candles, there are honestly more choices out there than ever before. So many brands have gone all in on candles this year, most likely because they know we’re relying on the little things to bring us joy. From your trendy millennial candle company to your classic tried-and-true staples (ILY, Yankee Candle), you’ll be able to find the aesthetic and scent you’re looking for, no matter what it might be.
Lucky for you, I did the heavy lifting for you and scoured the internet to share the most festive holiday candles. Whether you like sweet, fresh, or spicy candles, there are plenty of options for you, and the best are listed below. I found candles that won’t break the bank and luxe candles for shoppers who want to treat themselves, so the variety is definitely worth a browse.
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Mainstays
- Notes: Warm, cinnamon-dusted pumpkin layer with pure vanilla bean richness, caramel crème, roasted nutmeg, and a spicy dash of golden clove
I’m drooling just thinking about this Creamy Vanilla Pumpkin Candle. Many holiday candles tend to center around a single dessert, but this one blends two classic winter scents, vanilla and pumpkin, into one scrumptious candle.
Threshold
- Notes: Pine and fir wood
- Burn Time: ~25 hours
This tree candle from Target is a cute decorative option that’s sure to bring holiday cheer wherever you put it in your home.
Anthropologie
- Notes: Freshly cut evergreen, effervescent citrus, sparkling white cranberry, sugared plums, and cinnamon
- Burn Time: ~15 hours
If you’re looking for a candle that can double as holiday décor, this glass ornament-shaped one is it. Display it on your kitchen counter, coffee table, or media console for the perfect festive touch.
Voluspa
- Notes: Rosemary, noble fir needles, and glowing amber
- Burn Time: ~100 hours
If you can’t fit a real Christmas tree in your home this year, don’t fret. You can light this candle, close your eyes, take a whiff, and imagine a fully lit tree is right in front of you.
Boy Smells
- Notes: Orange peel, ginger, incense, carrot, nutmeg, apricot, blond tobacco, cardamom, sandalwood, patchouli, and suede
- Burn Time: ~50 hours
In my opinion, this candle smells exactly like the holidays—but with a more luxe twist. Citrus, cardamom, and incense feel cozy and nostalgic.
Anthropologie
- Notes: Freshly cut evergreen, effervescent citrus, sparkling white cranberry, sugared plums, and cinnamon
- Burn Time: ~50 hours
This snow globe-shaped, monogram candle is by far the most giftable candle on this list. Knock out a bunch of holiday gifts in one go by getting one for each of your family members and besties.
Byredo
- Notes: Anise, bitter orange, ginger, clove, cedarwood
- Burn Time: ~60 hours
Bitter orange and star anise make you feel like you’re sipping on a Negroni at a holiday party. This is a warm, inviting, stunning combination of beeswax, ginger, and clove.
Replica
- Notes: Clove oil, chestnut accord, and vanilla accord
- Burn Time: ~40 hours
Curl up and light this baby up! It really smells like chestnuts roasting over an open fire and I’m here for it.
Anthropologie
- Notes: Sweet almond, fresh milk, and whipped cream warmed with cinnamon sticks, brown sugar, and golden honey
- Burn Time: ~20 hours
It was love at first sniff with this Milk & Cookies candle. I’m always chomping at the bit to get my hands on Anthro’s annual release of this candle (new packaging, same heavenly scent!), and I usually buy at least three tins each year.
Homesick
$22.803433% Off
- Notes: Mandarin, grapefruit, apple, pineapple, champagne grapes
- Burn Time: ~80 hours
Pretend you’re taking a stroll past holiday markets with this candle. It smells like mandarin, grapefruit, and apples. With a burn time of up to 80 hours, this cute candle will keep your holiday spirits high for weeks.
NEST
- Notes: Pomegranate, pine, and cloves
- Burn Time: ~60 hours
This NEST holiday candle is one of their classic scents for a reason. With notes of pomegranate, Mandarin orange, pine, cloves, and cinnamon—what’s not to love? Candle lovers with keen noses will be able to catch whiffs of amber vanilla, too.
Diptyque
- Notes: Chestnut, spices, and crisp green accents of fruit
- Burn Time: ~50 hours
‘Tis the season for splurging, and no one does candles better than Diptyque. If you’ve been wanting to try one of these luxe candles, the winter is the perfect time to do it. Diptyque’s limited edition Citrouille scent is like a hug in a jar. The warm, pumpkin smell reminds me of the days growing up that I spent laying on the couch while my mom would bake delicious pumpkin pie. Your home will smell like love with this luxe candle that, in my opinion, is worth every penny.
Otherland
- Notes: Alaskan cedar, smoky embers, and incense
- Burn Time: ~55 hours
If you want a scent to accompany your Yule-log-streaming, check out Otherland’s Kindling Candle. It smells like a mix of smoky embers, Alaskan cedar, and incense.
Yankee Candle
$28.9830.996% Off
- Notes: Vanilla, cinnamon, nutmeg, butter, and sugar
- Burn Time: ~110 hours
Now your home can smell like vanilla, cinnamon, nutmeg and butter all season long. This 22 oz. candle has a 110-hour burn time, and the kind of scent that makes you want to bake, even if you absolutely hate it.
Lulu Candles
- Notes: Vanilla and spices
- Burn Time: ~45 hours
Get yourself a holiday candle for just under $15. This six-ounce soy candle smells just like spiced vanilla, and it’s a slow burner, so you’ll be able to light it all throughout the cold months.
Snif
- Notes: Lily of the valley, moss, cypress, tuberose, cedar, cistus amber, and sandalwood
- Burn Time: ~50 hours
Need a break from your daily grind? This Off the Grid candle will give you that. The mix of amber, lily, musk, and sandalwood scents will metaphorically bring you to a warm cabin in the woods that has the biggest collection of books and the most beautiful statement fireplace you’ve ever seen.
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