I accumulate candles like they’re stamps, baseball cards, or any other traditionally collectible item. I love how they make my home smell warm and inviting (much to the enjoyment of my guests). Between the softly flickering flame and a drifting, lingering scent, they create an ambiance like nothing else. That’s especially true during the holiday season when fresh pine, smoke, and citrus scents fill the air.
Don’t think I’ll buy just any holiday candle, though. I’m a discerning beauty editor, and I require a candle to meet three requirements before I make it my own. First, it must be long-lasting. Second, the scent must be intoxicating. Third, the vessel must be chic. (Yes, candles double as home décor.) And after spending an undisclosed amount of time searching the internet, I think I’ve finally found the best holiday candles to buy this year. Keep scrolling to see the 13 that made my list.
Alo
Holiday Candle
Fragrance notes: Canadian pine, cedarwood, maple leaf, bergamot
I’ve been burning this chic holiday candle on my coffee table for the last few weeks. I love its minimalist glass design and the fresh, winter-forest scent, but the best part is its crackling wood wick. It’s the perfect ambient background noise on a winter night.
Vacation
Royal Pine Deluxe Luxury Scented Candle
Fragrance notes: Balsam pine, Siberian pine needle, Norwegian spruce, mountain grove cedar, winter moss, mountain air, cashmere, tonka bean panna cotta
This ’80s-inspired holiday candle gives a cheeky nod to the Swiss ski chalets of yesteryear. Whenever I catch a whiff of its fresh and nostalgic scent, I’m instantly reminded of Wham!’s “Last Christmas” music video from 1984 (yes, that’s the highest praise I could offer). Funnily enough, the music video in question was filmed at an actual Swiss ski chalet. No wonder I’m reminded of it.
Snif
Winter Wander Candle
Fragrance notes: Vanilla, brown sugar, forest pepper, mistletoe, frosted fir, Siberian pine, tonka bean
If warm, creamy, gourmand scents are more your speed, I recommend Snif’s Winter Wander Candle. The vanilla, brown sugar, and tonka bean warm up an otherwise fresh, foresty scent. The brand describes it as being reminiscent of a “dreamy, snow-covered holiday,” and I couldn’t agree more.
Jenni Kayne
Aspen Glass Candle
Fragrance notes: Balsam fir, eucalyptus, cypress, grapefruit
Jenni Kayne’s candles are so chic, so when I saw winter and holiday-specific scents were available, I immediately ordered three, including this one called Aspen. While I admittedly have yet to smell it in person, I know I’ll be obsessed with the combination of balsam fir, eucalyptus, and cypress—complete with a kick of tart grapefruit.
Jenni Kayne
Holiday Votive Gift Set
I also ordered this Holiday Votive Gift Set. It contains four small sizes of Jenni Kayne’s holiday scents. There’s the aforementioned Aspen, as well as Vail, Telluride, and Sun Valley. The first is a spicy, gourmand combination of clove, musk, ginger, and nutmeg. The second is darker and smokier with notes of dark berry, amber, musk, and ginger. The third is a classic winter scent composed of cinnamon bark, fir needle, cedarwood, and vanilla.
Phlur
Wild Balsam Candle
Fragrance notes: Bergamot, green pine needle, silver fir, wild balsam, fresh juniper, amber, rosemary, white birch, cedarwood, musk
I love Phlur. I own almost every perfume the brand has ever made, and I’ve recently made my foray into Phlur candles too. This one, called Wild Balsam, is a classic holiday-winter scent. My boyfriend said it reminds him of cutting down a Christmas tree, and I couldn’t agree more. It makes my house—which is currently stuffy and closed up to the cold—smell fresh and crisp.
Phlur
Currant Crush Candle
Fragrance notes: Mandarin, rhubarb, red currant, passionfruit, cassis, peony, rose petals, moss, musk
This candle that’s equal parts floral and fruity reminds me of the cranberry sauce that’s always found on my family’s holiday dinner table. With notes of mandarin, rhubarb, and red currant intermingled with fresh florals, it’s just as delightful.
Phlur
Vanilla Smoke Candle
Fragrance notes: bergamot, pink pepper, birch, cacao blanc, cashmere vanilla, tonka bean, incense, Peru balsam, amber
This is the latest candle to launch from the brand. In my opinion, this scent goes beyond the holidays, and I’ll be burning it all winter long. That’s because classic holiday fragrance notes like balsam and birch are swirled with less-common fragrance notes like bergamot, pink pepper, and incense. The brand says this candle is “for an intimate and cozy night in.” Okay, if you insist.
Krigler
Opus Verde Good Fir 11 Scented Candle
Fragrance notes: Pink pepper, bitter orange, banana leaf, tuberose, porcelain rose, ginger, nutmeg, aquatic note, vetiver, tobacco, mineral, moss, white musk
If you really want to impress your guests and/or feel chic and sophisticated, I recommend Krigler’s Opus Verde Good Fir 11 Scented Candle. It was created by Albert Krigler, the founder of the House of Krigler after he visited the Colorado mountains in 1910. As such, it smells fresh, cozy, and luxurious. Oh, did I mention it’s housed in a handblown green glass? C’ést chic.
Carriere Freres
Winter Forest Candle
Fragrance notes: Fir, juniper, eucalyptus, cedar, moss
A true forest scent is this French candle that includes notes of fir, juniper, eucalyptus, cedar, and moss. It reminds me of walking along a snowy path on a bright, December day.
Carriere Freres
Winter Fire Candle
Fragrance notes: Cinnamon, clove, candied fruit, white flowers, cashmere wood, honey, leather, sandalwood, patchouli
This aromatic blend of spice, floral, and wood notes creates an immersive effect that’s inspired by winter teatime. It might encourage you to pour yourself a hot cup of tea, wrap yourself in a blanket, and watch the snow fall peacefully outside.
NEOM
Neom Perfect Peace 1 Wick Candle
Fragrance notes: Pine, myrrh, lime peel
I love the simple, green-striped design of this candle, and as such, I’m planning on keeping it on my bedside table for all of the cold months to come. As for the scent, it’s a combination of 25 (yep, 25!) essential oils, including pine, myrrh, and lime peel. The brand describes it as a “fresh Nordic scent for modern vibes.” Yep, I’m sold.
