Even if you don't live near a snowy Christmas tree forest or have a wood-burning fireplace on hand, the right scented candle can make it feel like you do. Heck, a strategically placed gingerbread or sugar cookie votive can even fool your friends into thinking you have some serious baking skills. Surrounding yourself with the best holiday candles can easily add some Christmas magic to your holiday season, almost like you're living in a Hallmark Christmas movie.
Beyond tricking your guests, evoking a sense of smell that aligns with the season is the simplest way to get your home ready for all the December festivities. It's why holiday candles continue to be one of the most popular home decor items purchased this time of year. Have a fake Christmas tree? Get a candle that smells like the real thing. Some people are so dedicated to their favorite scents that they'll light a match as early as October. And those people are me.
Candles also make excellent gifts, especially to those people in your life who you don't know well enough to purchase something more personal. Like your kid's teacher, the crossing guard you've come to know and love, or the nice neighbor who always checks in on your cat when you're gone. Even your hard-to-shop-for mother-in-law.
So whether you're a traditionalist with a penchant for warm vanilla and cinnamon notes or prefer something slightly more modern and leathery scented, we've got you covered with our list of the best holiday candles to warm your house this winter season.
The Candle That Actually Smells Like Frasier Fir
Amazon
What smell conjures the feeling of holiday spirit more than pine trees? This affordable candle lasts for up to 15 hours and has a refreshing, relaxing fragrance that you can also use all year round. You will feel like you are going to be transported into an outdoor pine forest in Utah or Colorado. Users love how soothing this smell is for them, too, thanks to the aromatic sandalwood notes.
The Candle That Evokes Warm, Mulled Cider
Sweet Water Decor
Fragrance notes like apple, cranberries, orange, and amber are reminiscent of the warming ciders and wines that come around in the fall and winter — so this Mulled Cider scent is perfect to light once the weather gets colder. This beautiful candle smells like a holiday drink and comes in a stylish amber glass. Users say that while the candle is small, the throw is strong enough to fill their whole homes.
The Candle That Smells Like Everything Christmas
Snif
Snif's Old Saint Wick candle was included on Oprah's Favorite Things in 2022, and there's a reason for that. With notes of Siberian pine, creamy sandalwood, fir balsam and apple blossom, this candle just smells like the Christmas season in a jar. While the 8.5 oz candle will give you 50 hours of burn time, you have the option to invest in the massive 50 oz candle that will give you 200 hours of burn time across multiple holiday seasons.
The Candle That Is a Luxurious Gingerbread House
Harlem Candle Co
If a sweeter, spicier candle is more your speed, this gingerbread-forward candle from Harlem Candle Co. is a beautiful addition to your holiday mantle. We like this one because it's not overly sugary — it balances itself out with notes of mandarin and ginger for a spicy, complex scent that will still remind you of gingerbread cookies. It's made with soy vegetable wax and has an 80-hour burn time, so it's well worth the price.
The Glitzy Candle Trio to Elevate Every Christmas Party
Otherland
Otherland's seasonal trio was inspired by the glitz and glam of holiday parties, twinkling Christmas tree lights and childhood nostalgia surrounding the magical season. Each candle is available individually, but you can purchase the set comprised of Fallen Fir (balsam fir, musk, winter spice), Silk Pajamas (crystal ginger, bergamot zest, spiced yuzu) and Moonstruck (white mahogany, sweet myrrh, smoked birch).
The Candle For Binging Christmas Movies By the Fire
Poured Candle Bar
One of the best parts about winter is getting cozy in a blanket in front of a warm fire. Bonus points if you've got classic Christmas movies playing in the background. With notes of Silver Birch, Fraser Fir, Crisp Flannel, and Firewood, the Poured Flames & Flannel candle perfectly captures the fireside scents to keep you company all winter long.
The Candle That Smells Like a Fireplace
Brooklyn Candle Studio
This candle with a double wick smells like a fireplace with notes of ash, incense, cedar, and sandalwood. We love that it comes in a unique turquoise glass jar you'll want to burn long after the holidays and that it has a smoky, rich scent. The 70-hour burn time and the fact that it is scented with essential oils are both pluses, too.
The Sophisticated Candle That Is Cozy and Elegant
Selise
The Selise Canela candle is an effortlessly elegant holiday candle that will last you through the fall months all the way to Christmas. With notes of cinnamon, frankincense, nutmeg and cedarwood, this candle is a lovely balance of spicy and nutty. Available in 6 oz or 10 oz, Canela is made with 100% natural ingredients that actually help purify the air, making it one of the cleanest candles you'll ever burn.
The Candle That Gives an Aromatic Dose of Peppermint
Love Notes
Peppermint is a holiday superstar and adds a sweet, minty touch to your home's ambiance. The notes of pomegranate, pine, white birch, black pepper, mint, and sandalwood will evoke some serious candy cane cravings, and the holiday playlist that accompanies it only adds to the festive fun. Plus, with 50 hours of burn time, you'll enjoy this scent for many cozy nights to come.
The Candle That Is Your Grown-Up Winter Woodsy Alternative
Nest New York
It's time to pack away the cookie and candy scents, kiddos. This oud wood, frankincense, and smoky ember option from NEST is as sophisticated as they come. Its funky design also makes for a great statement piece on your coffee table, especially considering it burns for up to 60 hours.
The Candle That Looks (And Smells) Like A Christmas Cookie Tin
Saks Fifth Avenue
I love a candle that doubles as a cute container after it burns, and this sugar and spice donut candle from Glasshouse Fragrances does just that. Notes of cinnamon, apple cake, wild berries, and cloves are what give it that signature baked good scent—which will fill your home for at least 80 hours of burn time.
The Candle That's Almost Too Pretty to Burn
Etsy
We've all scoured our local T.J. Maxx for their infamous (and now, TikTok famous) viral Christmas Tree candle. If your store is also completely sold out, this gorgeous Etsy alternative is here to save the day. It has a cozy white tea note that'll fill your home with a light and airy fragrance if you do decide to burn it.
The Candle That Comes With a Dreamy Monogrammed Snowglobe
Anthropologie
You heard it here first: this fresh balsam and cedarwood Anthropologie candle with 50 hours of burn time is the go-to candle gift of the year. You can personalize it with the recipient's initials, making it a great option for your trio of nieces who are prone to comparing gifts.
The Candle That Will Teleport You To A Luxury Ski Lodge
Hotel Lobby
Dreaming of a winter escape to the mountains? This Lodge Candle from Hotel Lobby is the next best thing. Simply light it, close your eyes, and enjoy 65 hours of oak-aged bourbon, vanilla bean, and sandalwood notes that'll transport you to a cozy getaway.
The Candle That Is Your Chestnuts Roasting On An Open-Fire Dupe
Williams Sonoma
While we all may be singing the tune, no one is actually roasting chestnuts over an open fire. It's a lot of work! So do the next best thing and light this spicy chestnut candle from William Sonoma for 42 hours of an aroma that'll surely inspire some neighborhood caroling.
The Candle That Gives the Ultimate Fire & Ice Combo
Liis Fragrances
This candle from Liis is aptly named "Snow on Fire" for a reason: it smells like the kind of necessary fire you'd light on a cold winter evening. With a 50-hour burn time and notes of raspberry, oud, and palo santo, you won't be putting it out any time soon.
The Candle That Is a Fancy Cup Of Hot Cocoa
Archipelago
For a luxurious twist on the classic winter beverage, try this peppermint-credenza candle from Archipelago. With notes of chocolate and peppermint bark, it's the aromatic equivalent of wrapping yourself in a warm blanket while sipping a cup of hot cocoa garnished with a candy cane. And with 60 hours of burn time, you can really indulge in this delicious scent.
The Candle Trio Giving Classic Holiday Nostalgia
Saks Fifth Avenue
This mini candle set features three iconic holiday scents from Glasshouse Fragrances: Gingerbread House, Night Before Christmas, and White Christmas. Each candle has a burn time of 20 hours, and the compact size makes them perfect for gifts that need to fit into a suitcase for the journey home.
The Candle Lover's Dream Advent Calendar
Sephora
The only thing better than a set of three candles? A set of TWELVE candles arranged in an advent calendar-style box, that's what. You can burn one each day leading up to Christmas or save them all for your big holiday celebration and enjoy 12 different festive scents like Cinnamon Woods, White Cypress, and Baltic Amber. It's the gift that keeps on giving (and smelling) all season long.
The Candle Shaped Like a Festive Ornament
Pottery Barn
If you love to decorate your home with festive ornaments, then this candle is a must-have. Its ornament shape and etched design make it a beautiful decorative piece, even after the candle has burned out. It also comes in three different scent options—Frosted Peppermint, Winter Spruce, and Fireside Cinnamon—that'll fill your home with Christmas cheer.
Editor's Note: Products featured on Wide Open Country are independently selected by our editors. However, when you buy something through our links, we may earn a commission.
