We tried it: Best Christmas scented candles
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Along with a tree, some twinkly lights and a pile of presents under the tree, a Christmas candle is a festive must-have.
Pick a good one and your home will be filled with the unmistakable scent of Christmas throughout the entire holiday period.
But, with all the choice out there - not to mention the steep price tag on some of them - picking just one can be a struggle.
After all, you don’t want to be left with a candle that doesn’t actually smell when burning - or smells so strongly it leaves you with a whacking great headache.
To help make your decision making that little bit simpler, we’ve tried and tested some of the leading, and less known, Christmas candles out there.
Best Christmas scented candles
Diptyque Pine Candle | £53 | Rating: 5/5
“The Diptyque pine and amber scented candle is the epitome of Christmas. Within minutes of lighting the wick, your room is instantly filled with scents of fresh pine, basil and sage. Plus the creative decoration on the packaging makes this candle a great gift or stocking filler.”
Marks & Spencer Mandarin, Clove & Cinnamon Candle | Now £7 (Was £10) | Rating: 5/5
“This is more than just a good Christmas candle: Marks and Sparks have delivered an all-round winner that will give your entire room the smell equivalent of a rainy Sunday afternoon spent snuggling on the couch. Also comes in a quirky, stackable Christmas tree-shaped option if you want extra festive points.”
Floris Cinnamon & Tangerine Candle | £40 | Rating: 4/5
“If you’re after a candle that fills your home with the unmistakable scent of Christmas, look no further. This cinnamon and tangerine candle packs quite a punch, so burn for no more than an hour or two at a two. “
Jo Loves Plum Pudding Candle | £55 | Rating: 4/5
“This sophisticated candle doesn't immediately scream Christmas with its simple and chic packing and design, but the Plum Pudding scent is sensationally seasonal. A deep and heady aroma that left a lasting, but not overwhelming, scent.”
Marks & Spencer Mistletoe & Fir Candle | £10 | Rating: 3/5
“The Mistletoe and Fir candle provides a soft and subtle fresh and earthy scent. While it is a pleasant smell that fills the room, for those looking for a design that emits a more powerful aroma this may not be for you.”
Yankee Candle Cinnamon Stick Large Jar | £15.99 | 2.5/5
“The Cinnamon Stick scent is as festive as you might imagine and instantly leaves you with that warm, fuzzy feeling inside. However, those who are not so fond of sweet scents may find this slightly overbearing.”
Cire Trudon Nazareth Scented Candle | £85 | Rating: 5/5
“As the most expensive candle we tried, we had high hopes for this Cire Trudon number - and we weren’t disappointed. Incredibly luxe to look at (it’s housed in a limited edition, hand-blown painted glass vessel) and beautifully scented with a blend of citrus fruits, cinnamon, cloves, musk and myrrh, it’s probably one of the best candles we’ve ever tested.”
Fellowstead Orange Peel & Ginger Candle | £18 | Rating: 3/5
“Created with soy wax, this paraben-free handmade candle boasts a soft, zesty fragrance that’s ideal for those who don’t love intense home scents. But, we warned it’s not as traditionally ‘festive’ as some.”
Kiss Air Soy Wax Candle In Festive Cranberry | £12 | Rating: 2/5
“Fans of fruity scents will love this fragrant candle. A little overpowering for me, however, I did notice it masked the scent of cooking in my small flat.”
Marks & Spencer Frankincense & Myrrh Candle | £5 | Rating: 2/5
“Disguised in a bauble-shaped holder, or a Christmas tree, this Frankincense and Myrrh candle certainly adds a festive touch to the room. However, the scent of the candle left a lot to be desired as it simply wasn't strong enough to permeate the air. Perfect for decorative purposes, but otherwise disappointing.”
Elemis Joyful Glow Candle Gift Set | £32 | 5/5
“As with most of Elemis' products, this one doesn't disappoint. Boasting an elegant design and a soft - but noticeable - vanilla, orange and cinnamon aroma, it's ideal for those looking for a candle that will last throughout Christmas and beyond.”
Arya All Natural Essential Oil Candle | £22 | Rating: 4/5
“I found this patchouli scent really uplifting – great for first thing on a Saturday morning to get you in the mood to seize the day – and loved that it was made from all-natural packaging, so I wasn’t worried about any nasty chemicals I might be burning. As the candle holder is so pretty, I’m looking forward to recycling this and using it as a toothbrush stand once I’m done burning it.”
The White Company Winter Botanical Large Candle | £36 | 4/5
“The White Company never fail to impress with their vast array of home scents, whether it is candles or diffusers, and this botanical Winter three-wick candle is a huge fan favourite. Not only is it a great centrepiece and conversation starter among guests, but it smells divine with its warm cinnamon and refreshing orange notes.”
Norma & Dorothy Advent Calendar Candle | £14 | Rating: 3/5
“With its warm, enveloping orange and cinnamon scent, this was like Christmas in a candle – and I loved that you could personalise it, making it a really thoughtful gift. The design was a little twee for me – but for the right person I’m sure it would be well-received.”
Annick Goutal Christmas Scented Candle Box | £69.30 | Rating: 5/5
“The set is made up of three luxury candles: Bois Cendres, Un Air d’Hadrien and Une Foret d’Or. The candles were designed to compliment each other - and indeed manage to create the perfect Christmas aroma that isn’t too overpowering. With fresh notes of pine needles and mandarin provided by Foret D’Or, spicer undertones from Bois Cendres and zesty notes from Un Air d’Hadrien - together they create a Christmas scent you can’t really fault.”
ESPA Winter Spice Deluxe Candle from ESPA | £45 | Rating 5/5
“Nothing says Christmas more than the Winter Spice ESPA candle. Whether you light your candle, or leave it untouched, warming notes of cinnamon, clove, ginger and zesty orange immediately fill the room. This long lasting scent is exactly what you want over the festive period to get you in the mood for Christmas.”