18 Best Christmas Candles to Make Your Home Look (and Smell) Festive
Updated: Nov. 21, 2023
Whether you want your home to smell like a Christmas tree, freshly baked gingerbread or a crackling fire, the best Christmas candles will turn your home into a festive holiday oasis.
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Frosted Bottle Brush Tree Candle
Topping our list of best Christmas candles, this bottle brush tree candle combines all of our favorite things: Christmas, Anthropologie fragrances and home decor statements. Choose from five sizes, but the low extra wide version is an absolute must-have. No matter where it sits, this candle fills the whole home with holiday cheer.
“In my home, small candles just won’t do,” says Product Reviews Home Editor, Madi Koetting. “I must have a fragrance lingering through the air at all times, so the bigger the vessel means double the fun. When I got my hands on this larger-than-life Christmas candle for firsthand testing, it was love at first sight. This cheerful vessel transforms my home into a frosty woodland forest thanks to the adorable bottle brush trees and refreshing holiday fragrance. Notes of Frasier, sliced orange, vanilla nutmeg and eucalyptus leave my home smelling like a crisp winter day. I’ll leave it at this, if you buy just one holiday candle, let it be this one.”
Festive Fir Pearled Candle
For an untraditional take on Christmas candles, try a pearled candle. It’s exactly what it sounds like—a combination of small pearl-shaped wax particles that create a sandy texture. The plant-based wax pearls offer an endlessly customizable decorating experience. Pour the wax pearls into your own vessel, insert the wick, light and you’re good to go!
Madi tried this candle as well. “Intrigued by the concept, I tested this pearled candle to see what it’s all about. I went with the festive fir scent (it’s also available in non-holiday fragrances), grabbed my favorite container and picked up a few Christmas decorations to create my own candle.”
“Expecting for the scent to be too light to detect, or worse, overpowering, I was pleasantly surprised by the subtle yet sharp fragrance,” adds Madi. “It truly smells just like a pine tree. As for the decorating? I shocked myself with my decorating skills—the pearled candle is so easy to jazz up with a fun vessel and props. Not to mention so much easier to create your own candles with (no messy wax!). I can’t stop recommending this candle to DIYers and anyone who wants something a little different.”
Naughty or Nice Candle
Peppermint devotees, this one’s for you. The classic candy cane aroma gets a sweet upgrade with notes of hot chocolate and vanilla in this naughty or nice candle. Just like all Candier candles, the presentation is exquisite, and this pick gets a festive makeover with green and red wax sprinkles.
“Out of all the Christmas candles I’ve tested, this pick is the most unique,” Madi says. “I mean, it has sprinkles—what more do you need? Seriously though, it smells like the experience of drinking rich peppermint hot chocolate. While gifting candles can get redundant, this is one everyone will be excited to display.”
It pairs well with these Christmas chocolates too.
Frankincense & Oud Candle
Though we love the soothing aroma of a classic pine scent, sometimes you want something a little different. With fresh notes of juniper and the woody aroma of incense burning, this frankincense and oud candle is the best of both worlds.
“If you have a hard time deciding between musky and fresh scents, this one’s for you,” Madi explains. “It reminds me of the holidays as a kid spent sitting in the living room with a crackling fire while admiring the fresh Christmas tree. This scent exudes peaceful winter nights, which is what everyone needs this time of year.”
Cider by the Sea Candle
When a holiday beach vacation just isn’t in the cards, this cider by the sea soy wax candle is the next best thing. And don’t get us started on the glitzy vessel—if this doesn’t get your space ready for Christmas, we don’t know what will. A delicate mix of sea salt, cider, sweet apple, vanilla and fresh citrus is all it takes to get you in the holiday spirit. Cozy coastal vibes await.
The Nutcracker Candle
Play the “Dance of the Sugar Plum Fairy” before grabbing the matches! Inspired by the beloved holiday tale, The Nutcracker candle includes notes of cinnamon, clove, pecan, sandalwood, winter mint, ginger, vanilla and musk.
Christmas Tree Stack Candle
Holiday decor meets function in this delightful Paddywax vessel. Boasting two stackable candles and an incense holder at the top, this clever container looks like a Christmas tree by day and transforms into a cypress and fir forest when lit. Set it on the mantel for the ultimate cozy setup.
Night Before Christmas Candle
‘Twas the night before Christmas, and the magical scent of dancing sugar plums filled the home…or at least that will be the case when you get this festive soy candle from Glasshouse Fragrances. Notes of blackcurrant, redcurrant, plum, lemon, rose and musk combine to create the most magical scent of the season. Talk about a fun upgrade to woody Christmas scents!
Holiday Candle
Reminiscent of Christmas past, this holiday candle captures all of your childhood memories in one nostalgic scent. Transport yourself back in time to cozy nights spent with family by the fire, holiday tree-trimming parties and delicious winter dinners. Send this as a gift to Grandma.
Checked Dinner Candles
Cast a cozy glow on Christmas dinner with a pair of taper candles. This checked pattern, with a band of Christmas tree motifs, adds stately elegance to a centerpiece or effortlessly flanks a buffet. Just don’t forget the candlestick holders!
Monogram Snow Globe Candle
Ready to walk in a winter wonderland? This dreamy snow globe candle captures the magic of Christmas with each burn. The lid features a frosted woodland forest theme complete with a monogram for a personalized touch. The aroma boasts the woody fresh scent desired in a Christmas candle, plus notes of sugar plums, sparkling white cranberry and smooth cinnamon. Consider your Secret Santa gift shopping done!
Balsam Perfume Candle
Trust us when we say that this balsam perfume candle doesn’t need to be wrapped. Its packaging is already gift-ready! In addition to the stunning box, textured glass encases the candle and casts a sparkly glow every time the candle’s lit. Give this as a gift to Mom.
Winter Berry Candle
This fruity winter berry candle is the perfect choice for your kitchen during the holiday season. Notes of pomegranate, cassis and sweet orange give it a fresh smell, while clove and cedar add depth and warmth to its scent. Plus, if you’re giving it as a gift, you can even have it monogrammed for a small fee. It would be great paired with one of our favorite candle accessories!
Winter Mantel Candle
You can spruce up your holiday decor—pun intended—with this woodsy winter mantel candle. It has top notes of Fraser fir, holly berry and mistletoe, with sweet sugar, spruce and cedar at the base. It’s the perfect finishing touch to your holiday mantel, and its 60+ hour burn time will last all season long. Candles make great gifts for coworkers too.
Christmas Candle Bundle
For three times the holiday cheer, turn to this Santa’s Naturals candle bundle. Winterberry, Fraser fir and snowfall scents are all made of sustainable soy and beeswax blend for candles you can feel good about burning. Gift the whole set, or split it up into individual stocking stuffers.
Minimalist Christmas Candle
You can get all the quintessential Christmas smells wrapped up in one minimalist Christmas candle. It comes in a pretty amber jar, and as it burns, you’ll get notes of apple cider, cinnamon, Christmas trees, cookies and more. So what are you waiting for? Grab your electric candle lighter and get burning!
Christmas Tree Candle
Not only does this handmade tree candle smell like a holiday fir, but it’s shaped like one too. The candle resembles an intricate snow-covered Christmas tree. When it burns, you’re rewarded with scents of eucalyptus, mint, cypress, pine and smoke. It would be an amazing addition to your Christmas table decorations!
Holiday Classic Candle
All your favorite seasonal scents are wrapped up into one in this holiday classic candle. It features a blend of pomegranate, mandarin orange, pine, cloves and cinnamon with just a hint of vanilla and amber, and the candle is housed in a gold-accented glass vessel to complement your holiday decor.
