The best scented candles for Christmas & winter

Winter is almost here and Christmas won’t be far behind, so it’s time for my annual round-up of the best seasonal scented candles, updated for 2024 to include new discoveries alongside some old favourites.

Below are spicy scents inspired by mulled wine and baking, fresh green scents that evoke fir trees and frozen forests, nurturing scents to ground and comfort, and smoky and sophisticated scents that are ideal for cocktails or late nights by the fire. I’ve also included lots of options that aren’t specific to the festive period to help you get through the cold months ahead and to ensure there’s plenty of choice for those who don’t mark Christmas. I’ve focused largely on independent makers who use natural wax, and I’ve avoided anything too heavy or cloying. I hope you find something that appeals! 

1. ‘ARKTIS’ candle by Skandinavisk (£48 for a large two-wick jar, £35 for a standard jar or £19 for a small one) – a blend of woods, sage and spearmint, inspired by the frozen Arctic wilderness that stretches across northern Norway, Sweden and Finland
2. ‘Taiga’ candle by Cedar Lifestyle (£32 for a large jar or £20 for a smaller lidded one) – layers of juniper, eucalyptus, Siberian fir and vetiver, evoking the evergreen forests and silent tundra of the far north
3. ‘A Winter’s Night’ candle by Beloit (£16) – a refreshing yet relaxing palette of pine, lemon, menthol, jasmine, lavender and amber
4. ‘Winter Honey’ candle by Harvest (£32) – a warming symphony of honey, citrus, cedarwood and musky amber with the lightest dusting of spices, intended to hold you reassuringly over winter
5. ‘Altar’ candle by Byredo (£70) – a blend of clove, bud bay, carnation, ylang ylang, guaiac woods and Hatian vetiver that evokes founder Ben Gorham’s memories of winter family nights in Stockholm
6. ‘North’ candle by Evermore (£60 for a large jar or £36 for a standard one) – layers of pepper, cinnamon, tobacco and mysterious black oud, inspired by the North Star burning bright against a velvety winter sky
7. ‘Mirth’ refillable candle by Essence + Alchemy (£48) – a joyful blend of citrus, nostalgic spices and earthy evergreens, inspired by midwinter celebrations and named after an Olde English word for merriment
8. ‘Balsam Fir + Bergamot’ candle by Hobo + Co (£36 for a large jar, £22 for a medium one or £12 for a travel tin; also available as a reed diffuser) – a fresh, uplifting mix of balsam, oakmoss and bergamot, reminiscent of mountain forests
9. ‘Revere’ candle by Sincerely Lumière (£42 for a jar or £18 for a travel tin; also available as wax melts) – an opulent, seductive and mysterious scent with heady crushed tobacco leaves and warming spices softened by hints of sweet honey and golden amber 
10. ‘Midwinter’ refillable candle by Great House Farm Stores (£56) – a rich, woody aroma with green notes of pine oil over a base of deeply perfumed oud
11. ‘Noel’ aromatherapy candle by Ash + Ember (£22) – a cosy, anxiety-lowering mix of sweet orange, mandarin, cinnamon and clove
12. ‘NORDLYS’ candle by Skandinavisk (£49 for a large two-wick jar or £27 for a smaller standard one) – a balanced yet intriguing scent celebrating the magic of the Northern Lights, with layers of Arctic freshness and sea salt over deeper citrus notes
13. ‘Norwegian Spruce’ candle by OLIV (£16.95) – a fresh and woody mix of Siberian pine, cinnamon, clove and fir that resembles the smell of a Christmas tree
14. ‘Festivum’ candle by Verden (£60) – a joyful, seasonal blend of warming woods and spices
15. ‘Winter’ candle by tulA (£15) – a subtle, earthy scent created to anchor and balance the soul as the seasons change
16. ‘JUL’ candle by Skandinavisk (£48 for a large two-wick jar, £35 for a standard jar or £19 for a small one) – an evocative blend of baked gingerbread, cloves, spiced oranges and mulled wine, inspired by Christmas gatherings on cold winter nights
17. ‘Ember’ candle by Evermore (£60 for a large jar or £36 for a standard one) – a dark, spicy accord of amber, sandalwood, patchouli, clove and star anise, evoking the glow of burning embers and the mystery of nature
18. ‘Yule’ candle by Cedar Lifestyle (£32 for a large jar or £20 for a smaller lidded one) – the scent of orange, cardamom and cinnamon, celebrating the warmth of home over Christmas
19. ‘Nordic Forest’ candle by Wick + Wonder (£17) – layers of spruce, eucalyptus and sage that transport you to a peaceful Scandinavian wilderness
20. ‘Cinnamon + Frankincense’ candle by Woodspring Co (£20 for a large jar or £8.50 for a small one) – a classic Christmas scent with spicy cinnamon and warming balsamic undertones of frankincense
21. ‘Smoke’ refillable candle by Essence + Alchemy (£48) – a grounding, meditative medley of warming cinnamon, bay leaf and vibrant evergreens over a rich smoky base
22. ‘SNÖ’ candle by Skandinavisk (£48 for a large two-wick jar, £35 for a standard jar or £19 for a small one) – a clean blend of winter berries and frozen wood, inspired by white winter light and sub-zero skies
23. ‘Winter Wonderland’ candle by OLIV (£16.95) – a festive combination of cinnamon and cloves with a hint of orange
24. ‘Wonder’ refillable candle by Great House Farm Stores (£56) – a blend of spruce, herbs and petrichor (the only oil to capture the aroma of rain and snow), evoking the beauty of starlit winter nights
25. ‘Frankincense + Myrrh’ candle by Hobo + Co (£26) – a warm, woody accord with notes of frankincense, myrrh, sandalwood, cedar and musk
26. ‘Crushed Spice’ candle by Harvest (£32) – a nostalgic mix of nutmeg and clove, with an afterglow of pine and a final hint of chocolate for depth and sophistication
27. ‘Nordic Fireside’ candle by Aery Living (£30 for a large ceramic jar, £28 for a standard jar or £13 for a mini one) – a cosy, comforting scent that speaks of wintry nights by crackling log fires, with bergamot and orange over rustic notes of smoked musk, amber and birch
28. ‘Notes of January’ candle by Loriest & Co (£40) – an uplifting combination of floral viburnum and crocus and herby rosemary and thyme, created to invigorate, cleanse the air and inspire clarity and renewal 

You might also like my autumn candle selection, which has plenty of cosy, smoky and nature-inspired options – take a look here.

Top and bottom two images by Abi Dare; collage photography via the respective brands and makers