The best scented candles for Christmas & winter

Winter is almost here and Christmas won’t be far behind, so I have plenty of festive inspiration coming up over the next few weeks. I’m kicking things off with my annual round-up of the best seasonal scented candles, updated for 2021 to include new discoveries alongside some old favourites.

As with my recent round-up of autumn candles, I’ve decided to pare things back this year and bring you just 21 tried-and-tested delights. The are spicy scents inspired by mulled wine and baking, earthy green scents that evoke fir trees and frozen forests, and deep 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, although a couple of favourites from larger brands such as Skandinavisk and The White Company have crept in too. In the name of fairness I’ve only included one scent from each maker, but most do other Christmas and winter fragrances too, so do take a look through their full ranges.

1. ‘Fir’ candle by The Secoia (£38 for a large jar, £28 for a standard jar or £16 for a small one) – a mix fir balsam, pine and precious woods, evoking the scent of a real Christmas tree
2. ‘Christmas Tree’ candle by Brooklyn Candle Studio (€35) – festive spruce and pine over a heart of fresh cypress and balsam fir and a rich base of moss, musk and cedar
3. ‘Winter Bergamot’ candle by Essence + Alchemy (£48 for a large jar or £30 for a wax refill; also available as a reed diffuser) – a woody blend of bergamot and fir needle with fresh citrus notes and a hint of clove, reminiscent of winters in the coniferous forests of Calabria, Italy
4. ‘North’ candle by Evermore (£55 for a large jar or £35 for a small one) – layers of pepper, cinnamon, tobacco and mysterious black oud, inspired by the North Star burning bright against a velvet-black winter sky
5. ‘Midnight Dance’ candle by Aather (£48) – a sensual blend of amber, musk and vanilla with a deep caramel intensity, created for nighttime frivolities and celebrations
6. ‘Fig & Snowberry’ candle by Beloit (£16) – a fruity combination of fig, bayberry, snowberry and raspberry, with a twist of earthy cedarwood
7. ‘Lugn’ candle by Svar:ög (£18 for a large jar or £12 for a small one) – layers of cedarwood, cinnamon, clove, nutmeg, pine, lemon, orange and peppermint, blended to capture the essence of wintertime
8. ‘Evergreen’ candle by Nära (£28 for a large jar or £19 for a standard one) – notes of bright eucalyptus, grounding cedar and indulgent sandalwood, conjuring up memories of cold noses, crackling fires, frozen ground and fir trees
9. ‘Altar’ candle by Byredo (£59) – a blend of clove, bud bay, carnation, ylang ylang, guaiac woods and Hatian vetiver that evokes winter family nights in Stockholm
10. ‘SNÖ’ candle by Skandinavisk (£50 for a large jar, £45 for a standard jar or £24 for a small one) – a clean blend of winter berries and frozen wood, inspired by white winter light and sub-zero skies
11. ‘Yule’ candle by Cedar Lifestyle (£30) – the scent of orange, cardamom and cinnamon, celebrating the warmth of home over Christmas
12. ‘Midnight’ candle by The White Company (numerous candle sizes and oils available, ranging from £10 to £60) – a velvety blend of vetivert, aromatic cardamom and warming amber with a sparkling twist of ginger, inspired by fireworks in Venice on New Year’s Eve
13. ‘Christmas Tree Farm’ candle by Wick + Wonder (£16) – a fragrance created to take you on a journey through a winter forest, with woody pine needles wrapped in frosted fir cones and topped with a dash of citrus
14. ‘Crushed Spice’ candle by Harvest (£30) – high notes of nutmeg and clove for warmth, an afterglow of pine for a little zip, and a hint of chocolate for depth and sophistication
15. ‘Taiga’ candle by 42 Pressed (£28, available via Osmology) – a wintry combination of white spruce, hemlock, frozen moss and mint, which takes its cue from secluded frost-covered forests
16. ‘Orange Spice’ candle by Hobo + Co (£25 for a limited-edition gold tin or £20 for a standard jar; also available as a reed diffuser) – a classic Christmas scent with orange, cinnamon, nutmeg and clove
17. ‘Skydance’ candle by AULI (£48) – a blend of pine sap, Siberian fir, Iris, cedarwood and patchouli that celebrates the magic of the shimmering Northern Lights
18. ‘Winter Bliss’ candle by Art House London (£49 for a large jar or £28 for a standard one) – an aromatic, spicy scent based around sweet frankincense and earthy myrrh, with a hint of liquorice and rich winter fruits
19. ‘Winter Wish’ candle by Nui Naturals (£32) – an enchanting combination of cinnamon, soothing cedarwood and sweet orange, available in a silver or gold jar
20. ‘Into the Woods’ candle by Our Lovely Goods (£50 for a large jar or £20 for a standard one) – a blend of pine, clove and bergamot, evoking the wonderful aroma of evergreen woods
21. ‘Winter’ candle by tulA (£12.50) – a subtle, earthy scent created to anchor and balance the soul as the seasons change