As the festive season approaches, transforming your home with inviting aromas becomes a cherished ritual. For those seeking the perfect scented candle to create a cosy atmosphere or to give as a thoughtful present, beauty and wellness editor Laura Mulley has curated her definitive list of favourites for 2024.
An Expert's Guide to Festive Fragrances
Laura Mulley, a self-confessed candle hoarder and fragrance expert, believes scented candles are an ideal Christmas gift, especially for the person who has everything. They offer a luxurious treat that many wouldn't buy for themselves, while instantly making any space smell and feel more festive. Having burned through her autumn collection, she now recommends candles with rich spices, fresh pine, and seasonal citrus, often housed in special or sparkly jars to match the occasion.
Top Picks for Every Budget
Here is Laura Mulley's selection of the twelve best Christmas candles for 2024, catering to all price points and preferences.
Yankee Candle London Christmas Tea Signature Large Jar 567g: This heavyweight candle is a guaranteed crowd-pleaser. Inspired by global celebrations, its London Christmas Tea fragrance blends ginger, black tea, cinnamon, and woods. It was £29.99, now £20.99 from Debenhams.
NEOM Winter Wellbeing Candle Trio 3 x 75g: A stunning set from a beloved brand, this trio includes 75g candles of cinnamon-scented Christmas Wish, pine-inspired Perfect Peace, and warm, woody Cosy Nights. It costs £48 from NEOM.
Diptyque Sapin Classic Candle 70g: Representing the pinnacle of luxury, this fresh, earthy pine scent is a show-stopping gift. The 2024 edition, designed by artist Lucy Sparrow, features a felt decoration and gold lid. It's £68 from Harrods.
Yankee Candle Christmas 2024 Signature WOW Gift Set: An incredible bargain, this set containing one medium jar, three votives, and three wax melts is now £19.50 (was £50) from Debenhams. With scents like White Spruce & Grapefruit and Christmas Cookie, each item works out at roughly £2.44.
The White Company Winter Mercury Luxury Votive Candle 340g: A chic option that smells impressively of mulled wine, with warming, spicy, and lightly fruity notes. It's £38 from LookFantastic and can be reused as a tea light holder.
NEST New York Holiday Classic Candle & Diffuser Set: This luxurious set, with notes of pomegranate, pine, vanilla, and amber, makes the ultimate present. The combined set is £95 from Sephora.
M&S London Light Up Scented Candle: A perennial favourite that often sells out, this £10 candle from Marks & Spencer features a central tea light that activates LED lights, illuminating a beautiful London scene.
ESPA Winter Spice Candle 200g: From the popular spa brand, this candle fills the room with sweet orange, clove, cinnamon, and ginger. It's enriched with essential oils and is now £40.50 (was £45) from LookFantastic.
Liz Earle Spiced Bitter Orange Botanical Candle 220g: A refined, spangle-free design from the skincare brand offers a fresh yet festive spiced orange scent. It's currently £27.75 (was £37) from Liz Earle.
Space NK Shimmering Spice 3-Wick Scented Candle 400g: A cult favourite with notes of cinnamon, cedar, and allspice. This large three-wick candle offers good value at £42 from Space NK.
The White Collection Gingerbread Scented Candle 160g: Perfect for gourmand lovers, this faintly sweet gingerbread-scented candle is great value at £8 from Boots and comes with a metal lid.
Jo Malone London Bitter Orange & Chocolate Ceramic Candle: An exquisite showstopper from the 2024 collection, this gourmand scent is like a luxurious Terry's Chocolate Orange. It's presented in a beautiful ceramic pot for £100 from Lookfantastic.
Final Thoughts on Festive Ambiance
Whether you're searching for a budget-friendly stocking filler under a tenner or an opulent gift to impress, this expert-led guide proves there's a perfect festive candle for every home. From the strong, traditional scents of Yankee Candle to the artistic luxury of Diptyque and the wellbeing focus of NEOM, lighting one of these picks is a surefire way to elevate your Christmas atmosphere.
