As the festive season approaches, transforming your home with inviting aromas becomes a top priority for many. Scented candles are not only a superb way to create a cosy, Christmassy atmosphere but also rank among the most thoughtful gift ideas, especially for those who seem to have everything. Beauty and wellness editor Laura Mulley, a self-confessed fragrance expert with hundreds of candles to her name, has curated her definitive list of the best festive candles for 2024.
Top Picks for Every Budget
From high-street bargains to ultimate luxury splurges, this year's selection caters to all tastes and wallets. The key festive notes to look for include rich spices, fresh pine, and seasonal citrus, often presented in special or sparkling jars that add to the decorative appeal. Here are the 12 standout candles for making your December smell divine.
High Street Heroes & Bargain Finds
For those seeking fantastic value, several high-street favourites deliver on both scent and price. Yankee Candle offers two exceptional deals. The London Christmas Tea Signature Large Jar (567g), with notes of ginger, black tea, cinnamon and woods, is now £20.99, down from £29.99 at Debenhams. An even more impressive bargain is the Yankee Candle Christmas 2024 Signature WOW Gift Set, which includes a medium jar, three votives and three wax melts. Originally £50, it's now just £19.50 at Debenhams, making each item cost roughly £2.44.
Marks & Spencer continues its popular light-up candle tradition with its London Light Up Scented Candle for £10. While the scent is subtle, the illuminated London scene provides dazzling style. For a sweet, gourmand fragrance, The White Collection Gingerbread Scented Candle (160g) at Boots for £8 offers great value, smelling like a freshly baked gingerbread house.
Premium Picks & Luxury Splurges
For a more luxurious treat or show-stopping gift, the market is brimming with beautiful options. NEOM's Winter Wellbeing Candle Trio (£48) is a stunning set containing three 75g candles in the scents Christmas Wish, Perfect Peace, and Cosy Nights, allowing you to experience a range of festive aromas.
At the top end of the scale, Diptyque's Sapin Classic Candle (190g) is a perennial favourite, with a fresh, earthy pine scent housed in a jar designed by artist Lucy Sparrow. It costs £68. The Jo Malone London Bitter Orange & Chocolate Ceramic Candle is another exquisite choice, presented in a beautiful ceramic pot for £100, offering a luxurious gourmand aroma reminiscent of a Terry's Chocolate Orange.
Other notable premium selections include The White Company Winter Mercury Luxury Votive Candle (340g) for £38, which powerfully evokes mulled wine, and the NEST New York Holiday Classic Candle & Diffuser Set for £95 from Sephora, which combines pomegranate, pine, vanilla and amber notes.
Editor's Favourites & Cult Classics
Laura Mulley highlights several other candles that have earned their place on the list. Space NK's Shimmering Spice 3-Wick Scented Candle (400g) for £42 is a cult classic with notes of cinnamon, cedar and all spice. ESPA's Winter Spice Candle (200g), now £40.50 down from £45, fills the room with a spa-like mulled wine scent, while Liz Earle's Spiced Bitter Orange Botanical Candle (220g) is on sale for £27.75, offering a fresh yet festive fragrance.
A newer discovery, Lords Abernethy Forest Winter 3 Wick Candle (650g) for £62, brings the scent of a Scottish forest indoors with notes of pine, cedarwood, and eucalyptus. Each of these picks promises to elevate your home's festive ambiance, making them perfect for gifting or personal indulgence during the Christmas season and beyond.
