Everyone loves a scented candle. That makes it not only the perfect gift, but also the ideal home object that you can have five, 10 or 15 of—and still, somehow, never enough. Finding the right scent for your living room or lounge can be tricky, though, as everyone has their own personal preference when it comes to scent—a process that gets even more complicated when limited-edition holiday candles come online this time of year. But that personal scent is one that can become a signature in your house, and can even be carried over to any other homes you own. Here, we’ve picked 12 of our favorites that will both look great on your table and add a fresh, seasonal scent to the air.
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Tom Dixon Alchemy Candle
Image Credit: Mr. Porter Dixon’s been at the fragrance game for a while (plus lighting, chairs and restaurants), but the new Alchemy candle is among one of the brand’s tops. The patchouli, black pepper, cypress and eucalyptus give off an unmistakably heady scent—almost like a (very) spiced wine. The packaging also shines, with a matte black vessel and a weighty marble lid for when it’s not in use.
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Paddywax Glacier National Park Candle
Image Credit: Nordstrom Simply put, this candle—which comes wrapped up in a stylish ceramic vessel—smells like December. The notes of pine needles, smoked cedar and spearmint will make any room feel more like an evergreen forest—no overlong hiking trek in the cold required.
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Acqua Di Parma Notte Di Stelle Holiday Candle
Image Credit: Saks Fifth Avenue It may look a bit summer-y for a winter scent, but that’s because Acqua di Parma’s candle is the perfect blend of bright and woodsy fragrances. Pine notes are mixed with spicier accents to create a one-of-a-kind scent, with distinct, sunny packaging by Chinese illustrator Oamul.
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Otherland Gilded Silk Pajamas Holiday Candle
Image Credit: Nordstrom This candle wants to evoke a “penthouse winter weekend,” and with its notes of ginger and yuzu, it certainly does make you feel like you’re cozied up in a cabin—albeit a high-end one—in the woods. Eponymous silk PJs and all.
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Medium Dark Paris Texas
Image Credit: Medium Dark Just like Paris and Texas, this candle is an exercise in contrasts—cedar is juxtaposted by rose, and earth and spice are balanced out by vanilla. Each is handmade and poured into recyclable glass vessels and comes in recyclable packaging, so it’s great for the sustainably-minded person on your list, too.
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Molton Brown Russian Leather
Image Credit: Saks Fifth Avenue It’s about as earthy as you can get, so if you’re the type who wants a winter scent that packs a real punch, look no further. A base of leather and cade blends with notes of pine, tobacco and birch to make any room feel a bit warmer—and of the season.
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Frédéric Malle Joyeux Noel Candle
Image Credit: Saks Fifth Avenue Frédéric Malle’s candle is reminiscent of all of the cookies and sweets you’ll be chowing down on during the holidays, as its scent is a heady mix of pine, amber and cinnamon—with just a bit of cotton candy. Even the bright red vessel adds some OTT holiday cheer.
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Capri Blue Alpine Juniper Candle
Image Credit: Nordstrom The sparkling green packaging says it all–this is a candle that’s a must-burn for the holiday season (as well as in the winter months beyond). The scent is a mix of light citrus, juniper and balsam fir, so it’s not too sweet or too earthy. In other words, it’s a universal scent that’ll work for virtually anyone on your list.
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Tom Ford Lost Cherry
Image Credit: Nordstrom So yes, this candle smells like cherries, but it’s not so saccharine that you’ll want to put it out after just five minutes. Notes of sandalwood and cedar give it a bit more complexity, and add a layer of warmth and familiarity to scent. It’s a luxe alternative to the more typical spice- or pine-scented candles of the season that has legs beyond the holidays.
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Maison Francis Kurkdjian Mon Beau Sapin Candle
Image Credit: Neiman Marcus In case the pine needle designs on the dark green case didn’t tip you off, Maison Francis Kurkdjian’s scent smells like balsam fir. Maybe a bit too woodsy for some, but it’s one of the easiest ways to bring the outdoors in, sans frostbite or sap-sticky gloves.
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Voluspa Mini Macaron Candle Trio
Image Credit: Nordstrom If you want to try a few different scents out before committing, look no further. Here, Voluspa’s packaged three of its scents into one, including Baltic Amber, a blend of sandalwood, cedar and vanilla; French Cade, a mix of lavender and cade and Moso Bamboo, which marries notes of bamboo and cypress. Plus, each candle looks like a macaron when you put the lid on it, so they look great even when not lit.
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Diptyque Floral Majesty Holiday Candle
Image Credit: Neiman Marcus Diptyque needs no introduction in this category, but it’s worth noting that the brand does go all in for holiday scents, most notably in the packaging department. Here, the vessel is a bright red and depicts a a lion in the snow—the scent itself is a bit rosier; a more floral take on the traditional holiday candle.
