"If I could spend the entire months of November and December doing nothing but baking cookies, watching nostalgic holiday movies, shopping for gifts, and perfecting my holiday decor setup, I totally would. Sadly, normal life responsibilities—including but not limited to work, household chores, and making dinner—tend to get in the way. But whether I’m working away at my desk or rolling up my sleeves for a cleaning session, there’s one thing that can immediately get me in the holiday spirit, and that is a good holiday candle. It’s amazing how the right scent can give you those warm and fuzzy feelings, bring up memories of holidays past, and put you in a festive state of mind—even if you’re doing something totally mundane.
+ how I did Scotland in a week without losing my mind in the planning process
So while I may not be able to fully bask in the holiday magic to my heart’s content, I can channel that same energy by lighting a cozy holiday candle whenever I please. If you’re looking to replenish your own stash for the season, I tapped our editors to share their all-time favorite holiday candles. From classic Christmas tree scents to fragrances inspired by seasonal treats, we have a recommendation for every scent preference. Keep scrolling for the very best holiday candles our editors come back to year after year.
scent description: balsam, aromatic cedar wood, juniper berry
Sometimes you just need a good old-fashioned Yankee Candle in your life, and the Balsam & Cedar scent is the quintessential holiday candle in my opinion. I love any kind of tree-adjacent scent this time of year, and this candle perfectly nails that crisp, fresh evergreen smell. It’s strongly scented but not overpowering and affordable enough that I don’t feel guilty letting it burn all day long.
–Jessica Friedhoff, Senior Lifestyle Editor
scent description: toasted marshmallow, woods, fire roasted vanilla, crystalized amber
Holiday candles are something I take very seriously, and when I find one I like, I buy it for years on end. Much like my favorite fall candle from BBW, I have been burning Marshmallow Fireside for years now as soon as November 1 hits. It’s sweet, but not sickly sweet, and it gives me such a strong feeling of nostalgia for childhood holiday celebrations.
—Jenna Piotrowicz, Editorial Assistant
scent description: cinnamon, smoked marshmallow, peppered gingerbread, milky musks
Snif is very quickly becoming my favorite candle brand: they’re non-toxic, so cute, and have the most elevated, luxurious scents at a pretty reasonable price point. Lost Claus (how cute is the name?) is my seasonal obsession, with unique notes of cinnamon, smoked marshmallow, gingerbread, and milky musk. It smells exactly like the holiday season to me (you get that warm, fuzzy feeling every time you light it), but an upscale, quiet-luxury kind of holiday season. It is not the sweet cookie scent that is going to give you a headache; it’s subtly spicy so it feels perfect for the holidays while being more subtle and refined.
—Josie Santi, Senior Wellness Editor & Podcast Host
scent description: vintage cedarwood, smoke, snow-capped pine, tooled leather
Leaning more masculine, the Hotel Lobby Aspen candle gives me that bougie après ski vibe with notes of leather and pine. With single-wick candles, tunneling can be a problem, but I haven’t experienced that with Hotel Lobby candles—ever. I also truly appreciate a beautifully designed candle and this one checks all the boxes!
—Megan Kemp, Sr. Sales Manager
scent description: oak moss, fir needle, cinnamon
I love a candle that is fragrant and festive! Illume’s candles serve as both, especially my favorite: the Balsam & Cedar Silver Mercury Ornament Candle. When lit, it fills a room with the unmistakable scent of a winter forest. Plus, the design is simple but stunning—a perfect decor piece to help make our home instantly look and feel holiday-ready.
—Albany Hayes, Sales & Operations Associate
scent description: red apple, sweet cinnamon, cedarwood
As much as I love splurging on a fancy candle to make my nights in feel like a luxury experience, no one does holiday candles like Bath & Body Works. The season isn’t complete without a trip to stock up on all their seasonal scents, but if I could only pick one, it would have to be Tis The Season. It’s spicy, fruity, and just sweet enough, and it’s pretty much lit all November and December in my house.
—Lauren Blue, Lifestyle Staff Writer
scent description: fir wood, mandarin, juniper berry, woodsy notes
Fruity, citrusy scents are my go-to year-round—except during the holiday season when I want my home to smell like a freshly cut Christmas tree 24/7. But with this Holiday Spruce candle from Target, I don’t have to choose one or the other. With notes of mandarin and juniper berries alongside fir wood, it’s a little brighter and more complex than your typical woodsy scent, which makes it feel extra festive. It’s like sipping on holiday punch while curled up next to the tree.
—Jessica Friedhoff, Senior Lifestyle Editor
scent description: lily of the valley, moss, tuberose, cistus amber, sandalwood
This smells like you are on a wellness retreat with your favorite person: you. It makes my home smell like amber and musk and reminds me to slow down during the holiday season.
—Marta Taras, Jr. Graphic Designer
scent description: woodland balsam, crisp eucalyptus, fir branches, cedarwood
Home is where the Bath & Body Works Fresh Balsam Candle is and I am reminded of this every single year that I return to my parents’ home in Michigan. One whiff of this candle and I’m transported back to elementary school, fighting with my siblings over a polar bear hot chocolate mug and shooting hoops with crumpled-up wrapping paper after opening presents on Christmas morning. Now that I’m an adult and have my own place, this affordable candle is an easy way to cozy up my space and lean into holiday nostalgia.
—Ashley Selleke, Branded Content Managing Editor
scent description: cardamom, jasmine petals, vanilla
I may not have the most festive home when it comes to decorating for the holidays, but one thing I will have? An apartment that smells straight out of your favorite Hallmark movie. Since I’m generally more of a minimalist when it comes to holiday decor, having a candle that encompasses both autumn and wintery smells—in a jar that seamlessly fits into my funky aesthetic—is 100% worth the higher price tag.
—Tinsley Crisp, Fashion & Beauty Staff Writer
scent description: Siberian Fir, cedarwood, sandalwood
Is there anything more holiday than a good Frasier fir scent? Seriously, whenever I catch a whiff, I practically hear jingle bells in my head. Thymes has so many different candle options and styles so you’ll certainly find something to suit your holiday fragrance needs. The scent spreads throughout the entire room and is sure to fill you with the warmth of the holiday season.
–Kaia Grobe, Video Content Editor
I picked this candle up on a whim last year, and I completely fell in love with it. I’m not normally a fan of pine-y scents, but this candle singlehandedly changed me. Especially since I’m not one to have a real, full-size Christmas tree in my home, emulating the scent with this candle fills me with holiday spirit.
—Emma Ginsberg, Associate Editor & Podcast Assistant
scent description: gingerbread, cinnamon, candied orange peel, vanilla
I’m usually not a fan of sweet-scented candles, but if any brand could get me to become obsessed, it would be Diptyque. This gingerbread candle makes the room smell like a quaint little bakery at Christmastime, not like someone is shoving a spoonful of artificial frosting up your nose unlike other brands going for the cookie-smelling angle. To say I’m obsessed is an understatement.
—McKenna Pringle, Branded Content Editorial Assistant
Jessica Friedhoff, Senior Lifestyle Editor
Jessica Friedhoff is the Senior Lifestyle Editor at The Everygirl, where she oversees the Home & Living category of the site. She has over seven years of experience reviewing products, covering trends, and creating inspiring content around all things home.