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.
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: pomegranate, mandarin orange, pine, cloves, cinnamon, vanilla, amber
For me, the holiday season officially begins the moment my giant NEST candle arrives and I light it for the first time. Every year, I splurge on the large size and burn it straight through the season—it’s just that good. The scent is truly unrivaled and absolutely worth every penny. No matter who walks into my home, I always get compliments. The throw is incredible, filling the entire house with its warm, festive aroma. This scent is a blend of pomegranate, mandarin orange, pine, clove, and cinnamon with a hint of vanilla and amber—basically all of your holiday heavy hitters. It’s a little spicy, a little sweet, and perfectly balanced so it’s not overwhelming. To me, there’s simply no better holiday candle.
–Allyson Trammell, Editor-in-Chief
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
scent description: mandarin, ozone, eucalyptus, clove, rosemary, pine, juniper, sugared currant, dark balsam, fir needle, cinnamon leaf, cedar
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 Balsam Fir candle from Paddywax, I don’t have to choose one or the other. With notes of mandarin, juniper, and rosemary alongside balsam and cedar, 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. Plus, the adorable striped jar is highly reusable.
—Jessica Friedhoff, Senior Lifestyle Editor
scent description: cinnamon, smoked marshmallow, peppered gingerbread, milky musks
Snif is very quickly becoming my favorite candle brand. Their candles are 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: pine balsam, cedarwood, amber
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, smoldering woods, roasted vanilla
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 B&BW, 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: vintage cedarwood, smoke, snow-capped pine, tooled leather, golden embers
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, Senior Sales Manager of Brand Partnerships
scent description: crystalized ginger, cinnamon stick, crushed clove, tonka bean
I’m usually not big on spiced candle scents, but this one surprised me in the best way. The cinnamon and clove notes are not too overpowering, and the scent is just sweet enough to get me in a cozy holiday mood. If I could teleport myself to the Great British Baking Show tent on Biscuit Week, this is what I imagine it would smell like.
—Jessica Friedhoff, Senior Lifestyle Editor
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 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: woodland balsam, crisp eucalyptus, 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: lily of the valley, moss, tuberose, 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: lemon peel, cypress, evergreen, cedar, fir, amber, moss
These hand-poured, small-batch candles from Fern & Nettle never disappoint me, and I love that I am shopping local! Their Fraser Fir candle is like a Christmas tree in a tin. It fills my space with the perfect amount of scent, and I feel even better about burning them because they are made with 100% American-grown soy wax and fragrance oils free from carcinogens, reproductive toxins, and other potentially hazardous chemicals often found in fragrance. They also have lead-free, cotton-core wicks and come in these adorable (and neutral) tin or glass jars that go perfectly in any home.
–Kaia Grobe, Video Content Editor
scent description: red apple, ground cinnamon, clove
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, Assistant Editor
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 writes and edits stories across a broad range of topics including decorating, food, entertaining, travel, and more. With a pulse on the latest trends, she uses her eye for detail and design to create timely, inspiring content for our readers.
