Images courtesy of the brands. Collage by Ashley Peña
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The elements that lend the most beautiful and vibrant ambience to a room are often the most subtle. Just like mood lighting or the perfect playlist, a candle can always help foster a good vibe. Whether you’re seeking an aromatic jasmine to waft through the halls of your dinner party or a soft and smoldering rose musk for the bedroom, there will surely be myriad opportunities to burn a delicious-smelling candle this December.
As 2024 draws to a close, it’s time to honor both the challenges and triumphs of the year, while savoring the blessings that have come your way. Below, we’ve selected the latest holiday candles (as well as few timeless favorites) to help you choose some new go-tos for winter. Remember to always trim your wick, use a candle snuffer to avoid ash debris, and always take a moment to savor the moment with these calming—and boldly invigorating—scents.
This is my absolute favorite candle from Loewe’s luxurious Home Scents Textura collection. The Mimosa scented candle comes in an unconventional but endlessly stylish ceramic vessel that becomes a centerpiece wherever you place it. The floral notes are tinged with Acacia dealbata, an evergreen tree from Australia, with a hint of juicy melon. Trust me, it might sound like a wonky combo, but just like the brand’s fashion designed by Jonathan Anderson, it’s one-of-a-kind—and absolutely gorgeous.
Arosa is inspired by classic French Christmas celebrations of yore. Encased in a 24-karat gold leaf vessel, the candle features the most savory amber, rich sandalwood, cashmere wool, and grounding vanilla to create a festive vibe for any room.
This one is crisp, fresh, and very winter-appropriate, bringing all the cozy feels. Creed’s latest candle is an invigorating concoction of fresh lemon notes, tied with the perfect sandalwood accent to create a product for those who crave fresher notes. The candle comes in a hand-poured porcelain vessel for added luxury.
For all the hard work you put in this year, you deserve to treat yourself to the luxury of Cartier. The beautifully balanced blend of pine and woody notes here brings a comfortable, serene atmosphere to your space, letting you unwind in refined style.
No one does understated refinement quite like Dior—and Ambre Nuit will envelop your space into pure and luxurious tranquility. With the perfect combination of rose and warm ambergris notes, the candle is presented in Dior’s sleek and beautifully crafted box.
The storied fragrance house beloved by the most discerning jet-setters has just unveiled its latest candle scent, inspired by the opulence of St. Petersburg’s Hermitage Museum. With notes of black truffle, lemon, and vetiver, this warm, woodsy fragrance matures over time through a maceration process, enhancing its complexity.
Use this candle to uplift and de-stress—and turn your home office into a serene winter retreat in the process. Le Labo’s newest candle, Cyprès 21, contains sheets of fresh green juniper, spicy star anise, aromatic clove, and a delicate patchouli base to make deadlines feel like a distant memory.
Sweet and homey in the best way, the Friandise candle satisfies our sweet tooth, offering flavors of gingerbread, cinnamon, candied orange peel, and vanilla. It’s a holiday scent so delicious, you’ll wish it were edible. Instead, it’s the coziest indulgence we’ve found—minus the extra calories.
We encourage you not to wait for Christmas Eve to burn this soy blend candle with a lead-free wick—because you deserve all the joy and wonder it will bring you. It’s cheery, fresh, and lively, with a tastefully measured blend of lemon, plum, and spices. The elegant packaging also makes this a great gift idea.
For the serious candle lovers who are always looking for something rarified, Sapin de Noël from Mizensir is a lovely Swiss-made holiday candle that blends vibrant, verdant pine and fir notes. Fill each room in your apartment with this enticing fragrance, which stands out from the typical seasonal offerings.
This is the perfect candle for setting the mood during dinner, whether you’re seated comfortably on a Zaha Hadid dining table or analyzing Ed Ruscha’s iconic artworks. Winter Saga by Unifrom masterfully blends notes of ginger, Japanese cypress, and musk, creating a nuanced but super-pleasing aroma.
For those of us who prefer our winter candles to smell like something other than a cinnamon roll, Macanudo has arrived. Stunning sheaths of Haitian vetiver and bergamot feel clean, and a touch of tonka bean gives winter vibes without turning your living room into a candy shop. We also love that this brand uses plant- and mineral-derived wax and cotton wicks.
This soothing scent conjures up the early evening tranquility of wine country, setting the mood for relaxation and comfort. Harvest Smoke contains blissful pockets of plum and black currant notes, creating the perfect ambiance as you transition from a day in the vineyards to an evening of cocktails and dinner.
A revered fragrance house beloved by Euro jet setters has just released this woodsy, spicy candle—which contains a surprisingly fresh endnote. This product comes in a stylish sandy-bronze glass vessel, one hand-blown in the hilltop village of Biot, in the South of France, no less.
Le Labo consistently releases products that are the epitome of understated chic—and this newest candle is no different. Ambroxyde 17, from the brand’s Medium Concrete Candle collection, is an intoxicating incantation. The aromatic focal point is dedicated to the natural ambergris aroma. It also contains jasmine petals and an uplifting moss that will surely make it a forever classic—to be enjoyed on repeat after winter, too.
To spoil yourself—or, let’s be honest, any party hosts you’d like to ensure will be sending a return invitation—consider Jo Malone London’s latest set. The limited-edition holiday lineup offers three elegant scents to savor: Roasted Chestnut, Frosted Cherry Clove, and Pomegranate Noir.
Nothing trumps a chic Italian Natale in Florence. This new candle embodies that sense of celebration, its most delectable notes of fresh spices entwined with bergamot, bitter orange and pomegranate accord.
Loewe’s newest candle, Incense, comes in a gorgeous blue vessel—and is a fabulous ode to the truly delightful frankincense resin. There are also hints of playful citrus, which turns sweet as the candle burns.
A thoroughly festive candle where the artistically visual centerpiece of the candle is a goldfish to emanate luck, prosperity, and good fortune. Citrus notes entwined with musky sandalwood create the enchanting vibes of Christmas morning.
Trudon never fails to create a visually stunning candle to burn. With Fir, you’ll also find a blissful holiday scent of myrrh essence, Siberian incense, Chinese cedar, and Guaiac wood.
This is the perfect woodsy candle to fill the room with classic aromas of Christmas. It’s brimming with sparkling notes of pine tree needles and the perfect dose of sweet ginger to elevate any room to a bright holiday mood.
This candle’s sexy scent will, without fail, set the mood for your most intimate moments by the fireplace. Here, there’s a smoldering blend of Pimento berries, exotic Bulgarian rose aromas, and very delicate hints of vanilla and patchouli that, when combined, lend beautiful depth.
This is a calming Madagascar vanilla infusion swathed in apricot and gorgeous amber accords. Sunday Edition is a newly launched, environmentally friendly candle company, whose product comes in a reusable ceramic jar; the wax is crafted from coconut and soy (all the wicks are made of cotton). The candles are also free of parabens and phthalates, and packaging is plastic-free.
The star note of this floral candle is delicate rose essential oil. The proprietary blend has been crafted to up one’s serotonin levels, thus promoting happiness and a sense of calm. Violet and sandalwood musk surround the rose oil, adding to the tranquility factor.
Yellowstone vibes all the way. We fell for this candle’s rustic scent, inspired by Aspen insiders’ longtime favorite place to stay, The Hotel Jerome. Golden embers, vintage cedarwood, and nuanced smoke notes make this candle a great option to burn at your next ski trip.
Inspired by the picturesque Sierra mountains, this medley of flavors will surely become a favorite. Juniper berry notes are encased in a silky combination of cypress, palo santo, and wood smoke. The coconut waxed candle is presented in a recyclable and reusable carafe.
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