Getting into the Christmas spirit is sometimes an arduous task. Faced with the demands of Christmas shopping, it's easy to feel more jaded than jolly as the holidays approach. But one guaranteed way to beat the winter blues is to put your feet up and relax with a sumptuous scented candle.
Whether you prefer the evocative scent of a forest in winter or the enchanting sweetness of berries – pick one of these beautifully packaged candles and you'll be dissolving your stresses in no time.
The top five
Jo Malone – Orange Bitters Christmas Candle
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In this limited-edition candle, crisp mandarin and sweet orange combine with a rich base of sandalwood. A sophisticated fragrance hidden inside a decorative ceramic pot, the candle could easily be reused once the wax has burnt away.
Fornasetti Profumi – Golden Burlesque
This enticing blend of oriental spices is hard to resist. Unusual traces of thyme and lavender are combined with the candle's signature otto fragrance and, in true Fornasetti fashion, the decorated pot features the iconic Italian soprano Lina Cavalieri. Light up your holidays with this alluring scent and let Christmas get a whole lot merrier.
Willow and Honey – Black Pomegranate
Black Pomegranate is definitely the standout scent this Christmas with its wonderfully intense blend of pomegranate, plum and cedar wood. The handmade candle, which softly crackles when it burns, is designed to transform any home into a sultry winter wonderland.
Wilnelia Forsyth – Celebration
The unconventional blend of rose, patchouli, sandalwood and frankincense in this candle works wonders. Drawing inspiration from the tropical flowers of the Caribbean, alongside the vintage glamour of the 1950s, the candle's sweet and earthy notes come together to give a potent edge to an ambrosial aroma.
Yankee Candle – Festive Cocktail
A fresh fragrance made up of woody pines and mountain berries, it isn't hard to imagine this candle as a sweet drink. Light this one just before a gathering and there would be little need for anything else to put everyone into the Christmas spirit.
The runners-up
Espa - Restorative candle
From the global spa company, ESPA, this orange, palmarosa and lavender-infused candleevokes the firm's therapeutic roots. The subtle citrus undertones of the palmarosa and orange blend tastefully with the sharpness of lavender, producing a clean-cut scent that refreshes the mind. The perfect way to rejuvenate during the festive frenzy of Christmas.
Janjira – Ylang Ylang and Jasmine Massaging Candle
The deep, floral flavour of this candle completely transforms the atmosphere. The candle wax, made up of soybean and coconut oil, can be used as a massage oil to soften the skin when melted – a plus for this drying winter. It isn't difficult to see why this candle was shortlisted in the 2016 Pure Beauty Awards as Best New Body Care product.
Monique Hart – Bleeding Hart Candle
This eco-friendly product has a pleasingly robust fragrance. While the scent of lemon is undeniable, the candle also has an organic mix of lavender rose, cedar wood and geranium, all soothing sedatives. Created after extensive scientific research, each scent has been selected for its calming effects on the brain. This candle is constantly used for signature treatments at the Hart Spa in Middleton, Staffordshire.
Willow and Honey – Spiced Orange
Citrus notes are layered on top of hints of cinnamon, nutmeg and clove to give a cosy balance of dark spices. For the packaging, Willow and Honey collaborated with the fashion illustrator Mekel, whose signature style of delicately hand-drawn watercolour illustrations are known worldwide.
Yankee Candle – All is Bright
This sparkling blend of citrus and warm musk is like a breath of fresh air. Powerful citrus tones brighten up the atmosphere, providing a refreshing contrast to the often overused warmth of festive spices. This candle is perhaps more of a morning refresher than a cosy, warming scent for winter evenings.
Diptyque – Holiday Candle Set
Deftly mixing pine-laden tones of patchouli and spices, this candle set is about as Christmassy as it gets. From warm gingerbread to hints of honey, all three of the candles – Sparkling Incense, Delicious Spices and Festive Fire Tree – offer a delightful twist on the classic scents of the season.
St Eval – Figgy Pudding Scented Gold Dipped Multiwick Candle
This hand-dipped ornament with its striking gold effect base is something of a style statement. Its most eye-catching feature is its two-toned appearance, but this multi-wicked fig-scented candle can also be lit for up to 110 hours.
Neom – Perfect Peace
Thanks to the inclusion of pine, myrrh and lime peel, Neom's limited-edition candle is true to its name. Whether you're looking for a mood lifter (the candle features 25 essential oils) or a beautiful, relaxing scent to curl up to, Perfect Peace has been expertly blended to fill your home with the happy scent of Christmas. As Neom says: "breathe deeply and feel your tension lifting away".
Oliver Bonas – Pink Pepper & Gingerwood Scented Candle
Handmade in Sussex, this blend of pink pepper and gingerwood from Oliver Bonas is designed to warm even the coldest of homes this winter. The festive fusion of warm spices and subtle florals gives an opulent surge of zesty flavour.
Miller Harris – Hope & Joy Christmas Candle
Famous for its mastery of complex couture scents, the classic perfume company Miller Harris has created a smell so sumptuous, you might be tempted to wear the melted wax as a perfume. The wintry blend of wooden scents is definitely one for those cold winter nights beside the fire.
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