Coming in from the bitter cold and lighting your favourite wick is practically medicinal in the winter months. Which explains why Net-A-Porter often notice a seasonal 180% spike in scented candle sales during December.
‘Candles are part of our armour against winter,’ explains Tom Daxon, founder and creative director of his eponymous fragrance brand. The trick to making them last? ‘Burn them for two hours on the first lighting,' says Daxon, 'this way the wax will melt into a pool all the way to the edge, encouraging an even burn. Also, before each burn, trim the wick to about 5mm to stop the flame from being too strong, preventing that black smoke.’
Taking care of your Christmas candles
Here's a few more ways you can take care of your Christmas candles to make them last longer:
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Trim the wick: As mentioned prior, before lighting your candle, trim the wick to about 5mm. This allows a clean burn and prevents excessive smoke.
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Avoid Tunneling: Allow the candle to burn long enough for the surface to melt to prevent a tunnel forming.
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Keep it clean: If the candle has a lid, keep it covered to prevent debris and dust setting into the wax.
The offerings this year? They're nothing short of spectacular. Take Kleio's collaboration with the much celebrated author and historian Gareth Russell, for starters. Their festive candle 'Christmas at the Palace,' looks set to sell-out, and for good reason. An olfactive interpretation of Christmas at Hampton Court Palace in 1540, expect a heady blend of peppercorn, sugared plum, black cardamom, and firewood. Housed in a vessel hand-finished with metal leaf, it's the epitome of opulence from start to finish.
To help you choose your perfect match, we’ve collated the most moreish Christmas candles, from warming spicy scents to sophisticated floral blends in an array of shapes and sizes. Shop our top picks below.
SHOP: The Best Christmas Candles 2023
www.fenwick.co.uk
Christmas just isn't Christmas without a Jo Malone festive candle, and this year's beautiful orange bitters edition is all refreshing citrus and sandalwood.
www.cultbeauty.co.uk
With hints of saffron, musk and sandalwood, Acqua Di Parma's Christmas Neve Fresca Orient Candle brings a heady hit of warmth to your living room. It's a favourite among the Grazia team.
www.thewhitecompany.com
Let's be honest - this list would be incomplete without a candle from The White Company. The three-wick winter botanical candle is infused with cinnamon sticks, orange slices and red berries - does it really get more festive than that?
www.selfridges.com
Mandarin, cinnamon and tonka bean combine for a truly magical experience that's sure to leave your home smelling (and looking) delicious.
www.selfridges.com
Any Carrière Frères offering is a cause for excitement and this gorgeous Christmas candle is no different. While the beautiful votive had us at hello, it's the scent that truly takes centre stage - pine and ginger make for the ultimate power duo.
www.harveynichols.com
Christmas in a candle - expect a woody, earthy scent that smells just like a luscious fir tree. It's a special one, so you'll want to save it until Christmas day.
www.libertylondon.com
Fragrance fanatics will want Diptyque's new candles, for the collectors' value alone, but just wait until you smell the soft harmony of dried fruits and vanilla. Post-burn, the glass makes a chic make-up brush pot, too.
Jo Loves Christmas Trees Candle
Jo Loves' glorious Christmas Trees candle takes you on a scented journey from fresh pine needles to sweet incense and finishes with a lavender, all in one pot. Heavenly.
www.flannels.com
'Whipped cream foam, a suede jacket, the scent of cedar, blood orange, the lyrics burn baby burn as your heart floats in a fluffy vanilla sky, the night you fall in love in the Meatpacking District...' Yep, Discothèque's Crisco Disco is nothing short of dazzling - consider it the ultimate party season candle.
www.cultbeauty.co.uk
The Gabriel Classic Candle by Trudon springs happy memories during the winter time. The gold covered case is filled with hand-poured wax and is reminiscent of a woodland.
www.harveynichols.com
JUL is Scandinavian for ‘Christmas’. The candle invites notes of baked gingerbread, winter cloves spiced oranges and mulled wine.
Soy wax vs Paraffin wax
Soy wax is derived from soybeans and is considered the eco-friendly option. It is a biodegradable and renewable resource and is known to be cleaner than paraffin but the scent may not be as strong. Paraffin wax on the other hand is a byproduct of petroleum refining but can offer a longer burning time and a better scent throw.
How do I choose the right candle fragrance?
Select a fragrance that suits the room’s purpose. For relaxation, opt for calming scents like lavender and camomile. For a warm and cozy atmosphere opt for vanilla, cinnamon, and sandalwood.