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I'm Adding All 15 Of These Winter Candles To My Shopping Cart RN

With scents of pine, spearmint, and even gingerbread, I'm never leaving my apartment again.

by Kelsey Mulvey

Dec. 14, 2022

These are some of the coziest winter candles.

Harlem Candle Company, Homecourt, La Jolie

We may receive a portion of sales if you purchase a product through a link in this article.

Fall might be sweater weather, but winter is officially candle season—trust me, I should know. As someone with an entire cart full of fragrances in my office—yes, you read that correctly, a cart—I’ve become something of a candle connoisseur. (I dish out scent recs as liberally as I double-tap on Instagram.) And, while I light a candle every morning before I dive into work, winter is the coziest time to set a flame ablaze. Not only does a small flicker feel particularly warm on a cold, snowy day, but the assortment of scents also provides a consistently cheery aroma that a room spray or batch of cookies simply can’t.

Problem is, with so many brands and scents to sift through, finding the perfect cozy scent is easier said than done. (I hate to be a downer, but it might take you all winter to find the one fragrance that speaks to your senses.) So, where to begin? While most people love woodsy notes of pine and cypress, a musky candle is the olfactory equivalent to snuggling up in a big armchair next to the fireplace. And how can you possibly go wrong with a sweet scent that smells like a home-cooked meal—no kitchen work required? To help, take a whiff of these 15 top candles to add to your cart ASAP. From seasonal citruses to a bouquet of forest fragrances, the picks below will ensure your holidays are merry and bright. (Pun intended.)

Vert Deco Holiday Edition Fireplace Candle

Brooklyn Candle Studio

Thanks to Brooklyn Candle Studio’s holiday candle, you don’t need a functioning hearth to bring the cozy vibes into your home. Cased in a minimalist container, notes of incense, ash, cedar, and sandalwood work overtime to recreate the aroma of a roaring fireplace.

St. Nicholas Luxury Candle

Harlem Candle Company

Since 2014, Harlem Candle Co. has been making candles that (quite literally) shine a light on Harlem. This scent pays homage to the neighborhood’s beloved St. Nicholas Avenue and Santa Claus. Available in a vibrant canister—which means it’ll match your holiday decor—the candle’s notes of ginger, pine, cedar, and cinnamon bark create that perfect mix of sweet and sylvan.

Balsam Fireplace Limited Edition Candle

For a classic holiday candle that appeals to all the senses, Homecourt’s limited-edition Balsam Fireplace candle is a no-brainer. This pick is on the pricier end; however, it delivers. The mix of seasonal scents like balsam, juniper, amber, and cardamom smells just like a Christmas tree, while the ceramic container makes this perfect for showing off at dinner parties. And thanks to its 60-hour burn time, Balsam Fireplace will work its magic all season long.

Woody Leather Candle

Sacred Dusk Candle

On the hunt for a festive candle that doesn’t scream Christmas? The unique blend of palo santo, crimson incense, and cypress bark in Otherland’s Sacred Dusk is a clear winner. (Woodsy? Earthy? Spicy? Check, check, and check.) Another thing to love is its artful canister, which means it looks just as good as it smells.

Bourbon Vanille Candle

Rosie! Filo Rose & Honey Candle

Named after a core member of the Dynamos, the girl band featured in 'Mamma Mia!,' this candle’s look and inspiration might evoke warm summer days. However, its hints of vanilla, spicy filo, and toasted pistachio smells just like a drool-inducing, home-cooked meal. It’s a scent that feels warm and welcoming year-round, but when lit during the holidays? *Chef’s kiss.*

Incensorial Candle

Whoever thought citrus candles are best suited for summer needs to waft this wintry mix in their space. Here, rich tones like sandalwood, suede, and blond tobacco offset the lighter orange peel, apricot, and ginger, giving this fruity fragrance a moody twist.

Latkes and Lights Candle

Wild Figs Candle

Trade in your ho-hum fruit cake for this appetizing, fruit-forward candle from Keap. The Brooklyn-based brand made a rich, complex fragrance with fig, berries, rockrose, and hawthorn. The result? A light-yet-luxe scent that packs on the holiday cheer.

No. 11 La Themis Candle

Maison Louis Marie

Think of this as an elevated take on the season’s minty treats. With bursts of eucalyptus, spearmint, wintergreen, and tonka bean, this option is light, refreshing and just a bit sweet. (You know, like your secret stash of candy canes.)

Cinnamon Cider Textured Glass Candle

Mallow Dramatic Candle

Speaking of seasonal sips, allow me to introduce you to Mallow Dramatic by Forvr Mood. With a base of charred marshmallow—and hints of frothed milk, creamy coconut, cinnamon, and cardamon—this fluffy fragrance will pair nicely with a big cup of hot cocoa. (With plenty of marshmallows, obviously!)

Midnight in Harlem Candle

Sometimes, the best seasonal scents aren’t the most obvious; they’re the gentler ones that provide a delightful background to your annual festivities. Wanderlust-inspired candle company Passport Seven delivered the perfect option with its Midnight in Harlem offering. The powdery base is undercut with a bite of cypress and sandalwood white cedar, creating a happy medium between seasonal and subtle.

Gingerbread House Candles

Glasshouse Fragrances

Of course, no conversation about holiday candles would be complete without the almighty gingerbread. Glasshouse perfected the unmistakable aroma with a complex assortment of notes like tonka bean, clove, caramel, and ginger, among others. As if the sweet-yet-spicy blend hasn’t already won you over, the ridiculously chic canister will. (Pro tip: Clean it out after your candle has completely burned and use it as holiday decor!)