May your festive season be especially merry and bright this year, with our pick of the very best winter candles.
As the days grow shorter and the air takes on that unmistakable winter chill, there’s nothing quite like the soft flicker of candlelight to bring warmth and wonder into your home.
Across cultures and celebrations – from Diwali to Hanukkah and Christmas – twinkling candles have long been a source of joy, hope and togetherness, and they also make delightful gifts for friends and family at this time of year.
With so many luxury options to choose from, we’ve gathered up some of our favourite winter warmers, including limited editions from Bamford and Diptyque. Expect popular aromas of woody pines, mouthwatering pumpkin and fire-like incense, for candles that will make you feel very warm inside.
Discover the best winter candles to bring maximum joy to the season, as recommended by the CF experts.
The perfect pick for gifting, although we wouldn't blame you for keeping it all to yourself, the Bamford Chestnut Cashmere Candle is a total treat. Blending sweet candied chestnut with warm, comforting cashmere, alongside a hint of smoky pepper and vetiver for depth, it basically smells like winter wrapped in a luxury blanket. Plus, it's made with 100% natural wax and is housed in a beautifully frosted jar with lunar-phase artwork, so it's not just a treat for your nose but for your eyes too.
If you’re looking for a diffuser that’s as beautiful as it is fragrant, Baobab's diffuser is the one for you. With warming notes of cinnamon, almond and cedarwood, it instantly fills your space with a soothing, woody-spicy ambiance, and, in a unique touch, the glass vessel is decorated with a Uniwax print that glows when light passes through. In the true spirit of the season of giving, each purchase of the diffuser helps support tree‑planting projects in Côte d’Ivoire – so it smells gorgeous and does good too.
Pumpkin spice lovers, meet your new obsession. Diptyque’s Citrouille candle marries warm pumpkin with notes of clove and cinnamon, evoking cosy autumnal nostalgia that effortlessly extends into winter. Hand-poured in France, it offers a rich, comforting scent that fills the room with festive spirit without overpowering you, and the iconic Diptyque glass vessel is a classic addition to any mantel or coffee table.
This candle is an absolute treat for the senses! Jo Malone’s Ginger Biscuit scent combines spicy ginger with buttery biscuit notes for a deliciously warm and slightly sweet fragrance that's gourmand without being sickly. Perfect for winter afternoons and festive gatherings, it’s like baking your favorite holiday treats – without the calories – and makes the perfect gift considering that Jo Malone London tops so many Christmas wish lists.
For a citrus twist to your winter warmer Jo Loves' diffuser offers an energising blend of zesty lime, bergamot, and a warm amber base. This combination refreshes the air and lifts the mood, counteracting those gloomy, cold days like nothing else. We really love the eye-catching circular diffuser shape too, which releases fragrance steadily for weeks. It’s a perfect alternative for those who prefer subtle home fragrances without a flame – bringing brightness and elegance to every winter sanctuary.
Nature lovers will adore this one – and it is less than £40! Piglet in Bed’s candle evokes a deep woodland vibe with its earthy moss, green leaves, and soft floral notes, making lighting it like a peaceful walk through a frost-kissed forest. Made with soy wax and a cotton wick, the simple, rustic design complements any cosy nook, inviting calm and grounding energy into your winter evenings. Know a stressed-out host? This is the gift to give them.
Rituals is known for its gutsy fragrant candles that give you a lot of bang for your buck, and the Intuitia candle is a true winter relaxer. Blending calming herbs with hints of amber and musk, it creates an atmosphere perfect for unwinding after a long, chilly day, and the wooden wick adds an authentic, soothing crackle sound to the experience, as if you were pampering yourself in front of an open fire.
For those who love variety, this luxurious set from Van Cleef & Arpels lets you explore three exquisite scents – each a mini escape from cold, winter evenings when you might want to switch moods with ease. From woody to floral to fresh, these candles bring a sophisticated, layered fragrance experience to your home, which can transport you to fresher spring days, or help you embrace the frosty festivities happening around you. That decision is up to you!
The ultimate festive treat, Nest’s Pumpkin Chai candle wraps your room in spicy chai tea, sweet pumpkin, cinnamon, and clove. It’s cosy, inviting, and totally nostalgic – the perfect scent to evoke holiday cheer and comfort. The three-wick design fills large spaces with ease (which you might need for when all your family come over!), creating a rich aroma that lasts for hours. Light this when you want your home to feel like a warm hug.
Espa’s Soothing Candle is like a mini spa session in a jar. Featuring pure essential oils of geranium, ylang-ylang, and frankincense, it promotes calm and clarity, perfect for meditation, relaxation, or simply creating a serene atmosphere when the cold weather has you craving peace. The minimalist white ceramic vessel adds understated elegance to any room and the natural mineral wax burns cleanly for up to 50 hours.
Christmas doesn't feel quite like Christmas without a Neom Cosy Nights candle burning in your lounge near the tree – it's a total winter classic. Blending sandalwood, frankincense, and nutmeg, it delivers a comforting, warm aroma that’s perfect for curling up on cold nights and makes your home feel just that little more festive every time you light it. Opt for the three-wick design for up to 50 hours of delight from its 100% natural essential oil-based ingredients.
If you adore gourmand scents, the L’Occitane Almond Candle will steal your heart. With a subtly sweet almond fragrance reminiscent of fresh marzipan and soft vanilla, it's as cosy as your favourite jumper, and made with 100% natural wax, so will burn clean and long. It's also rather minimalist in design, fitting into any home – and that means you can also enjoy it once the decorations of the festive season come down, without it looking out of place.
This candle is pure luxury, evoking that rich, cocooning atmosphere that is only really achieved in the most exclusive spas in the world. Combining rich natural oud wood with lavender, saffron, patchouli, and musk, this is a deeply seductive and mysterious scent, perfect for anyone hosting big parties during the festive season… or just wanting to be enveloped with a bold scent as you sit on the sofa.
For a fresh take on winter scents, Floris London’s Grapefruit & Rosemary candle offers a lively burst of citrus and herbal notes. Hand-poured with pure fragrance oils, zesty grapefruit pairs with aromatic rosemary, jasmine, and melon, rounded out by sandalwood and musk for balance, making for a unique but memorable scent that you and your guests won't be able to get enough of. All in all, a fantastic choice for those who want winter warmth with a bright, modern twist.
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Lead image credit: Nest
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