A fragrance expert’s best Christmas candles including Yankee Candles for under £4 and M&S

Scented candles are a fabulous Christmas gift idea, particularly for those who seem to have everything. They not only make the home smell divine but also create a cosy ambience and serve as a luxurious indulgence that most people wouldn’t splurge on themselves.

As a self-confessed candle hoarder, I’ve burned through hundreds in my lifetime and always have a stash ready to go. Now that my autumnal scents have been used up, I’m reaching for festive fragrances as we approach Christmas. Think rich spices, fresh pine and seasonal citrus fruits, all ideally presented in a jar that’s a bit special or sparkly. Here are my top picks for every budget…

12 best Christmas candles for 2024

• Yankee Candle London Christmas Tea Signature Large Jar 567g: Was £29.99, now £20.99 from Debenhams

• NEOM Winter Wellbeing Candle Trio 3 x 75g: £48 from NEOM

• Diptyque Sapin Classic Candle 190g: £68 from Harrods

• Yankee Candle Christmas 2024 Signature WOW Gift Set: Was £50, now £19.50 from Debenhams

• The White Company Winter Mercury Luxury Votive Candle 95g: £16 from LookFantastic

• NEST New York Holiday Classic Candle & Diffuser Set: £95 from Sephora

• M&S London Light Up Scented Candle: £10 from Marks & Spencer

• ESPA Winter Spice Candle 200g: Was £45, now £40.50 from LookFantastic

• Liz Earle Spiced Bitter Orange Botanical Candle 220g: Was £37, now £27.75 from Liz Earle

• Space NK Shimmering Spice 3-Wick Scented Candle 400g: £42 from Space NK

• The White Collection Gingerbread Scented Candle 160g: £8 from Boots

• Jo Malone London Bitter Orange & Chocolate Ceramic Candle: £100 from Lookfantastic

• Lords Abernethy Forest Winter 3 Wick Candle 650g: £62 from Lords

Yankee Candle London Christmas Tea Signature Large Jar 567g

Was £29.99, now £20.99 from Debenhams

Big, heavy and strongly scented, Yankee Candles are guaranteed crowd-pleasers. Its Christmas collection is inspired by festive celebrations around the world, including this London Christmas Tea fragrance, with notes of ginger, black tea, cinnamon and woods.

NEOM Winter Wellbeing Candle Trio 3 x 75g

£48 from NEOM

I’m a huge fan of NEOM’s candles, and this year’s Christmas collection is just stunning, with gorgeous packaging and scents that really fill the home. Unsure which scent to go for? Buy this three-piece set, which contains a 75g candle of each: cinnamon-y Christmas Wish, pine-inspired Perfect Peace, and warm, woody Cosy NIghts.

Diptyque Sapin Classic Candle 190g

£68 from Harrods

Scented candles don’t come much better than Diptyque’s and I defy you to find anyone who wouldn’t be blown away to receive this as a Christmas present. Sapin – a fresh, earthy, pine tree scent – is one of the brand’s most popular at Christmas, and you’ll smell it as soon as you open the box. This year’s has been designed by artist Lucy Sparrow and features a felt decoration and luxe gold lid.

Yankee Candle Christmas 2024 Signature WOW Gift Set

Was £50, now £19.50 from Debenhams

Another Yankee Candle idea, but here’s a way to get seven different ones for less than £20. My exact gift set pictured is no longer available bit I’ve found an even better deal: this gift set usually costs £50 but is currently down to £19.50 at Debenhams. This means that each product inside – one medium jar, three filled votives and three wax melts – could technically be valued at £2.44.White Spruce & Grapefruit is a lovely fresh, zingy scent, while Black Cherry and Christmas Cookie are perfect for those who love gourmands.

The White Company Winter Mercury Luxury Votive Candle 95g

£16 from LookFantastic

For a candle that looks as good as it smells, go for this chic little White Company votive. What is lacks in size, it makes up for in scent, as it smells exactly like mulled wine tastes: warming, spicy, lightly fruity. Once it’s burned down, clean it out and use it as a tea light holder.

NEST New York Holiday Classic Candle & Diffuser Set

£95 from Sephora

This NEST candle is what we imagine Kris Jenner’s house smells like at Christmas; with notes of pomegranate, pine, vanilla and amber, it just smells (and looks) expensive. Your best option is to buy this candle and diffuser set together – it makes the ultimate gift.

M&S London Light Up Scented Candle

£10 from Marks & Spencer

Another favourite every year, M&S’s light up candles are always a hit, often selling out in advance of the festive season; just light the candle in the centre and LED lights will turn on, illuminating a beautiful London scene. It’s not the strongest smelling one of the bunch, but what it lacks in powerful aroma it makes up for in dazzling style.

The particular London design was sold out online at the time of writing (although you may find it in stores still), but this other light up design is similar.

ESPA Winter Spice Candle 200g

Was £45, now £40.50 from LookFantastic

Another that hits your as soon as you open its elaborate box, and another with strong whiffs of mulled wine: sweet orange, clove, cinnamon and ginger. This one has a slightly more spa-like vibe though, high in mood-boosting essential oils, and a smart gold lid.

Liz Earle Spiced Bitter Orange Botanical Candle 220g

Was £37, now £27.75 from Liz Earle

Want a candle that’ll see you through the festive period and into spring? This Liz Earle offering is the one for you. Its design is refreshingly spangle-free for a Christmas candle, and its spiced orange scent smells as fresh as it does festive.

Space NK Shimmering Spice 3-Wick Scented Candle 400g

£42 from Space NK

High up on many a beauty editor’s Christmas wish list every year, Space NK’s stunning Shimmering Spice candle has acquired cult status, with notes of cinnamon, cedar and all spice. I think this big three-wicker is good value compared to many others, but it’s also available in 75g (£18) and 190g (£28).

The White Collection Gingerbread Scented Candle 160g

£8 from Boots

One for those with a sweet tooth or fans of the current gourmand fragrance trend, this smells like a freshly baked gingerbread house (albeit fairly faintly). For £8 though, it’s good value, and I’m impressed that it comes with a metal lid/stand.

Jo Malone London Bitter Orange & Chocolate Ceramic Candle

£100 from Lookfantastic

Another real showstopper, from Jo Malone London’s 2024 Christmas collection, and one that’s almost to beautiful to light. The scent is a gorgeous gourmand that you’ll smell before you even open the (equally beautiful) box, like the poshest, most luxurious Terry’s Chocolate Orange in existence.

Lords Abernethy Forest Winter 3 Wick Candle 650g

£62 from Lords

This lovely home fragrance brand is a fairly new discovery to me, and I’ve fallen in love with its scents inspired by locations around the world – including Abernethy Forest in Scotland, with notes of pine needle, cedarwood, eucalyptus, patchouli, peppermint, lavandin and fir balsam. The 225g jar I have is currently out of stock, but the larger three-wick one is still available.