Twelve Wishlists of Christmas: Candles
If your loved ones own a dog, enjoy a sneaky cigarette indoors or like to cook anything relatively fragrant, they will always appreciate a candle. It’s a bloody minefield out there though, and if you’ve been guilty of buying anyone the scent of a “Childs Wish,” this one is for you! Don’t fall into the trap of buying specifically Christmassy scented candles as come the new year they’ll go away with the decorations to be forgotten about. Rather, go for wintery scents that can be used into the new year and won’t leave the room smelling purely of cloves. Here’s my round up, and you’ll see we get through a dozen without one Yankee bloody candle!
1. Incense and Embers by Jo Malone. My all time favourite, and if it came in a fragrance, I’d wear it! The best description I can come up with is a sexy bonfire and you honestly can’t go wrong with this one!
2. If you’re feeling extravagant, Dark Amber and Ginger Lily from Jo Malone’s intense range is bloody gorgeous, and smells even better whilst burnt with Incense and Embers. This one does come as fragrance thankfully! Beware that as its wax is black when you blow the wick out there is a risk of a very black nose!
3. Anyone who has used Nars Body Oil knows they excel at capturing scent, and their candles are no different. With chocolate and coffee bean notes, Acapulco is my choice!
4. Working for Clinique for five years left me with an everlasting dislike for their iconic fragrance, Aromatics. Timeless classic or not, once it got in my nostrils there was no escaping it. They’ve changed the game this year with the launch of Aromatics Black and the candle is to die for. With notes of myrrh, it’s a gift fit for a king.
5. The White Company do a fantastic fragrance range and their pomegranate collection is one to rival Jo Malone’s. Their Winter candle is much loved this time of year however I find the clove notes to be over powering. Opt instead for the Limited Edition White Christmas with notes of neroli and frankincense, with 10% of the cost going to charity.
6. If you’re looking for something that packs a bit more punch, The White Company’s Cassis is a delight year round. The blackcurrant notes are softened by the heady cedar and patchouli and there’s even some clove in there for those craving it.
7. If you haven’t had a Woodwick candle before, treat yourself whilst picking up presents as they are perfect for a night in wrapping presents. Not only do they each smell great, they crackle as they burn, so if you can’t risk an open fire on accounts of children, animals or general drunkenness, these make you feel like you have one without the risk! Try Timber which has a citrusy amber feel to it.
8. Now I'm usually against anything that claims to capture the scent of someone’s wish because above all else, it’s a little creepy, but Neom can be excused with their limited edition Christmas Wish and my fave, Perfect Peace. They come in gorgeous glass jars specked with gold and each have a blend of over 20 essential oils, Perfect Peace including lime to keep it light and fresh.
9. John Lewis’s Croft range is seriously impressive and their Fig and Amber is delicious. Burn whilst eating to leave your mouth watering!
10. This is the second year we’ve gone without a real tree, and whilst I love all 8ft of our bushy wonder, I do miss the smell a real one brings. This is why I'm treating myself to an Ecoya Fresh Pine Needles candle, so I can smell it all year round! They’re also paraffin free so you can rest easy that you’re being kind to the environment!
11. On that note, Jo Malone does a Pine and Eucalyptus candle, however, if you want to be a little different why not get their Room Diffuser? I could still smell my last one a year after putting it out but it isn't over bearing, however needs to be left in open spaces (the top of the stairs is great!)
12. As my wild card, I'm throwing in these advent candles! Get them now in sale ready for an early gift next year or for yourself. No scent but a lovely way to countdown to the big day!