What do candles symbolize at Christmas?

Candles and Christmas go way back – just like candles and other winter celebrations of light. Candles feature prominently at Hanukkah, St. Lucia Day, and Yule. 

We find the first historical references to candles at Christmas during the Middle Ages – when a large candle was lit to symbolize the Star of Bethlehem.

This simple ritual gradually developed into the tradition of the five-candle Advent wreath. One candle is lit each Sunday leading up to Christmas – with the fifth candle lit on Christmas Day. Each candle symbolizes a different aspect of Jesus’ birth story. 

Pagan religions often lit candles at the winter solstice as a reminder that spring was coming.

It’s almost like we need candles and their soft light to get through the year’s darkest days.

What is the best Christmas smell?

While the answer is undoubtedly subjective – we think you’ll find your favorite scent profile in our festive Holiday candle collection!

But our North Pole Christmas candle’s clean, crisp scent might be my favorite.

While watching The Polar Express, we wondered what it's like to take a deep breath in Santa's Village.

In our imagination, the air smells of candy canes -- but with a hint of warmth like a cozy toddy or freshly baked cookie.

Our North Pole candle captures that nostalgic childhood fantasy scent in a jar of Christmas cheer!

To create our North Pole fragrance, we blend fresh peppermint and cozy vanilla -- creating a divine concoction of holiday goodness.

It will give you visions of reindeer, elves, and talking snowmen.

Go ahead, take a senti-MINT-al journey to the North Pole.

What is the best candle for Christmas?

Our holiday book candles inspired by The Nutcracker are real crowd-pleasers – with crackling wood wicks for extra cozy vibes.

Yep, The Nutcracker is based on a book – not a folk tale. Surprised?

The Nutcracker and the Mouse King was written in 1816 by Prussian author E.T.A. Hoffman.

But many of us learned the story of The Nutcracker from Tchaikovsky’s iconic ballet.  

Music like The Waltz of the Flowers and The Dance of the Sugar Plum Fairy has become synonymous with Christmas. 

Our Nutcracker candle is a comforting holiday blend -- with cozy aromas of roasted chestnut, hazelnut, and pecan -- and undertones of warm vanilla, maple, and caramel.

Want a scent that’s a little more effervescent?

Our Sugar Plum Fairy candle is a jolly holiday party -- full of luscious plums, fresh strawberries, and sparkling wine.

These wood-wick candles will delight young and old -- just like The Nutcracker. 

What candle smells most like Christmas?

They say that Charles Dickens invented the themes of our modern Christmas with his iconic classic A Christmas Carol. 

And we think our holiday candles inspired by A Christmas Carol set the perfect Christmas mood – just like Dickens.

Fancy a fresh Christmas tree scent?

Ebenezer is inspired by Scrooge's transformation from "Bah Humbug" to "Merry Christmas!"

The woodsy winter aromas of cedar, sandalwood, and earthy green fern -- symbolize Ebenezer's love for his sister, Fern.

This fragrance makes you feel invigorated -- like throwing open the sash on a bright winter's morning and realizing

"It's Christmas Day! I haven't missed it!"

Want a scent to make you feel warm and snug?

This sentimental candle – inspired by the warmth in Bob Cratchit's home – smells of all things merry and bright.

Because I don't know about you, but I'm a sucker for cranberry -- it smells like festive comfort.

And the spiced cran-orange aroma of Christmas at the Cratchit House smells like a cozy holiday celebration.

Christmas at the Cratchit House is an enticing blend of cranberry, valencia orange, and apple -- with hints of holiday spice -- finished with a whisper of mistletoe.

Light this candle and feel like you have a festive pot of holiday goodness simmering away on the stove.

Both Christmas candles have crackling wood wicks for extra cozy vibes.

What is the most popular Christmas scent?

Krampusnacht is a naughty twist on a holiday candle – and this delightfully balanced holiday scent is one of our annual bestsellers!

Inspired by Alpine folklore, this candle celebrates our favorite Christmas monster.

According to legend, Krampus and Santa Claus are a holiday pair.

Santa visits the good children -- and Krampus punishes the wicked.

Our Krampusnacht candle is a festive -- if somewhat sinister fragrance.

The blend of blood orange, smoked cedarwood, and sage evokes cozy holiday comfort -- while also banishing evil spirits.

It's a cheeky gift for that one friend who should be on the naughty list.

Or a festive gift for yourself.

Christmas Eve Candles

Our Night Before Christmas candle is the perfect candle for Christmas Eve.

Night Before Christmas is inspired by Clement Clark Moore's poem "A Visit from St. Nicholas" -- colloquially known as Twas the Night Before Christmas.

Moore wrote the poem in 1822 -- for his children on Christmas Eve.

Legend has it that he was inspired by the snowy streets of Greenwich Village -- as he made his way home after purchasing a Christmas turkey.

His sleigh driver -- yes, he was in a sleigh -- is said to have been a jolly, bearded Dutchman.

This cozy holiday candle smells of children all snug in their beds -- with notes of comforting flannel, cozy cotton, and heirloom mahogany --

While the aromas of earl grey tea and soothing lavender -- make visions of sugar plums dance in your head.

To complete the holiday hygge vibe, Night Before Christmas has a crackling wood wick.

You'll think St. Nick is about to come down the chimney. 

Vintage Christmas Candles

Is there anything more nostalgic than a luminary candle? We wanted to capture that magic in a jar – so you can enjoy it again and again.

We also wanted to showcase the charm of our Pittsburgh home.

Stars Over Pittsburgh is our ode to the quiet beauty of The Steel City in winter.

The candle's translucent label allows the flame's dancing light to shine through Pittsburgh's starry skyline,

Creating a festive luminary effect in your favorite holiday space!

BONUS: Stars Over Pittsburgh features our amazingly hygge Burning Embers fragrance.

This cozy blend of smoked hardwood and cedar is given extra pizzazz with our favorite winter spices.

You won't believe how much it smells like a real burning fireplace.

Unusual Christmas Bookshelf Decor

While you might be surprised that The Shining is part of our holiday candle collection, the story always had a Christmas or New Year’s vibe to me.

Not in a "merry and bright" way.

More like a boozy winter in a blizzard.

It's cold. The Overlook is closed for the winter. Jack is snowed in -- and beginning to struggle.

So he pulls up a seat at Lloyd's haunted bar -- and orders a Manhattan.

To create Merry Manhattan, our candle mixologists take velvety top notes of cognac and bourbon -- and put them in a shaker with a few dashes of cherry and orange.

We finish this olfactory cocktail with a whisper of woodsy fir -- and an axe charm on top.

It's like sitting next to a Christmas tree drinking a Manhattan.

Ghost bartender optional.

Christmas Candle Gift Ideas

Our Naughty and Nice candle gift boxes are a fun -- and slightly cheeky -- gift idea for anyone on your list who loves candles and tea!

Each gift box includes:

🕯Two 2 oz candles

🫖️ Sample of Chai Spice tea ️

🔥 Vial of gift matches

☕ Cute tea ball strainer

🔖 Custom bookmark

📚 Vinyl sticker

The theme of each gift box's components depends on whether the recipient has been naughty or nice.

Imagine the fun you could have at your Friendsmas Gift exchange 😉

Christmas Candle Gift Box

Want to try six of our favorite holiday scents?

Then you need our Merry and Bright Christmas candle gift box.

Have a different Christmas fragrance in every room! 

Also makes a festive gift for the person who has everything!