As it becomes increasingly appropriate to scatter our homes with festive trinkets and cosy throws, many of us are on the hunt for the perfect festive candle.
However, among the sea of options, which are the most beloved scent combinations to infuse our homes with?
To save the hassle of searching for the perfect aroma, the experts at Northerner explored the festive candle landscape, for both luxury and high street brands, to reveal the most beloved scents and pairings to suit every preference.
The Must Have Candle Blends of The Season, Revealed
Key findings:
- The three most popular candle fragrances irrespective of category are vanilla, amber and apple.
- Sweet treats are the most favoured candle scent category, featured 72 times across the top 100 seasonal candles.
- To view the complete dataset, including a breakdown of the profiles of the top 100 scents, please click here.
| Catagory | Frequency of scents in top 100 candles |
| Sweet treats | 72 |
| Spices | 57 |
| Woods | 55 |
| Fruits | 27 |
| Floral | 24 |
| Herbs | 19 |
| Savoury scents | 23 |
| Resins | 23 |
| Citrus | 23 |
| Berries | 13 |
| Nuts | 6 |
Sweet Treats
The most popular scented candle category of the season is sweet treats, with an impressive 72 fragrances featured across the top 100 candles. Vanilla, appearing 19 times, is a stand out for its versatility. During winter, vanilla is often blended with warm, woody, and spiced notes to create soft yet festive aromas.
Other beloved sweet notes include brown sugar, honey, and caramel, each adding their own delectable touch. These enticing scents are guaranteed to fill your space with a mouthwatering fragrance, perfect for the indulgent months.
Seasonal picks: Vanilla bean espresso (Yankee candle), White Honey (Woodwick), Hibernate (Neom)
Spices
Next up is the category of spices, appearing 57 times across the top 100 most favoured seasonal candles. Spiced fragrances truly flourish during the cooler months, evoking the comforting nostalgia of pumpkin spice and hot mulled tea.
Cinnamon reigns as the most frequently mentioned spice, featured in 14 of the top 100 candles. Often combined with other warm spices and zesty citrus notes, this delightful blend creates a rich, cozy atmosphere that warms the soul and envelops your home in seasonal cheer.
Top picks: Pumpkin Cinnamon Swirl (Yankee Candle), Winter (White Company), Cannelle (Diptyque)
Woods
The next most prominent category is woods, appearing 49 times across the most beloved candle brands. Sandalwood takes centre stage, featured in ten of the seasonal candles, followed closely by cedar and pine.
These woodsy notes evoke wintery forests and landscapes, and are often paired with peppery, resin based components, making them perfect for creating a warm, atmospheric ambiance.
Top picks: Sweater Weather (Bath & Body Works), Pine and Eucalyptus (White Company), Warm Woods (Woodwick)
Fruits
Fruity scents make a bold statement in the seasonal candle lineup appearing 27 times across the best loved brands, with apple leading the way, featured in nine different blends. The aroma of apple brings a crisp and inviting sweetness, which is often blended with seasonal spices and decadent resins during the chillier months.
Top picks: Mild Sangria (Yankee Candle), Fireside (Wood Wick), Pumpkin Apple (Bath & Body Works)
Florals
Less common in the cooler months, yet loved all the same are floral scents, featuring in 25 of the seasonal candles. Aromatherapy favourite for promoting relaxation, lavender is the most commonly featured bloom- appearing six times. Lavender is often blended with minty and woody scents, to offer a soothing yet refreshing balance for cosy winter evenings.
Top picks: Eucalyptus Snowfall (Bath & Body Works), Real Luxury (Neom), Lavender and Cedar (Woodwick)