The 16 Best Luxury Candles That Smell Like a Cozy Winter Day

Do you smell that? That inescapable deluge of pine, spice, and good cheer can mean only one thing: Wintertime is upon us. Or, as I like to call it, Candle Season™. For candle fans, there is no better time than right now, when candles burn constantly, a soft glow settles over the world, and cozy, warm scents fill the air. Now that the sun sets in the afternoon, my daily candle burning starts basically at lunchtime.

You don’t have to be a candle obsessive like me to appreciate a good luxury candle. Not only do they make the perfect gift for anyone, at any time, they’re also the best thing to festive-ize your abode throughout the dreary colder months. While the best winter candles lean into the scents of the season like fresh pine, smokey woods, and warm spices, the true MVPs are candles that you can burn year round without seeming like someone who leaves their Christmas lights up in July. By all means, burn a candle that smells like a Christmas tree, but if you want to get more use out of it, look for one mixed with other woods like cedar or sandalwood to temper it. Or, instead of overdosing on cinnamon, burn one that has cardamom or black pepper for that spicy, but less season-specific, note. You don’t have to limit Candle Season™ to just a few months—you have the power to extend it to twelve.

So I say go forth and candle! You couldn’t ask for a better time of year to stock up and light up. After hours and hours of sniffing dozens upon dozens of candles, I’m confident in telling you that these are the best out there.

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