Posted in collaboration with Rent.com
As the holiday season approaches, there's a certain magic in the air—twinkling lights, festive gatherings, and the warm embrace of cherished traditions. If you're wondering how to make your home smell like the holidays, one of the best ways to capture that seasonal magic is by lighting fragrant candles that bring the scents of the season to life.
Whether you’re cozying up in your home in Hanford, CA, your apartment in Fort Collins, CO, or your rental house in Pocatello, ID, we’ve curated a list of must-have holiday candles that will fill your home with warmth and joy. Join us as we explore the best scents and styles to elevate your holiday decor.
Vanilla Cookies
A vanilla cookie candle brings the irresistible scent of freshly baked treats right into your home, making it a wonderful choice for the holiday season. Its sweet, warm fragrance of vanilla and buttered sugar instantly creates an atmosphere of coziness.
“We know that holiday memories start at home and the scents of the season are the backdrop for unforgettable moments,” Tod Barnett, founder of Portland, OR candle company Plant Based Candles warmly shares. “Our holiday candles like Cookie Season fill the air with warm spices like ginger, cinnamon, and a sweet touch of vanilla, painting images of holiday magic.”
Holiday candles with an “outdoor” essence draw out the enchanting scents of winter woods and festive gatherings, perfect for anyone wondering how to make your house smell like the holidays. Imagine the crisp aroma of pine trees blanketed in snow, or the warm, earthy notes of cedar and fir that bring the essence of a cozy cabin to your home. These candles capture the spirit of the season, with hints of frosty air and the freshness of nature, creating a serene ambiance perfect for holiday celebrations.
The warm, earthy scent of sandalwood paired with the rich, resinous aroma of myrrh creates a smell that feels both grounding and comforting to add to your holiday decor.
“Inspired by the warmth of a cozy wooden cabin nestled in a snow-covered pine forest, our Pine & Amber candle blends spicy notes of pine with the rich warmth of amber and myrrh, grounded by earthy sandalwood and vetiver,” shares Nicholas at Brandt Kaarsen, a handmade soy wax and rapeseed wax candle company. “Perfect for those rainy holiday evenings when a cozy sweater is a must.”
Sandalwood’s creamy notes blend beautifully with the slightly sweet, spicy essence of myrrh, making it a perfect choice for those quiet moments during the bustling holiday season.
John Kendzierski at Literie Candles, made with coconut and soy wax, recommends his favorite scents to get into the Christmas spirit. “With the light of a wick on our holiday candles, notes of evergreen, cloves, or burnt sugar fill a room and inspire everyone during the festive season.”
While you’re organizing for the holidays, the refreshing scent of evergreen combined with the warm, spicy notes of cloves brings a delightful blend that perfectly captures the spirit of Christmas.
“With scent as the most closely linked sense to memory, we create candles that allow you to reminisce on holidays past no matter where you are,” Kendzierski concludes.
The scent of fir paired with the aromatic notes of balsam creates a truly enchanting holiday fragrance that makes you feel like you’re meandering through the heart of a winter forest and encourages a stunning Christmas aesthetic.
“One of our holiday favorites is Fir Balsam which makes you feel like you're taking a walk in the woods, right from the comfort of your living room,” suggests Andrea Jacques at Essentials Northwest, offering handcrafted candles, bath, and body products made with natural, quality ingredients. “We also love Christmas by the Fire which sparks scents of a roaring fire without adding in all the extra work.”
With holiday candles like these, you’ll discover how to make your house smell like the holidays, effortlessly transforming your space into a serene winter retreat that's perfect for celebrating the season's magic.
“Our Chemistree candle perfectly captures the magic of the season, turning your home into a festive laboratory of aromas that celebrate winter's beauty and cheer,” states Kevin at the premium soy wax, paraffin-free, candle business, Two Nerds Candle Company.
“Chemistree synergizes the crisp top notes of cypress and lemon, similar to the scent of fresh winter air, with the robust heart of cedar and evergreen—bringing to mind the cozy feeling of a snowy forest,” Kevin says excitedly. “As it burns, the base notes of fir and amber create a rich olfactory reaction, delivering a cozy warmth akin to gathering around a crackling fire.”
Cedar and evergreen come together to create a scent that feels both refreshing and comforting. This combination is perfect for adding a natural, inviting vibe to your home when hosting guests, bringing a bit of the outdoors inside during the cozy winter months.
The fresh scent of mint mixed with the bright aroma of eucalyptus brings a cheerful, holiday spirit to any space. Mint adds a cool, sweet touch that reminds us of peppermint treats, while eucalyptus brings a soothing, refreshing quality that feels like a breath of crisp winter air.
“Our New England Christmas candle brings to life the picturesque charm of a small New England town during the holidays,” says Alecia Milot at Sakonnet Candle Co., located in Tiverton, RI.
“This festive candle captures the essence of New England with notes of crushed mint, eucalyptus, and frasier fir, alongside holly berry, New England apple, and sugared pine for a truly nostalgic, unique, and refreshing scent,” Milot shares. “With a touch of clove, this soy candle provides a holiday aroma that will enhance any home.”
Jamie at Cellar Door Candles, a nontoxic candle company based in Washington, shares in the delight of creating holiday candles. “Holiday fragrances are a fragrance designer’s gift from the heart. By drawing on moments of joy and light, we can project nostalgic memories and create new ones through the power of scent.”
A powerful example of the scents described by the candlemaker includes cinnamon, which embodies the excitement of autumn—carving pumpkins, baking cookies, and the anticipation of Thanksgiving. Meanwhile, fir tree scents evoke cherished memories of winter holidays, childhood moments, and family gatherings that fill the heart with warmth.
“These fragrances fill both heart and home with happiness, turning the season into a celebration of warmth and togetherness,” Jamie finishes.
Spicy-scented candles, featuring notes of clove, nutmeg, and cinnamon, bring warmth to your holidays. The coziness of clove and the nostalgia of nutmeg create a blend that wraps your home in a festive embrace, perfect for gatherings with loved ones.
“Using spices such as cinnamon, cloves, and nutmeg recreate nostalgic holiday aromas that bring warm and cozy feelings no matter where you are,” recommends Sofia Green at Meaningful Mantras, a nontoxic fragrance business based in California.
If you're wondering how to make your house smell like the holidays, cloves and nutmeg are perfect additions to holiday candles. Their warm, spicy scents inspire feelings of coziness and cheer; cloves add a rich depth, while nutmeg offers a sweet, comforting warmth. Together, they create a seasonal candle that’s ideal for gatherings.
Green shares that their beloved holiday scents are thoughtfully handcrafted in small batches using real essential oils, so you can enjoy a pure, refreshing atmosphere while spending time with loved ones.
Spicy cinnamon is a classic holiday scent that instantly fills the air with energy. Its warm, sweet-and-spicy aroma recalls the comfort of holiday baking and adds a festive touch to spaces.
“As the season of joy approaches, our senses become heightened with the cozy aromas that fill our homes,” says Zina, owner of Zenful Breeze Candle Co. in Los Angeles, CA.
Zina continues by saying that the spicy warmth of cinnamon and the sweet notes of peppermint transport us to cherished memories that make every moment feel special.
Clove and orange make a perfect pairing for holiday candles, blending warm, spiced notes with bright, citrusy sweetness.
If you want an eco-friendly holiday, Jess Waters at Terralite, a line of botanical aromatherapy goods made from natural and organic ingredients, suggests, “Bring the spirit of the holidays into your home with the comforting glow of festive candles as they fill the air with scents of warm cinnamon, spiced clove, sweet oranges, and fresh evergreens.”
The spicy depth of clove brings a sense of cozy tradition, while the citrusy zing of orange adds a burst of festive energy. Together, they create an inviting smell that feels both grounding and uplifting, perfect for filling your home with holiday spirit.
“Whether it's the scent of high mountain snowscapes, freshly cut pine trees, or the sweet aroma of holiday baking, these candles perfectly capture the essence of the season,” Waters finishes.
“Experience the cozy embrace of our Winter Thyme candle, a carefully crafted blend that weaves together the warmth of cinnamon and clove with the fresh zest of orange and the herbaceous depth of thyme,” shares Laure Ducamp at Osmology, an aromatherapy company.
Ducamp continues to say that this scent embodies the spirit of winter gatherings, infusing any space with an inviting fragrance that’s both festive and soothing—ideal for the quieter, more reflective moments of the season.
The combination of amber and spice brings sophisticated warmth to any space, filling it with a scent that’s both comforting and bold. It’s a holiday scent that balances tradition with a touch of modern elegance, making every moment feel a little more special.
“Our candles are inspired by places, people, and eras throughout time—‘New York in the Roaring 1920s’ offers a warm, spicy aroma with a sweet amber finish while ‘London in the 1970s’ candle packs a punch of gilded spruce, leather and rhubarb,” Amira Gonzalez, co-owner, founder, and CEO at ERA Candle Company in NYC, remarks. “Our ‘scent destinations’ will transport you to another time, whether you’re in a NY speakeasy sipping on a Manhattan in the 1920s during the holidays, or in the heart of the wild 70s punk scene in London.”
Fragrances like vanilla, caramel, and sugar cookies, bring an irresistible and sweet charm to your holiday celebrations. These inviting aromas create a sense of comfort and indulgence, similar to baking festive treats.
“This holiday season, the fragrance trend is ‘gourmand’ fragrances—sweet dessert-like scents that signal feelings of joy and comfort—the kind of immediate pleasure that biting into a delicious cookie or tasting a spoonful of vanilla frosting can bring,” says Jordan Graysmith, sales manager at Custom Candles LA, a fully customizable candle company based in Los Angeles, CA.
If you’re looking for ideas on how to make your house smell like the holidays, milk and honey are perfect for creating holiday candles that are soft, sweet, and wonderfully comforting. This combination creates a delicate, almost nostalgic fragrance that feels like a warm embrace—gentle yet indulgent.
“There is nothing that screams holiday like a warm, fuzzy, cinnamon, milk, and honey-scented candle,” declares Angel Vu, founder of California-based candle company Blow Me Candle Co.“Something about this aroma combination just feels like a comforting hug next to a cozy fireplace.”
Jordan Graysmith at Custom Candles LA recommends their holiday candles this season. “This year, we created the Fancy Holiday Cookie fragrance—sweet, subtle spices of ginger, cinnamon, and nutmeg mingled together with a hint of vanilla and butter. It’s warm and welcoming, and the sophisticated answer to Pumpkin Spice that you’ve been craving.”
Vanilla and ginger make a dynamic duo for answering the question of how to make your house smell like the holidays, combining the smooth, sweet warmth of vanilla with the spicy, zesty kick of ginger. The soothing notes balance perfectly with the brightness, making it an ideal fragrance during the holidays.
“Holiday candles bring the warmth of the season indoors with cozy scents like spiced cinnamon, creamy pumpkin, and a hint of refreshing mint,” suggests Tram Nguyen, founder of Living Good Candle Co. based in Houston, TX.
A creamy pumpkin candle is the perfect addition to any holiday gathering, setting the tone with comforting scents of fall and winter. The soft fragrance of pumpkin fills the room without being overpowering, adding a touch of seasonal charm to your celebrations.
Andrea Solomon at Flatbush Granola Company, a homemade granola and candle business located in Brooklyn, NY, states, “Holiday candles, with their crisp notes of eucalyptus and pine, spicy notes of cinnamon and ginger, smoky notes of tobacco, or warm notes of caramel and vanilla bring festive gatherings with friends and family to life.”
Diving into how to make your house smell like the holidays, a caramel and vanilla candle might be just what you’re looking for—the ultimate indulgence for the festive season. This rich blend of sweet, creamy caramel and cozy vanilla creates a warm, inviting scent, perfect for making your home feel like a winter wonderland.
Solomon concludes by saying, “These scents fill the air with memories of wintry mornings, snow-capped pine trees, fireside chats, sweet treats, and cherished holiday traditions, taking delicious flavors and turning any space into a cozy haven.”
Whether you're sipping hot cocoa by the fire or hosting a festive dinner, this candle offers a deliciously comforting ambiance that enhances the magic of the holidays.
Zesty holiday candles, like orange, lemon, and pomegranate, infuse your holiday season with a refreshing and vibrant energy and are the perfect addition when asking questions about how to make your house smell like the holidays. The lively notes of citrus not only create a sense of joy but also cleanse the air, making your home feel fresh and inviting.
The crisp, fruity fragrance of tart fruit holiday candles adds lively contrast to the traditional spiced scents of winter, creating an uplifting atmosphere. There’s a refreshing twist that this scent carries with it throughout homes.
At Velle Candle Co., a handmade candle company in Seattle, WA, founder Shenalyn Castoldi shares her favorite holiday smells to choose from. “Some amazing festive scents we have are Wassail (mulled wine and spices), Spruce + Fir (crisp, fragrant pines), Pomander (citrus, clove, and cinnamon), and Pomegranate (tart fruit with florals, musk, and woods).”
Castoldi shares that each of their candles is carefully hand-poured in small batches to guarantee exceptional quality in every piece. Made with a premium blend of sustainable waxes and infused with rich, seasonal fragrances, their products capture the very essence of the holidays.
An orange and cranberry candle offers a beautifully balanced scent that’s both uplifting and warm, with the bright citrusy spark of orange mingling perfectly with the tart, berry-rich essence of cranberry.
Brooke Hicks, founder of Wilmington, NC-based Coastal Candle Co., says that their orange peel, cranberry, and cinnamon ‘Yuletide’ candle encourages memories of cozy gatherings and moments with loved ones. These scents do more than just fill the room; they capture the essence of the holidays and create a space where the true spirit of the season comes alive.
“Holiday candles stir up nostalgia and fill a space with warmth and cheer,” states Kelly at Grow Fragrance, a nontoxic fragrance company in Durham, NC.
“In our Holiday Hearth candle, cozy aromas of spiced mandarin, cranberry, and smoked birchwood evoke evenings by the fire,” Kelly says, “While in our Snowscape candle, winter mint mingles with vanilla and pine for a cool refreshing scent of freshly fallen snow.”
These scents bring out the joy of festive gatherings, the crispness of winter air, and the warmth of a home lit up for the season.
How to make your house smell like the holidays: Candles to ring in the cheer
While the holiday season unfolds, learning how to make your house smell like the holidays can be as simple as lighting the right candles. These must-have scents illuminate your space with warmth and create an inviting atmosphere that captures the cheer of the season. So go ahead—light a few, savor the festive scents, and let the flickering flames bring a touch of magic to your celebrations.