When December rolls in and the air smells like snow, cookies, and evergreen, there’s nothing that completes the mood quite like a Christmas candle. For many of us, lighting that first holiday candle is as much a tradition as decorating the tree or baking gingerbread.

But with so many options out there — from classic pine to playful peppermint or sweet sugar cookies — it can be tough to know which one deserves a spot in your home this year. That’s why we’ve compared four of the most popular names in seasonal fragrance: Affinati, Yankee Candle, Goose Creek, and Bath & Body Works.

Each brand brings something different to the table: long burn times, nostalgic holiday classics, playful gourmand scents, or bold festive blends. Let’s dive in and find the right Christmas candle for your style.

• Burn Time: 70–90 hours

• Wax: Soy

• Wick: Triple cotton

If you want a holiday candle that feels both fresh and cozy, Affinati’s Twisted Peppermint 3-Wick is a top contender. It layers crisp peppermint with smooth vanilla and a soft musk base, creating a scent that’s festive without being sharp.

One of the best things about Affinati is the way their candles balance fragrance strength. The throw is strong enough to fill a living room, but not overwhelming when you let it burn for hours. Because it’s soy-based, the burn is clean, the glass stays clear, and you’re not left with that heavy, sooty air that paraffin candles sometimes create.

👉 Best for: holiday gatherings, gifting, or anyone who wants peppermint that feels luxe rather than candy-shop sweet.

• Burn Time: Up to 150 hours (large jar)

• Wax: Paraffin blend

Few scents feel as instantly “Christmas” as Yankee Candle’s Balsam & Cedar. It combines fresh balsam, aromatic cedarwood, and a touch of red berry for balance. The result is the smell of walking through a Christmas tree farm on a frosty morning.

This candle has a reputation for filling large spaces and lasting forever — some people burn the same jar from Thanksgiving to New Year’s. That said, it’s a paraffin blend, which means a little more soot and a less clean burn than soy. Still, it’s hard to beat if what you want is that traditional pine-and-wood scent the brand is famous for.

👉 Best for: anyone who wants the timeless “fresh tree” fragrance that instantly sets the holiday mood.

• Burn Time: 35–50 hours

• Wicks: Dual

Goose Creek takes a more playful approach to holiday candles. Their Snowman Cookie candle smells just like sugar cookies dusted with vanilla, while Christmas Magic blends plum, pine, and a cool winter air note. These are fragrances that lean sweet and nostalgic, like baking in the kitchen or opening stockings as a kid.

The jars are colorful, the scents are fun, and the prices are usually lower than luxury brands — but the tradeoff is shorter burn times. These are candles you’ll probably burn for a night of holiday movies rather than one that lasts all season.

👉 Best for: families, kids, or anyone who wants lighthearted, dessert-style Christmas fragrances.

• Burn Time: 25–45 hours

• Wick: Triple

Bath & Body Works has made a name for itself with strong, room-filling candles and packaging that screams “festive.” Their Tis the Season candle blends red apples, cinnamon, and clove for a spicy-sweet scent that feels cheerful and cozy. Fresh Balsam is their take on pine, and it’s surprisingly true to life — sharp, green, and refreshing.

Like Goose Creek, these burn faster than some luxury soy candles, but the upside is that you can rotate through multiple scents all season long. And with the frequent sales, it’s easy to stock up.

👉 Best for: people who love switching scents often and want maximum fragrance throw from every 3-wick.

Brand Signature Holiday Scent Wax Type Burn Time Best For

• If you want a luxury soy candle with a balanced fragrance and elegant design, Affinati’s Twisted Peppermint is the clear winner.

• If your holidays don’t feel complete without a pine-scented candle, Yankee’s Balsam & Cedar delivers nostalgia in a jar.

• If you love playful, dessert-inspired scents, Goose Creek makes candles that feel fun and family-friendly.

• If you want bold scents with festive packaging, Bath & Body Works has plenty of crowd favorites.