Certain smells remind us of specific memories, people, times in our lives, and seasons. In particular, some are associated with Christmas scents, and you can’t help reminisce about holidays past when you get a whiff of them. Usher in the spirit of joy and cozy weather by adding these smells to your home, preferably using Christmas candles for windows. 

Cinnamon

It’s not Christmas without it! This spice rack favorite is a star in big feasts, and so the more at the biggest feast of the year. It was highly valued, even as much as silver in the first century! Used to preserve food and add an inviting scent to several dishes, like cookies, eggnog, and pies, it’s hard to imagine this special time of the year without this scent.  

Snow

The weather will always play one of the biggest roles. The temperature dropping, and icy flakes falling mark the beginning of the Yuletide season. White and wet, snow permeates the air with a crisp and clean smell that has become one of the signature Christmas scents. Be reminded of snow angels, and snowball fights that come with this annual period of cheer. 

Pine (Christmas trees)

What’s one addition to any home in this season that’s most well-loved? Christmas trees! The lush green stands as a wonderful reminder of life and provision during the coldest time of the year when the rest of nature is barren for the time being. Adorned with various trinkets, it’s a magical sight to both young and old. Remember to add essential pine oil the next time you’re making candles for that Christmas tree effect. 

Hot chocolate

No drink on Earth is more perfect than hot chocolate for the holidays. It’s sweet, creamy, warm, and, of course, has that chocolate flavor. Little marshmallows only increase its comfort factor beyond the scales. There’s no reason not to love it, and you can’t outgrow it. Chocolate is indulgent comfort. 

Gingerbread

Ever wondered why we make reserve the gingerbread for Christmas when we can have it any time of the year if we wanted to? For centuries, gingerbread was only used for religious ceremonies and could only be made by specially trained people. In the 17th century, they finally allowed the public production and consumption of it exclusively for Christmastime. That’s why to this day, gingerbread is considered a Christmas treat only. 

Roasted chestnuts

Unlike many of those on this list, roasted chestnuts don’t have an interesting and complex history to how it began. The reason it is done during winter is it’s when the chestnuts begin sprouting in trees, like snow. The US doesn’t have chestnut trees anymore, which became extinct due to a virus in the 1900s, but we still enjoy imported ones from North Europe where roasted chestnuts are seasonal street food. 

Oranges and cloves

When the air indoors gets stale from keeping the windows and doors shut to keep out the cold, it’s time to whip out the pomander balls. They’re oranges pierced with cloves that release their fresh scent as they dry, lasting for months on end. It’s a natural and affordable way to spruce up your home. It also doubles as an endearing Christmas activity you can do with the family. 

 

How to Add Christmas Scents

There are several ways to incorporate these holiday smells into your home. You can use an essential oil diffuser or Christmas potpourri. But our personal favorites are Christmas-scented candles. That soft glow from a Christmas candle just makes a place a touch cozier. Enjoy the aromatic appeal as you make your Christmas list. 

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Bring the holiday cheer to your family and friends! There’s no better way to do that than with lovely Christmas candles. It’s a thoughtful gift that’s easy to personalize. You can shop around for the supplies needed or purchase a kit and save time. Choose to keep it simple or let out your creative talents! Follow these ideas or take cues to come up with a standout design.

 

1. Coat Your Candle Holder in Glitter

Glam up the old tradition of Christmas candles for windows. Nothing gives a more celebratory vibe than an overload of sparkles. Use an adhesive made for arts, such as a decoupage medium or a glue spray, to coat the jars where you want the glitter. Then pour on the glitter and let it dry overnight. You can add another layer of decoupage medium or spray lacquer to seal in the glitter and protect it.

However, the aesthetic isn’t for everyone. Alternatives for a toned-down look still create a joyous mood, like a simple pop of Christmas color. If you don’t want the loudness and mess of glitter, opt for matte tins in festive shades of wine, gold, or teal, and they’d still look good on your windowsill.

 

2. Choose Christmas-Scented Fragrance Oils 

Sights, sounds, and smells have a unique feature of being able to resurface specific memories that involved them. Just like pumpkin spice brings back memories of fall, the holiday season has its own scents, too. These are a few that remain popular Christmas scents, and characteristic of this time of the year: 

• Cinnamon 
• Hot Chocolate 
• Pine 

• Spiced Orange 
• Sugar Cookie 
• Frankincense 

Make Christmas-scented candles more personal for a special loved one, and create one with a fragrance that reminds them of a happy holiday experience they had, even if it’s not traditional. What makes a gift truly thoughtful is when it holds meaning to the recipient. If you’re not sure what they’d prefer, go the safe route and use a popular scent. 

 

3. Create a Layered Candle 

Ready for a creative challenge? If you’re not sold on the idea of giving candles as a gift, you can step it up on the design to make your candle a true standout. Produce multi-colored Christmas candles, a different hue for every layer. 

Get a jar or a candle holder of clear glass and pile on layers of different colors. Wait for each layer to solidify before adding the next so they don’t mix. If you’re daring enough, have a different scent for each layer that matches the color, such as pine for green and cabernet for red. Test the effect when two scents mix in the air before doing this. 

 

4. Ice Candles, Anyone? 

The crystal pattern matches the winter season perfectly. The great thing about it is it’s a natural phenomenon that happens to a specific type of palm wax, so there’s no extra effort necessary. When the wax sets, a crystal-like design appears on the surface. It’s even more prominent and fascinating when in color! 

Simply follow the same steps of making a candle. Be sure to take note of the melting point, fragrance point, and pouring point indicated. Add a scent and dye, if you like, and then watch the transformation happen. Palm wax is self-supporting, so it doesn’t need a holder so that it can be displayed in all its glory. 

 

5. Floating Tealights for Charm and Wonder 

They also give a cathartic effect similar to a spa, giving your guests a feeling of escape from the daily grind. It’ll be a small but effective way to help them detach and be present for Christmas. Any wax can be used to create floaters, but if you’re planning to place them in a pool or bowl, best to use safe all-natural waxes to avoid releasing toxins. 

Pour the wax into molds specifically for floating Christmas candles because it’s necessary as they’re short and wide, which keeps them above water. Be sure to fill them to the top, as they’re likely to shrink once they cool. Add extra wax in the recessed area to create an even surface. Once they’ve fully set, they’ll slip right out of the mold. If they’re difficult to remove, try freezing them for a few minutes, and the candles will ease out. 

 

Candles for a Cozy Christmas 

Fight off the winter blues as you create that lively and cozy atmosphere only this special time of the year can bring. The holiday season is a long one, giving you lots of time to try different candle art and décor ideas! Spice up your Christmas decorations by changing up your candles every week. Then go ahead and paint the whole town in your art by spreading cheer through your delightful DIY Christmas candles. 

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Hark the heralds! The holiday season has begun. Across the world, it's a special time of the year for different reasons. Even in the shared joy and beliefs, we all celebrate it a little differently. Take a short holiday trip around the world to get a snapshot of what it's like in other parts of the globe and what their holiday candles look like. 

 

Advent  

The Advent season welcomes the official start of the holiday season among several Christian denominations. It has no fixed date and follows the liturgical calendar. It's represented by the Advent wreath, which consists of a wreath of green leaves and four candles. Three of the candles are purple, the color symbolizing prayer, sacrifice, and atonement for sins in the waiting for Christmas.  

During this time, one of the candles is lit every Sunday. The first candle is lit for hope, in honor of the prophets. The second candle stands for faith, shown in Mary and Joseph's journey. The third candle is pink and reminds Christians of the joy that is to come. The fourth and final candle is the "Angel's Candle," the purple candle of peace, and marks the last week of waiting for Jesus' birth. 

 

Hanukkah 

The celebration of Hanukkah lies in rich and bloody Jewish history. Several civilizations conquered the people. Hanukkah celebrates the uprising against one of these conquerors, successfully overthrowing them, which led to the rededication of the Second Temple. Hanukkah is Hebrew for "dedication," but it's also known as Festival of Lights. It's celebrated between November to December. 

It's an eight-day festival that commemorates how the lit menorah's candles continued to burn for eight nights straight, despite having only enough oil for one. This event is known as the "Miracle of Lights," symbolized by a candelabrum of eight candles in a row, one added and lit per day, set alight by a ninth candle that's separated from the rest. 

 

 

 

Navidad (Christmas) 

In Sante Fe, New Mexico lives an old religious custom that dates back to the 1800s, originating from across the Pacific Ocean. Instead of the holiday candles on windowsills, paper lanterns line the locals' streets and homes, lighting the way for the Holy Family. It's a Roman Catholic tradition that began in the Philippines. 

Inspired by Chinese paper lanterns, the Filipinos placed votive candles and sand in paper bags, which have become the farolitos or luminarias known today. Some now choose to use flameless candles to make their "little lanterns" safer, but you can still find purists making them just how their ancestors did. 

Kwanzaa 

Every year, African Americans celebrate Kwanzaa from the 26th of December until the 1st of January. The festival was introduced to the US in 1966 by Dr. Maulana Karenga to celebrate the "first fruits," kwanza being taken from a Swahili phrase with the same meaning. It's not one ritual from Africa brought to the US but a combination of parts adapted from several. 

Like Hannukah, a candle of the seven on the candleholder, called Kinara, is lit on each night of Kwanzaa, followed by a discussion of one of the Nguzo Saba or Seven Principles. These are qualities derived by Dr. Karenga from African culture. The first candle to be lit is a black one representing unity, or Umoja. All Seven Principles are the following:  

1. Umoja, or Unity 
2. Kujichagulia, or Self-Determination 
3. Ujima, or Collective Work and Responsibility 
4. Ujamaa, or Cooperative Economics 
5. Nia, or Purpose 
6. Kuumba, or Creativity 
7. Imani, or Faith 

 

Holiday Candles Across the Globe 

On the windowsill, down by the road, celebrating bountiful harvests, or awaiting a beloved savior... The season and holiday candles can be different to many people, but they're just as special. Sharing and upholding the very essence of our traditions with one another is what's important. Happy holidays to everyone! May we continue to see the beauty and meaning in all our holiday candles. 

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