My Top Six Candles For Christmas 2017
Christmas and candles seem to go hand in hand which is why many companies release a limited edition during November and December. Not all of these special releases hit the mark though and shoppers often fall back on their tried and trusted favourites. The gentle flicker of a flame accompanied by a delicious aroma is the perfect pairing, but a candle also makes a great gift. To help you navigate the minefield I’ve chosen six candles that have impressed me during 2017 and, hold on to your hats, it includes three Christmas stunners. So, grab the matches and a glass of port as I introduce you to my top six candles for 2017.
In sixth place I’m going to start with one of the Christmas candles, Gingerbread by Parks London. The company began in 1989 and was founded by Carol Symons. Parks London work with numerous perfumers to create their fragrances and Gingerbread was the brainchild of Pia Long. She wanted to evoke the scent of gingerbread baking in the oven, and that is exactly what she has done. A beautifully gourmand spicy gingerbread, it also comes with a large dose of vanilla warmth and a spread of scent that is impressive. Gingerbread is available from the Parks London website priced at £30 for 235g.
Fifth place goes to Yankee Candle, who also appeared on last year’s list. This year they created their Golden Range, which came in very stylish black casings. The company is famous for producing every scent possible but with this series they really have excelled themselves, and my particular favourite was Golden Amber. It opens with a beautifully realised amber but has a subtly spiced rose right in the middle, and as it burns you get a wonderfully gentle note of butterscotch that fills the room. Golden Amber is available from the Yankee Candle website and all major retailers priced at £14.99 for 198g.
We return to Christmas for the fourth place in our lineup and Fragonard’s Allumez-Moi. One of the major tourist perfumers in Grasse, the seasonal candle from Fragonard is a popular addition to their catalogue and this year’s is fantastic. They’ve taken the idea of the Christmas tree and weaved it with orange blossom and citrus to provide a sweetened pine. Allumez-Moi also features a golden robin on the pale blue glass designed by Nathalie Lété and is guaranteed to brighten any room. Allumez-Moi is available from the Fragonard website and also Marks & Spencer priced at £26 for 200g.
For the third place we’re heading over to Paris and into the archives of Le Jardin Retrouvé. The company relaunched their fragrances worldwide in 2016 but the exclusive La Collection Historique is only available in their Paris boutique. The collection contains three limited edition candles, Tubéreuse, Chevrefeuille and Cuir de Russie, and it is the latter that I have fallen for. Cuir de Russie is based on the original fragrance of resinous leather, violet and ylang but the candle has a slightly more honeyed note. Cuir de Russie is available by emailing info@lejardinretrouve.com and is priced at €35 for 250g.
Second place goes to Crabtree & Evelyn’s Curiosity Corner. Originally founded in 1972 by Cyrus Harvey, Crabtree & Evelyn went on to become an instantly recognisable worldwide brand. Curiosity Corner is part of their new Modern British Home Collection and perfectly embodies the scent of hushed libraries. With notes of leather-bound books, waxed tables and even the “scent of history”, Curiosity Corner is perfect for any space that you truly want to call your own. Curiosity Corner is available from the Crabtree & Evelyn website and also from their boutiques priced at £42 for 200g.
The top spot this year goes to Marina Barcenilla and her Christmas candle, Waiting For Santa. She has had a pretty incredible year with Fifi nominations and a string of awards since relaunching her company, and she also topped my candle list last year with the spectacular Patchouli Flower. She creates for herself and that is why the passion shines through. Waiting For Santa is a powerhouse of a candle with bursts of citrus, toffee, spices, a warming vanilla and a throw of scent that is unequalled. Waiting For Santa is available from the Marina Barcenilla Parfums website and is priced at £45 for 210g.
Whichever candle you go for this year please remember to observe the instructions and NEVER leave a burning candle unattended! To read my candle lists for 2015 and 2016 you can click on the images below.
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