The temperature seemed to drop around 4pm and suddenly I was freezing for the first time in this exceptionally mild spell we are having, so I did no more than put the heating on, get out my Starbucks red cup mug, load up the coffee machine with a Suchard hot chocolate pod and light a Blissful Autumn scented candle from Yankee Candles my mum had bought me at the end of the summer. I curled up on the sofa with the pugs as dusk set in, and thoroughly enjoyed half an hour of complete silence in a scent filled room with hot chocolate in hand before I had to think about cooking supper for the family. I think they refer to this sort of thing as "Me Time". Autumnal Bliss indeed.
It never fails to amaze me how a scented candle can set a scene and create such a calming ambience, or is that just me? I burn them all year round in the house and in my treatment room but I sometimes think they are more for me than my clients (I try and stock up in the sales or add them to my Christmas List) and although I love a summer scented candle or those that smell of figs, or the seaside, there is something about a winter or Christmas scented candle that is as comforting as a glass of mulled wine and a warm mince pie.
With a range of festive scents from pine needles to cinnamon and spices, there is sure to be a candle to delight your senses in the run up to the festive season.
Rather than being made with paraffin wax and artificial fragrance, the Neom Christmas Wish Candle £42 from Selfridges is made from 100% vegetable wax and uses organic aromatherapy fragrance. They also burn cleanly and evenly (always a bonus as not all do) and will fill your home with the scent of warming spices and soothing fruit notes. This three wick wonder burns for 50 hours so is a real candle investment purchase. Buy here.
A candle with a heady aroma of pine needles and cedarwood combined with amber and balsam for a gorgeous purse friendly festive fragrance with 40 hours burn time, makes this the perfect stocking filler. £14 from John Lewis. Buy here.
There is something just that little bit luxurious about a Jo Malone candle and this elegant and aromatic pine and eucalyptus candle is perfect for the festive season. £38 at Selfridges. Buy here.
The Crabtree and Evelyn Noel candle is infused with a high concentration of perfume oil. A medley of fresh balsams, persimmon and citrus fused with spicy star anise, clove and nutmeg. This candle has 3 wicks and provides 35 hours of burn time. £32 here.
Make like the Three Kings and fill your home with this Frankincense and Myrrh luxury soy candle from The Secret Scent Society. Highly scented, clean burning and long lasting, expect this handmade 100% soy wax candle to burn for 50 hours. £29.50 here.
Marks and Spencer have a fab selection of festive fragranced candles with prices from £3.50 (a little tin, perfect stocking filler) and on a 3 for 2 offer. Buy here.
Are you a pine or spicy festive candle fan?