I love winter scented candles. Love love love them.  Winter scented candles are my all time favorite type. There’s just something about the rich and cozy aromas of pine, clove bud and balsam when I’m cooped up inside on a frigid blustery day. With a single swipe of a match, the candle is lit and I’m instantly feeling all warm and cozy. If there’s one thing I know for sure it’s that I’ll never be candle-less during the wintertime.

I appreciate affordable mainstream winter scented candles and I especially love the higher end ones. I have my every day candles and those that I reserve for special occasions. The expensive candles I usually spend a full six months gawking at before I work up the courage to light them.

I love shopping for candles at too many places to name. Department stores tend to carry the popular brands such as Jo Malone London and Nest. Most small boutique stores which stock candles tend to carry lesser known, often indie brands. Earlier this year I had the amazing opportunity to visit the brick and mortar store of Candledelerium  (arguably the best online luxury  candle shop) which I mentioned in my Following My nose to LA article.

We certainly don’t NEED candles anymore since the advent of electric lighting and flashlights. So why are so many homes filled with them and why do I love these fragrant wax bonfires so much? Why am I so willing to spend 50 dollars and up on a wax and glass product with such a short term benefit?

I think it comes down to illusion. We women (as well as some men) love to wrap ourselves in fantasy and fairytales, imagining our lives as we would like them to be. We purchase dresses for holiday parties we have yet to be invited to and spend hours surveying travel websites for dream vacations that we may or may not take one day.

We are also very in tune with our emotions and senses. We know that certain smells have the ability to transport us to other times and places, and to bring back cherished and soothing memories.

Here are some of the biggest reasons I love candles, especially as the weather turns chilly:

They create ambiance.

A flickering flame instantly adds a sensory welcome to any living space in your home. There’s just something so relaxing about a flickering flame. Candles never fail to create a bom chicka wow wow atmosphere in the bedroom ? and are so much better than unsexy artificial lighting. We all look our best in candlelight.

They’re comforting.

Candles are like loyal friends who sit quietly in the corner of a room and communicate silently with their softly glowing presence. Candles are the grown up’s replacement for the blanket you slept with every night as a child and used to soothe you to sleep.

They evoke memories.

It’s a known fact that scents are linked to our mind and therefore our memories. Scents can often trigger happy memories locked deep within the recesses of our minds. Even candles that are new to you can do this if the memory is associated with the scent of the candle.

They can mimic the delicious scent of holiday cooking.

Who doesn’t love the sent of cinnamon or pumpkin spice? I don’t know about you but I’m usually so crazed with keeping my life in order that I don’t have the time or energy for baking pies or homemade cookies. Candles are brilliant pinch hitters for when you don’t have time to bake but have someone coming over any minute and want your home smelling deliciously fragrant.

Candles are always on sale.

Bath & Body Works I’m looking at you! It’s impossible not to get sucked in by their constant promotions and buy at least 6. Their prices are just TOO good to pass on. I went onto their website earlier today and saw that their Fresh Balsam 3-wick candle is going for $10.99. Incredible! Oh and their Incense and Juniper candles are currently a mere $12.25 a piece (50% off).

They make great gifts.

While it’s always helpful to know which type of scents your gift recipient is into, almost everyone loves receiving candles as gifts. If it’s not a scent that they personally love they can always regift it. People always seem to perceive candles as being thoughtful, personal gifts and are touched that you’ve taken the time to sniff out one that is uniquely “them”. Tip: when you’re buying a candle as a gift for someone else, make sure that it has beautiful packaging in addition to the lovely scent and at least a 60 hour burn time.

My love affair with candles, particularly the winter scented variety, has been going on for some time and shows no signs of slowing down. I have a pretty substantial collection already but there’s always room for more. I’m already dreaming of some amazing candles by Harlem Candle Company that I’ve heard are perfect for winter.

What about you? How many cool weather candles do you have in your home? Any favorites to recommend?

Until the next time,