The Most Festive Scents To Put You In A Christmassy Mood

A seasonal favourite, devotees (myself included) eagerly await Diptyque’s trio of festively scented candles every year. Of the three, my pick always tends to be Sapin, that when lit conjures up an icy northern pine forest, managing to be simultaneously comforting and elegant. It gives good throw, and delicately scents its surrounds even when unlit. If you enjoy a Diptyque Christmas candle every year, I’d highly recommend their matching and completely charming carousel for an extra special touch.

Diptyque Sapin Candle

Jo Malone Midnight Musk & Amber Cologne

The scent equivalent of an expensive velvet party dress, this limited edition fragrance from Jo Malone is warm, addictive, and oh-so-chic. It’s deep and redolent thanks to its notes of amber and musk, so I’d say best suited to evening if you’re celebrating Christmas in a warmer clime – although I’m squirreling my bottle away to wear all winter too. It’d smell equally delicious on a man or a woman, and I’m obsessed with the prettily bevelled bottle.

Spicy clove and fir balsam, inflected with sweet plums and oranges, paint a cosy scentscape in this beautiful offering from Australian candlemakers Glasshouse. It finds the sweet spot between being fresh yet still warm and festive, which makes for the ideal scent to create a welcoming Christmas environment that isn’t too overbearing for the antipodean midsummer.

Glasshouse White Christmas Candle

Chanel No. 5 Eau de Parfum

Chanel’s No. 5 can be enjoyed year round of course, but there is something about its regal formality that seems perfectly suited to this time of year and its flurry of festive occasions (although I do love the L’Eau flanker for day-to-day wear). This Christmas, it comes housed in a celestially inspired box, an homage to the artfully choreographed ad campaign for No. 5 featuring Marion Cotillard, that is sure to delight.

Gourmand scents aren’t to everyone’s tastes, but if you do enjoy a delicious candle (and I do!), you’ll love this gingerbread-scented beauty. It creates the illusion of a warm kitchen in full baking swing – it’s completely cosy and homely, not to mention mouth-watering.

Circa Home Classic Gingerbread Cookies Candle

Story by Tess de Vivie de Régie.  Holding shot from Instagram @diptyque