What Do You Put In Christmas Candles?

Christmas candles are a beloved tradition during the holiday season. These festively scented and decorated candles help set the mood and ambiance for Christmas celebrations. Their glow provides a warm, cozy feeling that brings joy and excitement on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. The popularity of Christmas candles has steadily grown over the years, with many stores devoting entire sections to specialty holiday candles during November and December. People love lighting Christmas candles to fill their homes with seasonal scents like pine, cinnamon, peppermint, and winter fruit. The flickering flames create a heartwarming atmosphere and represent peace, hope, and light during the darkest time of year. Christmas candles have become a staple decorative item and holiday tradition in many households.

Common Candle Materials

Different types of wax are commonly used to make Christmas candles, each with their own properties and characteristics. Some of the most popular candle waxes include:

Paraffin Wax – This petroleum-based wax is highly refined and odorless, making it ideal for scenting. It’s also inexpensive and readily available. However, paraffin releases toxins when burned and is not biodegradable or eco-friendly.^[1]

Soy Wax – Made from hydrogenated soybean oil, this renewable and biodegradable wax burns cleanly. It holds fragrance well but does not retain shape or burn as long as paraffin. Soy wax is soft and prone to frosting.

Beeswax – Derived from honeycomb, beeswax has a pleasant natural honey aroma. It burns longer than other waxes and holds scent well. However, beeswax is expensive and can be tricky to work with.

Palm Wax – Made from palm oil, this hard natural wax blends well with soy wax. It helps candles burn longer and hold their shape. However, there are environmental concerns around palm oil production.^[2]

Other options include coconut wax, bayberry wax, and vegetable-based waxes. The wax type impacts the candle’s burn properties, scent throw, and environmental footprint. Many candles combine different waxes to optimize qualities.

Candle Scents

Christmas candles often feature festive scents that evoke the smells of the holiday season. Some of the most popular Christmas candle scents include:

Pine – Pine scented candles smell like fresh evergreen trees and forest walks. Scents like balsam fir, pine tree, and cedar capture the essence of a real Christmas tree. Source

Cinnamon – Cinnamon candles smell warm, spicy, and sweet. The scent of cinnamon evokes baked goods like cinnamon buns, gingerbread, and sugar cookies. Source

Gingerbread – Gingerbread scented candles often mix smells like cinnamon, cloves, molasses, and vanilla to create the aroma of freshly baked gingerbread cookies. Source

Peppermint – Peppermint is a popular scent for Christmas candles because it smells cool, refreshing, and sweet like candy canes.

Mulled Wine – Mulled wine candles try to capture the smell and warmth of a spiced holiday wine with notes of cinnamon, clove, citrus, and apple.

Snowfall/Frozen Lake – These wintry candle scents blend crisp, clean smells like frost and mint with pine to evoke the feeling of an icy winter day.

Candle Colors

Christmas candles come in a variety of festive colors that hold symbolic meaning. Some of the most popular Christmas candle colors include:

• Red – Signifies love, passion, and the blood of Christ. Red candles are often used for Christmas Eve services.
• Green – Represents nature, hope, and eternal life. Green symbolizes the evergreen trees used for Christmas decor.
• White – Denotes purity, peace, and light. White candles are used in most Advent wreaths. The white candle in the center is called the Christ candle and is lit on Christmas Day to represent Jesus Christ. (Source)
• Purple – Traditionally signifies preparation, repentance and fasting during Advent. The color purple is commonly used for the three candles lit on the first three Sundays of Advent. (Source)
• Pink – Used on the third Sunday of Advent to represent joy. Pink symbolizes a lighter mood amidst the solemnity of the season. (Source)

Candle colors hold special meaning and are intentionally chosen to reflect the themes and moods associated with the Advent and Christmas seasons.

Candle Shapes

Christmas candles come in a variety of festive shapes that reflect the holiday season. Some popular Christmas candle shapes include:

Christmas trees: These candles are tapered and triangular to resemble an evergreen tree. They often come in shades of green.

Snowmen: Round, stacked candles mimic the look of a smiling snowman.

Stars: Star-shaped candles represent the Star of Bethlehem that guided the wise men. Stars are a classic Christmas candle shape.

Santa Claus: Some candles are molded into the shape of Santa in his red suit and hat.

Wreaths: Round, ring-shaped candles decorated with pine sprigs look just like Christmas wreaths.

Angels: Angels are symbolic of Christmas. Angel-shaped candles have wings and halos.

Gingerbread men: These cute candies are associated with Christmas baking traditions.

Icicles: Tall, dripping taper candles are designed to look like icicles hanging from the roof.

Bells: Bells represent Christmas music and merriment.

Candles shaped like Christmas trees, snowmen, stars, wreaths, and other festive symbols help set a warm, holiday mood. Shoppers can find Christmas-themed candles at craft stores like Walmart during the holiday season.

Candle Wicks

The wick is the fiber strand that runs through the center of a candle. The wick serves a functional purpose by bringing fuel to the flame. As the flame melts the wax, capillary action draws the liquid wax up the wick to keep the candle burning. There are various materials used to make candle wicks.

Cotton

Cotton is one of the most common wick materials. Cotton wicks are made from thin cotton threads that are braided or twisted together. The capillary action works well with cotton fiber. Cotton wicks tend to burn cooler and slower than some other materials.

Wooden Wicks

Wooden wicks are made from natural soft woods like bamboo or poplar. Thin wood shavings are twisted together to form the wick. Wooden wicks make a crackling sound when burning, which some people find pleasing. However, wooden wicks can get very hot and create more soot.

Paper Wicks

Wicks can also be made from rolled paper. Plain paper or flat cotton paper can be used. Paper wicks tend to be inexpensive but have a faster burn rate than other materials. The paper ashes at the tip as the candle burns down.

Candle Dyes

Dyes have long been used to add vibrant pops of color to candles. Candlemakers have two main options when it comes to selecting dyes: natural or synthetic.

Natural dyes are derived from ingredients found in nature such as plants, minerals, and some animal byproducts. Common natural dyes used in candlemaking include turmeric, beet root, cinnamon, and cochineal (from insects). Natural dyes produce soft, earthy candle colors. However, natural dyes can be more expensive and require higher dye loads to achieve bold colors.

Synthetic dyes offer bolder, richer colors at lower costs. These artificial dyes are chemically synthesized in a lab. Popular options include FD&C and D&C colors, though candlemakers can also use food coloring or liquid candle dye. The intense colors produced by synthetics have made them the most widely used dyes for candles today. However, some makers prefer natural dyes for their subtle tones and marketing appeal.

When selecting candle dyes, crafters should consider the desired color intensity, cost, dye load requirements, and preference for natural or synthetic sources. Testing dyes first is key to finding the right shades and vibrancy for each candle project.

Candle Additives

There are many different additives that can be mixed into candle wax to enhance the look, scent, and burn quality of the candles. Some popular additives for Christmas candles include:

Essential Oils – Essential oils like cinnamon, pine, peppermint, and orange are commonly added to give Christmas candles appealing aromas. According to TheCandleMakersStore.com, essential oils should be limited to 3-5% of the wax volume as higher amounts can clog the wick and cause burning issues [TheCandleMakersStore.com].

Glitter – Finely ground particles of glitter can create a sparkling effect in candles when mixed into the wax. Use candle-safe glitters as regular craft glitter may clog wicks or be unsafe to burn [NorthwoodCandleSupply.com].

Dye Chips – Small chips of colored soy wax can melt to create colorful swirls and patterns. Use 1-2% of the wax weight for bold swirling effects [LoneStarCandleSupply.com].

Herbs and Spices – Ground cinnamon, rosemary, pine needles, and citrus peels can provide subtle visual and fragrance effects. Make sure particles are finely ground to avoid clogging issues.

Wax Shavings – Leftover wax shavings from candle making can be re-melted and added to create texture and visual interest. Natural, uncolored shavings work best.

Safety Tips

When burning candles during the holidays, it’s important to keep some safety tips in mind. According to Dales Radio, you should never leave burning candles unattended. Make sure to put out candles before going to bed or leaving the house. Keep candles away from children and pets, and avoid placing them near curtains, trees, or other flammable items. The Kilkenny Fire Service also recommends keeping candles on stable, heat resistant surfaces. Trim wicks to 1⁄4 inch before lighting to avoid excess smoke and dripping. Make sure candles are in proper holders and out of drafts. Consider using battery powered flameless candles which remove the fire risk entirely.

Popular Christmas Candle Brands

When it comes to Christmas candles, there are several brands that stand out for their festive and high-quality options. Here are some of the top names in Christmas candles:

Yankee Candle – This brand is synonymous with candles, and their Christmas collection is full of classics like Balsam & Cedar, Christmas Cookie, and Cranberry Chutney. They offer jar candles, votives, tealights, and more.

Bath & Body Works – Another major player in the candle game, Bath & Body Works has dozens of Christmas candle scents like Fresh Balsam, Twisted Peppermint, and Vanilla Snowflake. Their 3-wick candles make great gifts.

Village Candle – Village Candle is known for their Christmas candles inspired by classic Christmas tales and traditions. Scents include Sugar Plum Fairy, Christmas Morning, and Gingerbread House.

WoodWick Candle – These candles are unique for their crackling wood wicks that make a peaceful, natural sound. Favorites include Fireside, Christmas Tree Farm, and Holiday Hearth.

Voluspa – Voluspa creates artisanal, creatively packaged candles that make impressive gifts. Christmas scents feature notes like spruce, pine, balsam fir, and more.

These are just a few of the quality brands offering Christmas candle collections. Their festive scents and beautiful vessels help capture the holiday spirit.