A Christmas candle can really help put you in the festive spirit and this week we've been testing out ones from Marks and Spencer, Aldi and Asda.
Once you've got your decorations up and the fairy lights are twinkling, a candle with a festive scent and Christmassy look is the perfect addition to create that cosy feel at home. You can pick them up from budget stores including Home Bargains and B&M, or pay a small fortune at places like Jo Malone and The White Company.
This week, we picked three popular retailers to put their Christmas candles to the test, comparing them on price, look, scent and overall value for money. Here's our verdict:
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Marks and Spencer Clove & Cinnamon Christmas Candle
I love a flickering candle with a festive scent and have been buying these 'light up' versions for a few years now, but I've tended to get them from Sainsbury's in the past. This year I decided to give good old M&S a go instead and opted for this chunky size, knowing I'd be using it a lot over the festive period.
At £10, it's not the cheapest on the market, but being M&S I was hoping it would be worth the money. Even unlit, the candle looked pretty on my fireplace, with its frosty night-time scene matching in with my other decorations.
But once lit it really transformed, with the flame triggering off LED lights that gave the whole thing extra sparkle in a chic black and gold colour. Not only did I love the way it looked, but I found the candle really relaxing and it definitely helped give my living room an extra touch of festive feels when watching all my favourite Christmas films.
I have to say though that the clove and cinnamon scent is really subtle and it certainly isn't one that immediately fills the space. I noticed it more if I left and then re-entered the room. Sometimes scented candles can be overpowering, so if you prefer something less heady then this is a good option, but if you're buying for that Christmassy scent, you might want to try something else.
Rating: 4/5
Price: £10
Where to buy: This particular candle is currently sold out online, but available in select M&S stores. Shop the full M&S Christmas Fragrance range here.
Asda Natural Gingerbread Cookies Candle
I adore candles - the more the merrier in my house, especially if they're scented. My boyfriend loves to cook and while I adore being able to take advantage of his kitchen creations, I can't stand food smells lingering in my home.
I find candles that have a food based scent are the best at combatting unwanted aromas like onions, or herbs and spices. Asda's Natural Gingerbread Cookies Candle caught my eye because of its festive design, and the sweet fragrance.
It comes in a simple but large glass jar with a stylish gold lid, complete with simple illustrations of heart, snowflake and gingerbread man shaped cookies. The candle itself is poured into the jar, its natural colour reminiscent of cookie batter.
When lit, the fragrance is powerful enough to combat the persistent scent of lasagne, curries, fajitas, shepherd's pies, roasts and more. It's a sweet aroma, similar to the delectable treats on offer at traditional bakeries.
It also lasts a long time - I was able to light it for several hours a night for a good few weeks before it burned out. It's a beautiful, festive fragrance that I'll definitely be rebuying. It was a bit pricey for a supermarket candle, but I think the size of it and how long it lasts makes it well worth the money.
Rating: 5/5
Price: £10
Where to buy: Online or your local Asda store
Aldi Alpine Mist Candle
It's safe to say I'm obsessed with candles, especially seasonal ones. Whether it's Halloween, Valentine's Day or Christmas, there's always going to be a few themed candles in my house to mark the occasion.
The only downside about candles is the fact that they can often be quite expensive, depending on which brand you go for. I'm a big fan of Yankee Candle, but sometimes, they can cost over £15 for a large candle, and that's quite a lot of money when you think about it.
Currently, my house is filled with a range of mini Christmas candles, from a Christmas Cookie scent to Red Apple, you name it, I've got it. Recently, I've been on the look out for an affordable larger candle to finish my festive collection, so I took a trip to my local Aldi to see what I could find.
After smelling virtually all of them in the middle of the aisle, I came home with Aldi's 'Alpine Mist' candle, which is absolutely stunning to say the least. The refreshing, almost frosted scent fills the room with ease and smelt amazing.
It looks very similar to a Yankee Candle, and is in a lovely frosted green colour to match the theme. I was actually surprised at how strong the scent was, but it wasn't too overpowering which was also a bonus. Considering this candle was £3.99 and absolutely huge, I'll definitely be grabbing some more from Aldi in the future. Such a bargain!
Rating: 5/5
Price: £3.99
Where to buy: The Alpine Mist candle is currently out of stock. You can take a look at other Aldi candles online here.
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