Honestly, I consider myself a big candle fan. They continuously make an appearance on my birthday wishlist, and I’ve owned varieties that run the gamut from old-book scented to a picture of my face on the jar. So, with years of experience under my belt, I’ve decided to take on the judgment of the one and only scent powerhouse, Bath and Body Works. 

Every year, Bath and Body Works goes all out for the winter holidays. Their store is littered with imitation fir trees and fake snow, swamped with mini sleighs and candy canes. The real standout, however, is the smell. 

You take one step past the Macy’s next door and you’re immediately slammed with a unique December cocktail. Seriously, I couldn’t even think of another holiday scent if I was genuinely Santa Claus. That’s not to say all of them are good, though. 

There are lots of winners, but there are a select few scents that simply do not smell appealing. So, the only logical thing for me to do is evaluate them. DISCLAIMER: This is completely subjective. I highly recommend you buy whatever scents make you happy. Also, I was wearing a mask when I smelled all of these candles, so keep that in mind. 

“Tis the Season” was a candle that immediately caught my eye when I walked into the store. With its festive, elegant design and its intense red hue, I walked over right away. When I gave it a try, I wasn’t disappointed. The sharpness of the color matched the sharpness of the scent, with a biting cinnamon that’s not too harsh to manage. It reminds me of a holiday evening sitting around the fire with the ones you love.

Next up was “Champagne Toast”. I was more than disappointed with this candle. I’ve used the “Champagne Toast” body wash in the past and was quite content with it, so I was surprised when this candle fell short. I expected it to be light with a touch of sweetness, with more of a New Year’s energy. However, it ended up smelling extremely bitter, and I would not recommend it.

“Frozen Lake” was an interesting one for me. I was excited about it, because I thought it would be nice and refreshing. I was mostly correct in this assumption, except it lacked one thing: the holiday element! I mostly picked up notes of fresh soap and laundry, which is nice but not exactly what one is looking for around this time of year. I think overall, though, it’s a pleasant-smelling candle. 

My least favorite of all was “Under the Christmas Tree”. This one just smelled dirty. Literally, it just smelled like dirt. I suppose one could make the argument that Christmas trees are trees, therefore they grow in dirt and may smell like dirt. The problem with that is most people aren’t always looking for the most accurate smell. They want the best smell, and that may not be the most precise. 

One exception to that principle is “Peppermint Sugar Cookie”. The aroma of this candle was beautifully on target, reminding me of all the best holiday baked goods. It was minty, but not overbearing and sweet, but not saccharine. It smelled freshly baked, like the way a kitchen smells around holiday time. It truly smelled delicious. In fact, I think I might put that exact candle on my wish list for this year. 

Folks, this season is prime time for candle smelling. I suggest you get out there and pick up some wicks before the window comes to a close. I adore Bath and Body Works, but you can also find some keepers at Yankee Candle, Anthropologie, and even Target. Smell at your own risk, though, and be sure to avoid the “Spiced Cranberry Toffee” (it smells like flavored cream cheese).