Three candlemakers share their must-burn fragrances to brighten chilly days

By Sharon Kinsella | Photo by John Michael Simpson

Starlit Woods

• SCENT NOTES ozone, camphor, citrus, red currant, pine needles, sage and eucalyptus
• AVAILABLE in an 8-ounce jar for $20
• FIND IT through February at switchbackcandles.com, Zeitgeist Gallery & Bar and local markets (find the full schedule at @switchbackcandles on Instagram).

“I named this candle after the stark beauty of bare trees and the way the stars shine brightly between the branches on a winter’s night,” says Christina Cameron, who started Switchback Candles in 2022. Top notes of ozone and camphor awakens the feeling of crisp, bracing air before opening into bright, fruity layers of citrus and red currant, and then settling into familiar winter notes of pine needles, sage and eucalyptus. “There’s something special about those quiet winter moments,” Christina says, “when you step outside and pause to notice the stillness, fresh air, bright stars and your breath in the glow of string lights.” Starlit Woods summons that fleeting calm – pensive, nostalgic and bright.

Under the Mistletoe

• SCENT NOTES eucalyptus, pine, clove and cedar
• AVAILABLE in an 8-ounce tin or jar for $20, an 8-ounce decorative jar for $25, a 12-ounce jar for $30 or in a three 8-ounce candle variety box with “Santa Baby” and “After Hours at the North Pole” for $45
• FIND IT through January online or at pop-up markets throughout the holiday season.

Ticca Harris, who launched The Raw Edition Candle Company in 2021, recommends enjoying this candle as part of a trio for a scent journey that blends spice, sweetness and woodiness – a fragrance that feels like coming home. “This [combined] scent is quintessential for the winter months because it wraps you in warmth and comfort,” Ticca says. “It evokes cozy nights by the fire, oversized sweaters and laughter that lingers long after the night ends.” She associates it with December birthdays, family gatherings, soft holiday music in the background and that first deep breath when you step inside from the cold – the one that instantly melts away the chill. It’s the kind of aroma, she says, that encourages you to slow down, sip something warm and linger a little longer.

Black Spruce

• SCENT NOTES black spruce, Cara Cara orange and vanilla
• AVAILABLE in a 7.5-ounce jar for $37 or in a giftable 3.4-ounce trio set with fragrances Black Currant and Black Cardamom for $45.
• FIND IT through Dec. 21 online, the showroom at 2020 Chapel Hill Rd., Ste. 24, in the Lakewood Shopping Center and at select local retailers (listed online).

Bright Black, founded by Tiffany M. Griffin and her husband, Dariel Heron, in 2019, releases a limited-edition holiday candle each year. This season’s Black Spruce captures the serene beauty of winter with a refined, modern scent. “It’s like stepping into a snowy forest,” Tiffany says, “grounded by evergreen but brightened with hints of vanilla and orange – woody yet unexpectedly inviting.” The fragrance balances earthy freshness with smooth warmth, offering a sophisticated twist on the quintessential pine aroma and reflecting what Tiffany describes as the season’s themes of “stillness, rest, restoration, inner growth and renewal.”