One of my sickest obsessions is a pine candle. I LOVE PINE CANDLES. I have tried countless ones over the years and am finally compiling my definitive rank. I particularly enjoy the versatility of a pine candle, like there's so many different routes you could take. Like you could go warm and cozy, perfect for decorating a tree with those you love, or you could find one that's very upscale, like the lobby of the Plaza during December, like it's really a choose your own adventure type thing. Now, if you are looking for a general holiday candle guide, I’ve got one here.
For this ranking I am taking price, hot throw (how it smells when it's burning), and burn into consideration (things like tunneling, etc). I do bump some up for vessel as well, although I know that this isn't necessarily a priority for everyone. Still, I like pretty things and it's noted. I've also got a holiday candle recommendation, here. Unfortunately for my bank account I have burned far more, but these are the best of them. So without further ado, here is my definitive rank of all fir, pine, holiday candles. Happy smelling babes.
In the year of 2025 I officially have a new favorite pine candle, and that's woodland spruce by Lafco. It's quite modern, what I wanna pull out when I wanna impress. I picked this up a few weeks ago and after some careful burning I've gotta say it's a real winner. It's top of the list in part for the stunning hand blown glass vessel (which will make a great vase tbh), and for its really vibrant scent. It's got an impressive cold and hot throw and when burning can be smelt all throughout my apartment.
This is a more elevated pine, with notes of birch, palo santo wood, evergreen spruce, fir balsam and juniper berries. Now obviously that fir and spruce is pretty dominant, but I think the berries keep things a little fresh, while the palo santo makes it almost have this really earthy lived in feel. I just really love how much this candle feels like a luxury hotel lobby during the holidays, plus the added bonus of a vessel that you can reuse over and over is nice.
Winter Wonderland by Glasshouse
Perhaps the most traditional of the list, this candle feels like Kevin McCallister's house. There's something so nostalgic about it, completely different from Lafco's. Although, I will say these are tied for first place. Notes include pine needles, eucalyptus, apple, middle notes: red fruits, fir balsam, spruce, base notes: cedarwood. It overwhelmingly pulls as spruce, balsam, and pine needles.
The first 90 minutes of burning this candle for the first time is a bit intense, I had it burning in my office and had to move it out because I found it to be too strong. But once I moved it into a larger room it was fine. After that 90 minute mark it tapers out much nicer. Eventually it just turns into this beautiful warm nostalgic feeling that fills my entire house. I even got compliments from a guest when burning it.
Glasshouse not only scores major points in the fragrance department but where it really excels is the packaging. It's absolutely stunning, especially this year, the chrome detail is really special, combined with the detailed scenery is just wow. When you light it there's this beautiful glow that comes from the cutouts. I can't wait to reuse this as a candy jar in the future. Glasshouse is one of my favorite candle brands, it's got a very clean nice burn, never any tunneling, and of course a soy wax.
This has been my go to pine candle for the last four years, only now being dethroned by Lafco. This candle is far more traditional Christmas and is very cozy. I love this for evenings in particularly when actually setting up my tree. The notes on this one include Siberian fir needles, cedarwood and sandalwood. It's dominantly Siberian fir and the cedarwood also makes it feel rather forestry. I think overall this candle is a really wonderful option, I've recommended it (and gifted it) several times and people adore it.
The cool thing about this is it also comes in a ton of different vessels depending on your home decor and budget (I like this one), and as well as different formulations, like room sprays, hand soaps, and even a collaboration with Pura for a car fragrance. I also have the Pura and this collaboration specifically and cannot overstate how great it is. Perfect for driving around and critiquing your neighbors' Christmas lights.
Roland Pine by Soap and Paper Factory
For something a little more cozy cabin feel I recommend Roland Pine by Soap and Paper Factory. It's still quite nice, but not quite as elevated as Lafco or Glasshouse. It's really nice for a holiday movie marathon on the couch (my big three are Home Alone, live action Grinch, and White Christmas, honorary mention is Carol). It does have a bit more of a faint burn, especially initially, after about an hour it picks up much more and it will fill a living room nicely. The burn on this is very clean, never any tunneling, and it's also made with soy wax.
This year they have a special edition packaging (with matching matches!) with New York iconic landmarks and holiday things, like the Rockettes! Even the Radio City drawing is decked out for the season. I love this option, and think it's a real steal for the price point, worth every penny.
Where Voluspa really excels is their packaging. It's got this beautiful art deco detail that really elevates a space. The glass is a really nice thick quality and I love storing my perfume samples in it, I even play sample roulette with it! But as for the fragrance, divine, but very modern. Notes include noble fir needles, cedarwood, glowing amber, cashmere musk. The cashmere musk really sets it apart from others on the list, it pulls it to this really high bar vibe, kinda like a silk robe and martini in a candle. I do get a lot of fir and musk especially as it burns after an hour or so.
I love this candle for smaller spaces, like the bathroom or an office. It's quite nice for when you want something subtle in the background, not everything needs to be loud all the time. I usually have it burning in the bathroom when I'm entertaining during the season. This has notes of oakmoss, fir needle and cinnamon. I don't particularly get much cinnamon from it. I'll also say that the cold throw is really not good, but once burning it's much better.
I can appreciate the versatile options of vessels. I particularly like the pine cone votives, the green mercury glass Christmas ornament, I think those make really nice gifts, especially at the price point. You can also go a bit more casual with some tin options. This burn does tunnel a bit depending on the vessel, but nothing to make it unusable. The multiple vessel choices bump this one up slightly for me.
Ending out this list of pine specific candles, is something fun and playful, a modern Hallmark Christmas movie. Old Saint Wick is fun because it's fully monochromatic. Notes include Siberian pine, apple blossom (like a semi-dry cider), rosemary, jasmine, fir balsam, sandalwood, and cedarwood. I don't quite get a strong rosemary or apple blossom scent but I do think it helps keep the scent a little lighter and not as traditional Christmas. It kinda feels a bit what the marketing gods would say is a California Christmas. Like it's cool and fun and relaxed, but still familiar enough. I think you could also reuse the glass as a fun vase.
Honorable Mention: Holiday by Nest
Now this isn't a pine, in like the traditional sense, it's a note sure, and there's hints of it in Nest's Holiday candle, but there's way more to this. Because it's not fully pine it doesn't feel right to rank it in here. It's so opulent and over the top, literally the epitome of luxury. It's got notes of pomegranate, mandarin orange, pine, cloves, and cinnamon with a hint of vanilla and amber. It really captures the scene of a holiday party, it's warm and cozy, but over the top, mulled wine out of a crystal punch bowl, silver candlesticks, and wood banisters lined with fresh garland. I love the vanilla and amber it helps make it just a little sweet, while the pomegranate really pulls it into a whole different direction.
I do think the gold design on the vessel looks really nice when lit, a perfect glow. Nest also makes this as a scent for the car in collaboration with the Pura device, I've been using it for the last few weeks in my car and I absolutely love it!
Well thanks for joining me, happy holidays, and may your space be filled with beautiful scents. Or if you're gifting, may you get the best reputation for being a superb gift giver.
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