Candle Day 2025: How to Put Your Candles to Good Use This Season
Everyone’s talking about Candle Day. But what is it really, and what does it mean for you? Yes, you can stock up on candles, but the real question is how they’ll actually help you during a busy holiday season. The answer is a lot.
You might not think much about scent beyond what you like, but research from Harvard Medicine Magazine shows how closely scent and memory are connected, which is one reason Candle Day ends up being more than just a discount weekend. The candles themselves are the easy part. It’s what you do with them that makes Candle Day worth paying attention to — how they support hosting, gifting, relaxing, resetting or simply making your place feel like somewhere you want to be.
If you’ve been curious about different types of candles or want to explore simple candle making, Candle Day is often the moment that gets you in the mood. This isn’t about collecting jars. It’s about setting yourself up for a smoother, more intentional December.
Jump to Section
- What is Candle Day?
- Best Candle Day Ideas
- Bath & Body Works Candle Day Tips
- Yankee Candle Day Tips
- Online Candle Day Deals
- DIY & Candle Making Ideas
- How to Prep for Candle Day
- Candle Day FAQs
What is Candle Day?
Candle Day is a once-a-year weekend where major candle brands drop their prices and people stock up for the months ahead. It usually lands in the first weekend of December, and 2025 is no different.
Most people treat it as their chance to refill the scents they use all winter or grab a few for gifting. Prices vary by retailer, but the draw is simple: it’s the most affordable time of year to buy candles.
Once you know the basics, the real fun is figuring out how those candles will fit into your season, from setting a calm tone at home to making gatherings feel more intentional.
Best Candle Day Ideas
Our Candle Day ideas aren’t about buying more candles. They’re about using Candle Day to make the next few weeks smoother and a little more enjoyable.
1. DIY Candle Party
If you’d rather make your own candles for Candle Day, a small DIY session is an easy way to do it. You can set up at home or join a local candle making class in Atlanta, Boston or Chicago if you want someone to guide the process. It’s a seasonal activity that works for a night in with friends and a fun way to experiment with your favorite Candle Day scents.
2. Candle Day Wish List
The best way to stay focused on Candle Day is to make a short list of all the candles you want to buy ahead of time. Choose the scents you know you’ll use this season, then add one or two you’re curious about. It makes the whole experience faster and keeps you from getting overwhelmed when things start selling out.
3. Holiday Brunch
If you’re hosting a holiday brunch, Candle Day is a good moment to pick scents that actually fit the setting. Lighter fragrances — citrus, herbs or anything fresh — work well because they won’t compete with food or overpower the room. A few well-placed candles surrounded by garland, pinecones, dried orange peels and other festive touches can make the table feel intentional without taking attention away from the meal.
4. Self-Care Kits
This year’s Candle Day lineup includes select body care products, such as fragrance mists, lotions and soaps. Which is great if you’re shopping for gifts on Candle Day, building mini self-care kits for everyone on your Christmas list, for a budget-friendly option. Pair a candle with a few simple add-ins like lotion or soap, and you’ve got a thoughtful present that doesn’t take much time.
5. Candle Gift Exchange
Put a Candle Day spin on the classic holiday tradition of a White Elephant gift exchange. Everyone brings a candle, and numbers are drawn to determine the order in which gifts are chosen. The fun part is that nobody knows what scent their candle is until they unwrap the present, and they can either decide to keep it or swap it with someone else who’s already opened theirs.
Bath & Body Works Candle Day Tips
Bath & Body Works is the brand most people associate with Candle Day, which means things move fast. A little planning helps you get what you want without feeling rushed.
6. Make a List (and Check It Twice)
You’ll be competing with lots of other shoppers on Candle Day, so come prepared. If you already know which candles you want to buy, you can simply add them to your cart and check out instead of wasting time perusing the site or browsing the store.
7. Set a Budget
Just because Candle Day is the biggest sale of the year doesn’t mean you need to load up on every scent. It’s easy to get carried away, so set a simple budget before you start to prevent going overboard while still getting the fragrances you’re most excited about.
8. Start Shopping Early
Making a list doesn’t guarantee that all your Candle Day favorites will be in stock. Popular scents tend to disappear first, so don’t wait until Sunday to start shopping, or you risk missing out on scents that may never return. It saves you the stress of checking back later.
Yankee Candle Day Tips
Yankee Candle has a different feel during Candle Day — slower paced, more traditional, and usually with a broader mix of seasonal and year-round scents.
9. Grab All Your Favorites
If you've got your Yankee staples, grab those first. The best Yankee Candle scents, like Pink Sands, Macintosh and Balsam & Cedar, tend to disappear quickly on Candle Day, and sticking with what you already love makes the rest of your shopping easier.
10. Hold Out for the After-Christmas Sale
Before Yankee Candle began participating in Candle Day, it offered two semi-annual sales: one in the summer and another just after Christmas. The post-holiday sale is still happening this year, so with that in mind, you don’t have to buy every candle on your list on Candle Day. Save money to use for other Christmas gifts and come back after the holidays to finish shopping.
11. Check Out the New Scents
Yankee Candle released a huge collection of new holiday fragrances this year, and many are included in the Candle Day sale. Some of the scents include Eggnog Milkshake, Gingerbread Nutcrackers and several candles made in collaboration with The Polar Express. Select one or two that give you those December feels and stick with them.
Online Candle Day Deals
Sure, shopping online for Candle Day is a good choice if you don't like dealing with crowds, but the real advantage is being able to compare scents, quantities and prices without rushing around. Here’s how to approach it so you don’t end up overwhelmed by the options.
12. Seasonal Candle Day Candles
Winter and holiday fragrances dominate Candle Day, and for good reason. Both Yankee Candle and Bath & Body Works offer discounts on some of their most popular seasonal scents, including Christmas Cookie and Balsam & Cedar (Yankee Candle) and Winter Candy Apple (Bath & Body Works).
Again, we say, go with the ones that actually belong in your holiday line-up — something for everyday use and something for gatherings. If you won’t burn it in the next few weeks, skip it.
13. Year-Round Bestsellers
Most retailers include their bestsellers in the sale, which makes Candle Day a good time to restock the scents you use long after the holidays end. Think of these as your “always on hand” candles that carry you into the new year.
14. Returning Scents
Online is usually where you’ll find special releases or retired fragrances that show up for one weekend. Bath & Body Works often releases a “From the Vault” collection of retired fragrances, giving people another opportunity to snag some of their old favorites.
This year’s returning candles are Smoked Vanilla, Brown Sugar & Fig, Blueberry Sugar, Vanilla Snowflake, Snowday and Peppermint Marshmallow. If you enjoyed any of those in the past or they sound interesting, grab them before it’s too late.
15. One-of-a-Kind Fragrances
Bath & Body Works rolls out a few themed collections for Candle Day each year. The “Host With the Most” lineup leans into seasonal scents like Cranberry Pear Bellini, while “Sundae Funday” focuses on dessert-style fragrances such as Hot Fudge Drizzle and Neapolitan Ice Cream. There’s also “Perfect Pairings,” a set of dual-scented candles that range from Coffee & Donuts to more unexpected mixes like Pizza & Ranch or Chips & Salsa. Some might sound a bit strange, but you never know.
16. Candle Day Keepsake Collection
It’s also worth keeping an eye on the featured Candle Day scent. For 2025, that’s Sun-Ripened Raspberry, a solid choice if you want something fresh and uncomplicated without sorting through every option.
DIY & Candle Making Ideas
Candle Day isn’t only about buying candles. It's a gentle reminder that this is a good time to look at some simple, creative projects that can make the season feel more personal. These ideas are easy, don’t require specialist tools and fit well into a quiet afternoon at home.
17. Scents and Colors
One of the most fundamental aspects of learning how to make candles is choosing scents and colors. Choose something you’ll actually burn — not just something that sounds nice. Use essential oils (or fragrance oils, which are a cheaper alternative) for scent and non-toxic crayons for color.
18. Container Candles
Get creative with your candle making by using different containers to mold your wax, such as heat-proof mugs or teacups. You can also place candles you already have (your Candle Day purchases, perhaps?) into mason jars and decorate them for an easy, inexpensive DIY gift.
19. Whipped Candles
Did you know you can make candles that look like dessert? Let the wax cool slightly, whip it until it thickens, then spoon or pipe it to create candles that resemble cupcakes or ice cream. It’s a quick way to make something that feels handmade without hours of work.
20. Embedded Candles
If you want a decorative touch, embed something non-flammable, like small stones or shells, around the edge of the wax. It gives the candle a bit of personality without complicating the burn.
21. Layered or Marbled Candles
Layered candles come from pouring one color at a time into your chosen container (make sure each layer fully sets before pouring the next). For a marbled look, start with a base color, then swirl a second color through the first before it hardens. Both approaches are straightforward ways to personalize a candle without much effort.
How to Prep for Candle Day
A bit of planning makes Candle Day feel manageable instead of chaotic. You don’t need a detailed strategy — just a few simple steps can help keep you on track.
22. Look at What You Already Have
Before you buy anything new, take a quick look at the scents you still enjoy and the ones you’re ready to phase out. It helps you avoid duplicates and makes space for things you’ll actually use this season.
23. Think About Where You’ll Use Your Candles
Not every room needs to smell like something's baking in the kitchen. Think about your needs for each room individually: something soft for the bedroom, something bright for the kitchen, something welcoming for the entryway. When you know what you're looking for, choosing scents becomes easier.
24. Note Any Scents You Avoid
If strong florals give you headaches or heavy gourmands feel a bit too strong, write it down. Candle Day can be sensory overload, and your “avoid list” is just as helpful as your wish list.
25. Check Return Policies Before You Shop
Policies vary by brand. Knowing whether you can exchange a candle makes trying something new feel less risky.
Candle Day FAQs
How Much Will Candles Be on Candle Day?
The average cost for a 3-wick candle on Candle Day is about $10, which is a nearly 70% markdown on the regularly ~$30 candles. Other retailers, such as Yankee Candle, are also participating in Candle Day, offering the same competitive discounts.
What Day Is Bath and Body Candle Day?
Bath and Body Works Candle Day usually takes place on the first weekend in December. In 2025, Candle Day runs from December 5 to 7.
Is Candle Day Online Too?
Yes. Most brands run the same deals online, which allows you to compare scents and shop without rushing.
Candle Day isn’t just a chance to restock. It’s a chance to set yourself up for a smoother December, whether you’re hosting, gifting or carving out a bit of calm in a busy week. A few well-chosen scents can make the season feel intentional without going overboard.
For even more fun holiday ideas, check out other experiences happening on Classpop!
