The holidays are all about celebratory moments with friends and family—gathering around the table for a delicious dinner, watching movies in front of the fireplace, and unwrapping thoughtful gifts, to name a few.
Another way to make the season feel special year after year is by lighting candles, whether you are celebrating Christmas, Hanukkah, or Kwanzaa. Below are four reasons why we particularly enjoy lighting candles during the winter season.
The Power Scent and Memory
It is amazing how a scent can instantly trigger a memory, and come wintertime, we particularly enjoy lighting candles with fragrances that remind us of pleasant moments from holidays’ past. Perhaps a gingerbread-scented candle will remind you of afternoons spent baking with your grandmother as a child. A crisp vanilla candle may bring you calmness and peace after a busy day of rushing around gift shopping. Additionally, if you have favorite candles that you only light during the holidays, you will always associate their scent with the festive season. Setting aside special fragrances to look forward to year after year can be a tradition in itself.
Scent Can Evoke Festivity
If you love the smell of fresh pine but are unable to set up a live Christmas tree in your home, you can still enjoy the scent of balsam by lighting a candle. Evergreen-scented candles are an excellent way for those who own fake trees or are not spending much time at home in December to enjoy the scents of the season without committing to the purchase of a live pine.
Candles Can Promote Relaxation and Remembrance
Despite being filled with joyful moments, the holidays may prompt stress or sadness, too. The simple ritual of lighting a candle each evening and relaxing with loved ones will help ease your spirits during what can be an overscheduled, demanding month. Additionally, the holidays can be particularly difficult for those who have recently lost a loved one or are navigating major life changes. Lighting a candle in honor of a relative or to convey hope for what is to come can be a calming and grounding practice.
Candles Will Boost Your Spirits
Last but not least, the holiday season is filled with short, dark days and chilly weather. Coming home to a warm, candle-filled space can be an excellent way to boost your mood and feel more cheerful even if the weather outside is frightful. Spending a cozy evening in the family room with a cup of hot cocoa, a holiday movie playing, and a cluster of candles lit on the mantel is bound to fill you and your loved ones with cheer all month long
