If you’ve stepped into a Bath & Bodyworks store lately, one thing is clear: It’s the holiday season.
If you didn’t notice the overwhelming array of signage, the endless shelves of soap dispensers, or the stacks of candles that would make skyscrapers jealous, you’ll know by the scent. Whether it’s the aroma of grandma’s baking wafting through the air or the piney scent of sledding on a chilling snowy day, scent is one of our most poignant holders of nostalgia—and candle companies know this.
Cashing in on nostalgia is one of the most important jobs for candle companies desperate for profits this holiday season, and Bath & Bodyworks is no exception. In search of holiday cheer (and checks), they launched their coveted holiday candles, soaps, body washes and adjacent products in early November.
New Scents
The new scents include fruity fragrances like Mrs. Claus’s Cocktail, spiced scents like Cinnamon Sugared Pecans, and of course, other baking-based aromas like Santa’s Milk & Cookies, Spiced Gingerbread and Cinnamon Sugar Pretzel Cookie. And no Christmas roll-out would be complete without a balsam-based candle; this year, it was Lavender & Pine.
Many new Bath and Body scents serve to emulate a nostalgic setting this year’s additions, Cozy Winter Cottage and Christmas Cabin, utilize hints of cedar, amber musk, and clove to tug on our holiday heartstrings—and it’s working.
Back For Another Season
As new candles roll in, it’s important not to dismiss the classics. Winter Candy Apple has been kicking it since 2006 (before almost anyone in the Class of 2026 was born!), while Bean Noel, Twisted Peppermint and Hot Cocoa & Cream followed, bringing prized scents to the holiday season. With many candles staying a season or two before retirement, candles can only last so long on the shelves through popularity. After all, if new candles keep being released, old candles are often being replaced for their shelf space. Talk about a competitive industry!
Our Overall Favorites
Although the new scents are appreciated, the (subjectively) best scents were already on shelves in previous years. The classic Winter Candy Apple has stood the test of time because of its heartwarmingly-sweet and distinctive aroma. Crushed Candy Cane is perfect for mint-lovers, while Frozen Lake has a perplexingly dark and crisp scent that perfectly embodies the biting cold of a winter night.
Soaps
The soaps collection was also updated this year, with warm baking-inspired scents like Cookie Butter Truffle and Simmer & Spice, so you can clean your hands after baking with the scent of, well, more baking.
Our Pick For Best New Candle: Peppermint Sugar Cookie
Peppermint Sugar Cookie packs a pleasant punch, with a minty smell similar to Crushed Candy Cane and Twisted Peppermint but with warm buttery notes and the saccharine scent of vanilla extract akin to the Santa’s Milk & Cookies and Crispy Cookie Edges scents. This candle will leave you craving the real thing, so it might be best to stop at the grocery store after your candle shopping spree.
Above all, this year’s candles have stood out from previous years for their elaborate design. The ornately-decorated jars have been a massive selling point. Nowadays, consumers aren’t just buying a scent: They’re buying an aesthetic. The candle’s purpose isn’t just to smell pretty, but to look pretty, too. But this begs the question: How will Bath & Bodyworks try to top this next year?