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Candles and scent do more for the Christmas mood than almost any other decoration, and they cost little. A pine, orange or cinnamon note greets you at the door and says that the season has started.
In a small home there are two things to watch. A scent gets strong fast in a small room, and a candle sits close to greenery, curtains and a tree. Here are ten ideas that look and smell good, and keep the home safe.
Safety first
- Never leave a candle burning when you leave the room or go to sleep.
- Keep flames away from greenery. A dry tree, a garland and a paper decoration burn fast.
- Use a stable, heat-resistant holder on a flat surface, away from the edge of a table.
- Keep candles out of reach of children and pets.
- Choose flameless candles near the tree, on a mantel with a garland, or when kids are around.
- Test smoke alarms before the holidays and keep a lid or snuffer near the candles.
01Flameless candles with a timer
Flameless candles with a flicker and a timer look real and turn on at the same time every evening. They are the best choice near a tree or a garland.
02A single scented candle in a jar
One good candle in a glass jar is better than many weak ones. Choose pine, cedar, orange or cinnamon, and trim the wick to a quarter inch before each use.
03A simmer pot on the stove
A small pot of water with orange slices, cloves, cinnamon sticks and a sprig of rosemary makes a warm scent without any flame in the living room. Keep the heat low, top up the water and never leave it alone.
04A reed diffuser
A reed diffuser has no flame, no cord and no heat. It works well in a small room, a hallway or a bathroom. See also our Christmas bathroom decor ideas.
05An ultrasonic diffuser with essential oils
A diffuser with a timer lets you control the strength of a scent. Use a few drops of oil, and check that the oils are safe for pets in your home.
06Candle holders for the table
Glass holders in a row on a tray set the mood on a dining table. Use a tray with an edge. See our Christmas table decor ideas.
07A lantern for the windowsill or the floor
A lantern with a flameless candle inside lights a corner and keeps a flame away from curtains. It is also a good idea for a balcony or a stoop.
08A wax melt warmer
A wax warmer heats the scent without a wick. Put it on a stable surface and away from children, since it gets hot.
09Scented pine cones and sachets
Scented pine cones in a bowl, or sachets in a drawer, give a light scent that never goes out. Refresh with a drop of oil every week.
10A snuffer and a matchbox
If you do burn real candles, a snuffer puts them out cleanly. A long match or lighter and a small tray complete the set.
Choosing a scent
- Pine and cedar: fresh and traditional, good for a living room.
- Orange and clove: warm, good for the kitchen and hallway.
- Cinnamon and vanilla: sweet, good for a bedroom, in small amounts.
- One scent per room: two strong scents at once tend to clash.
Where to put them
Put the main scent near the entrance and in the living room, where people gather. Keep the bedroom light, with a diffuser on a timer that turns off before you sleep. Use a stable tray under a group of candles, and leave at least a foot of clear space around each flame. In a very small home, one scent in the main room is enough, since the smell travels through open doors.
Before you pay
- Check the burn time and the size of the room.
- Choose unscented or light candles near the dining table, since a strong scent competes with food.
- If someone in the home has allergies or asthma, choose flameless candles and skip strong scents.
- For more cozy ideas, see our small apartment Christmas decorating ideas and our Christmas bedroom decor ideas.
