With the holidays fast approaching, one thing that really seems to get people in the spirit like nothing else is a warm scented candle to light and give ambiance to a room.
I went to both Home Sense (pricier selection) and Dollarama (less expensive) to see if I could find good scented candles at both price points. I purchased 8 different candles, all for various different prices but no more expensive than $12. Some were holiday scented, and some floral or food scented. In fear of being that weirdo in aisle 6 who gets kicked out of the store for vigorously sniffing all of the merchandise, I decided to purchase the candles before actually smelling them. I just went by the descriptions of the scents that jumped out at me the most.
When I got home and tested them out, I was surprised by which candles I really liked the smell of and which were a definite no.
Lemon Biscotti from Dollarama: $4.00
I was initially really excited about this one because of the unique scent. Lemon Biscotti is generally not a typical smell you would expect from a candle. Sadly, when I actually smelled this candle and let it burn for a while, it wasn’t the smell of Lemon Biscotti that wafted through my room. It had a slight smell of something sugary, but it wasn’t great. Sorry, Dollarama but this one was not a winner.
Winter’s Edge from Home Sense: $3.50
This was one of the less expensive Home Sense candles. You’re probably thinking: what could the Edge of Winter possibly smell like? Well, I’m not sure. I was expecting something fresh and light, but Winter’s Edge had a scent reminiscent of men’s cologne (which could be a good thing depending if that’s something you’re into). I’ll give it a mediocre rating.
Holly Berry from Home Sense: $5.35
This candle was another holiday themed one. I actually found this one lived up to it’s name, and had a very nice pine tree smell. It was festive, and not too strong either. Definitely a good candle for the Christmas season.
Lilac from Dollarama: $4.00
Atrocious. The only way this candle smelled like a Lilac, is if that Lilac was wrapped in an old dirty sock, slathered in dog food and set on fire. This is honestly probably one of the worst things I’ve ever had the displeasure of smelling in my life. I spent at least 30 minutes trying to rid my room of the scent this candle left behind after lighting it. Don’t be fooled by the cute pink colour and mason jar packaging like I was. This candle speaks darkness. Avoid at all costs.
Mulled Apple Cider from Home Sense: $9.99
This candle has a nice fruity scent that isn’t overwhelming. Plus its massive, which means it lasts a long time and you get the most for your dollar. It doesn’t have the strongest smell but personally I don’t mind that.
Vanilla Espresso from Home Sense: $12.40
The most expensive candle by far, but definitely worth it. This candle might be one of the best things I’ve ever smelled. It smells like a legitimate vanilla espresso somehow made into a candle, like to the point where I was almost tempted to eat it. Also, the mug packaging is totally creative and adorable, and it would look good as a decor in almost any room. Love.
If you’re looking to purchase a candle this holiday season to add a touch of coziness to your room, definitely try any of the ones I recommended in this list. Dollarama does offer some great products but as far as candles go, it seems like you get what you pay for.
