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Looking for the best candles to get your home smelling extra festive, or to give as gifts at Christmas? Beauty editor – and fragrance expert – Laura Mulley picks her favourites

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I think scented candles are one of the best Christmas gift ideas to give, especially for that person who has everything; they make the home smell great, add a cosy atmosphere, and are a luxurious treat that they probably wouldn’t buy themselves.

I’ve gone through hundreds of scented candles in my life and have dozens on standby – you could say I hoard them – and now, having burned all of my cosy autumn candles, I’m reaching for festive scents in the lead up to the big day and beyond; think notes of rich spices, fresh pine and seasonal citrus fruits, ideally housed in a jar that’s a little bit special or sparkly. Here’s my pick of the best Christmas candles for all budgets…

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11 best Christmas candles for 2025

Yankee Candle Holiday Winterfest Signature Large Jar

Currently £23.99 from Debenhams (usual price £29.99) – or £22.79 with the code BEAUTY5

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For value for money, you can’t go wrong with a Yankee Candle – and Debenhams is one of the best places to buy them at the moment, as they’re usually on sale. I don’t always love every single one they launch (some are very sweet, and some don’t throw out a lot of fragrance into the room), but Holiday Winterfest is my favourite from this year’s holiday collection; inspired by a ski lodge, it’s crisp, fresh and green with notes of pine, citrus and herbs.

NEOM Sparkling Joy Scented Candle (3 Wick)

£58 from NEOM

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NEOM’s candles are one of my top choices for giving as gifts: they look very chic, have fragrances made from essential oils rather than artificial ingredients and, I think, are good value for money for the amount of scent you get from them.

The spa-like Sparkling Joy is an energising and spicy blend of ginger, lime and vetiver, perfect for when the 3pm slump hits. This three wick-er has the wow factor, but there’s also a one-wick (£40) and travel candle (£21) in the Sparkling Joy range.

Diptyque Sapin Candle

£72 from Space NK

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Luxuriously packaged and with instantly recognisable fragrances, scented candles don’t come much better than Diptyque’s, and I defy you to find anyone who wouldn’t be blown away to receive this as a Christmas present. Sapin – a fresh, earthy, pine tree scent – is one of the brand’s most popular at Christmas every year, and you’ll smell it as soon as you open the box.

This year’s design is one of the best I’ve ever seen, in a dazzling gold and white jar that you’ll want to keep forever.

Yankee Candle Christmas 2024 Signature WOW Gift Set

Now £19.50 from Debenhams (usual price £50) – or £18.52 with the code BEAUTY5

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Another Yankee Candle idea, but here’s a way to get seven different ones for less than £20. My exact gift set pictured is no longer available but I’ve found an even better deal: this gift set usually costs £50 but is currently down to £18.52 at Debenhams when you use the code BEAUTY5. This means that each product inside – one medium jar, three filled votives and three wax melts – could technically be valued at £2.65. White Spruce & Grapefruit is a lovely fresh, zingy scent, while Black Cherry and Christmas Cookie are perfect for those who love gourmands.

The White Company Winter Mercury Luxury Candle

£40 from LookFantastic

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For a candle that looks as good as it smells, go for this chic White Company option (the one pictured here is the small votive, but it’s the 340g candle that’s still available. The strength of its scent is impressive, smelling exactly like mulled wine tastes: warming, spicy, lightly fruity. Once it’s burned down, clean it out and use it as a tea light holder.

M&S x Kelly HoppenChristmas Joy 2 Wick Jar Candle

£15 from Marks & Spencer

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One for lovers of interior design (and a great gift for men who like scented candles too), this two-wick candle from the high street store’s collab with Kelly Hoppen instantly adds a touch of cool to any indoor space, and looks much more expensive that it is.

The scent inside is an elegant yet undeniably Christmassy concoction of mulled spices, pine and cedarwood. Carefully remove the wax once it’s burned down and use the black and gold ceramic vessel as a trinket pot for years to come.

Liz Earle Bergamot & Cardamom Botanical Candle

Now £22.50 from Liz Earle (usual price £30)

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Want a candle that’ll see you through the festive period and into spring? This Liz Earle offering is the one for you. Its design is refreshingly spangle-free for a Christmas candle, and its subtle spicy scent smells as fresh as it does festive.

Space NK Shimmering Spice Scented Candle

£28 from Space NK

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High up on many a beauty editor’s Christmas wish list every year, Space NK’s stunning Shimmering Spice candle has acquired cult status with its notes of cinnamon, cedar and all spice, and this is 2025’s design. I think this 190g one wick-er is good value compared to many others, but it’s also available in 75g (£18) and 420g (£42).

Jo Malone London Pine & Eucalyptus Scented Candle

£59 from Lookfantastic

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Another gorgeous gift idea that’s guaranteed to delight, and a slightly cheaper option to the Diptyque one. Described by one customer as smelling like “a cold forest of Christmas trees covered in snow”, this subtle scent is an aromatic and green fragrance that brings the scent of the outdoors into your home.

WoodWick Sparkling Pomelo ScentedCandle

Now £19.99 from Amazon (usual price £29.99)

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Sister brand of Yankee’s, WoodWick candles feature the added excitement of a cracking wick, replicating the sound of a real log fire (just maybe don’t light it if you’re watching an especially quiet TV show!). This 2025 Christmas scent smells exactly like a glass of Buck’s fizz on Christmas morning, crisp and zingy.

Lords Abernethy Forest Winter 3 Wick Candle

£65 from Lords

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The Mirror examines the fiery family saga as their grand, festive wedding between Adam Peaty and Holly Ramsay approaches, which is set to overshadow their big day.

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Everything you need to know about Holly Ramsay and Adam Peaty’s wedding feud…

• On December 27, Holly Ramsay and Olympian Adam Peaty will tie the knot in Bath Abbey, followed by a lavish reception at Wiltshire’s Kin House. However, preparations reportedly fell flat due to a fiery family feud that is reflected in the gleaming Instagram photos.

Sources suggest the trouble started at the couple’s engagement party, which was held in London last December and was shot as Holly’s famous father, Gordon,’s flying-on-the-wall docuseries Being Gordon Ramsay. While Caroline Peaty, Adam’s mother, allegedly upset that some of her family members weren’t invited, she confronted chef Gordon at the event, it has been claimed that guests were asked to sign NDAs and hand over their phones.

• After Caroline, the mother of the groom, was absent from Holly Ramsay’s glamorous hen party at Soho Farmhouse, the brewing conflict broke out in the media and caused Louise Williams, Adam’s aunt, to publicly criticize Holly and Adam on social media for the “hurt” they caused.

• Later, it was revealed that Caroline had been “heartbroken” after allegedly being “banned” from the grand wedding. Aunt Louise claims that Caroline was prevented from attending the wedding by Adam and Holly because she had to cancel a recent family trip to Bath due to train cancellations. Additionally, it is reported that Adam Peaty, a gold medalist, has forbade his mother from seeing her five-year-old grandson, George, to further aggravate the family’s tumult.

• Due to this ongoing row and the alleged high cost of travel and lodging, Adam’s sister Bethany is reportedly the only Peaty side family member to be present at the lavish wedding.

• After Adam’s stag do in Budapest, the swimmer allegedly received “increasingly abusive and threatening” text messages, which allegedly caused Holly to call the police. James Peaty, Adam’s older brother, was arrested and later released on bail as a result of this. Officers at Manchester Airport met Adams as well, apparently out of concern for his safety, on the runway.

• Caroline has continued to share heartfelt quotes about “a broken heart” on social media, which are thought to be a reference to the ongoing family saga. When your mouth can’t express how broken your heart is, she said in a post that read, “Crying is a way your eyes can speak.”

• Adam broke his silence by expressing on Instagram that they were going through “challenging times” while reiterating that “every story has two sides.” Adam, who backed his wife Holly and his sister Bethany in the post, claimed that he was unable to provide full information as a result of an “ongoing police investigation into serious matters that arose long before recent events.”

• Gordon, Adam’s future father-in-law, has previously expressed his admiration for their son-in-law, saying that they “couldn’t ask for anything better.” He continued, “He’s so grounded. They get along so well. It is a blessing.

Bride-to-be Holly appears to be “hell-bent on enjoying her big day” as the December countdown rolls by posting racy images in an ostensibly defiant Instagram post with the caption “iiit’s Wedding Month.” Holly appears carefree in the post wearing a brief set and a Victoria’s Secret bralette, which is finished off with a floor-length veil. This pose [Adam] seems to send a powerful message to them that this is their day and nobody will let go of it, according to body language expert Judi James.

Marks & Spencer and Ian Wright have collaborated to select his best Christmas gift suggestions, including a “simple and classic” waterproof jacket that costs less than £100.

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Now we’re into December, Christmas Day suddenly seems a whole lot closer, which means the pressure is officially on to get your Christmas shopping done. If you’re in need of some inspiration, especially for the men in your life (who can be notoriously tricky to shop for) then Marks & Spencer is here to save the day.

For everyone on your list, the high street favorite has teamed up with football legend Ian Wright to release his new gift edit. It’s a great place to pick up your gifts, with great gift suggestions for men and Ian’s favorites for giving them to the rest of the family as well.

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Speaking about the collaboration, Ian Wright said: “I love Christmas, and it’s been pure joy putting together a few of my favourite gift ideas with the lovely people at M&S. Everything in there is simple and classic, and I hope it helps people find the right thing for everyone on their list.”

The Shirt Collar Mac with Removable Bib, a must-have for this time of year, is one of our favorites from Ian’s gift edit. The jacket costs $99 and is ideal for partners, brothers, and dads; it’s the ideal gift for everyone. It’s both stylish and timeless while still being practical.

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Anyone who enjoys outdoor activities and wants to wear something stylish on a gloomy commute to the office can wear it in four colors and sizes from small to XL.

The Shirt Collar Mac with Removable Bib received glowing reviews from customers who praised it as “best for this weather” and “waterproof.”

Another person said, “You can dress it up, dress it down, looks great.” It’s cozy, cozy, and fashionable. Excellent value, but I also received a 20% discount as well!

The only negative review was that it “ordered two coats because M&amp and S are inconsistent with their sizes.” The sleeves were short and the first coat was snug under the arms and across the shoulders. Both XXL and XXL had the same second coat. This appears to be happening in men’s clothing constantly.

Other excellent options include the Removable Lining version of the Hawes &amp, Curtis’ Navy Rain Mac, which costs more at £219. The French Connection Mens Zip Puffer Jacket is currently at a significant discount at MandM, going from £179.99 to £39.99.

Items from Ian’s campaign video for the edit, including a £99 Pure Cashmere Crew Neck Jumper, would make another wonderful present for the men in your life. It’s cozy and sophisticated, perfect for the holiday season, made entirely of cashmere.

The Fair Isle Scarf is another top pick from Ian’s for something a little bit more affordable or as a great stocking filler. Its navy and red winter wardrobe has a classic fair isle print, and it’s a little bit of the slopes.

Which star would you like to win this year’s I’m A Celeb, as we approach the final?

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After I’m A Celeb said goodbye to its third star, we want to know who you want to be crowned king or queen of the jungle. The winner will become the new reigning champ after McFly singer Danny Jones took home the crown last year.

As we approach the final week of I’m A Celebrity… Get Me Out Of Here! Vogue Williams has been evicted from camp, following Eddie Kadi and Alex Scott in leaving the Jungle and crossing the iconic bridge back to reality.

This comes after Vogue bickered with Angry Ginge over the washing up. He said people should use containers to use less cups, and she responded: “People have the right to have a clean bowl in the morning and a clean whatever they want in the afternoon and a clean one in the evening.” If you can’t see the poll, click here.

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After leaving, she later told Ant and Dec that she thought some people weren’t pulling their weight in the camp and that she didn’t understand “cupgate,” where you wash up containers and can wash cups as well.

Fans of I’m A Celeb were also fed up with Angry Ginge and Aitch for complaining about the washing machine. One person said, “Ginge talking about a potential victory here. attempting to appear workhy and wingebag.

Another added, “Ginge and Aitch can’t do any wrong because they’re in the jungle, so wouldn’t keeping the same utensils be unhygienic”? It might be difficult to keep track of what insects will land on it, and who knows what will happen. None of the other dishwashers expressed any complaints.”

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Some praised Vogue for her time spent in camp, one of the late arrivals along with Tom Read Wilson. The trial with the balls trying to knock her over will be Vogue’s most cherished memory, according to one fan. She received 11 stars for her physical condition. Respect”.

Eddie Kadi and Alex Scott leave the jungle in style on Vogue. Some fans were surprised by this because Eddie and Alex weren’t always fans’ favorites, but neither one of them was.

During the show this year, fans have accused Jack Osbourne of ‘bullying’ Ruby Wax, and others, including Alison Hammond, have said they feel his erratic and intense behaviour is a sign that it is too soon for him to be on the show.

On I’m a Celeb, Jack recently discussed the loss of his father, Ozzy Osbourne. Ozzy had a heart attack earlier this year, and he passed away. The Black Sabbath singer’s final performance was only a few minutes away.

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Kelly Brook and Martin Kemp are regarded as the least likely candidates to take the role of King or Queen of the Jungle this year now that Vogue has left.

Another star will be walking across the iconic bridge again tonight and, with just days to go until the series 25 winner is crowned, we want to know who you think should be King or Queen of the jungle. Vote in our poll to have your say in the comments below.

One pleased customer said: “It’s warm, cosy and smart and at only £70 is terrific value for money. This will be a wardrobe staple for many a year I’m sure.”

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Meghan Markle’s winter wardrobe has long been coveted by fashion fans, with her polished style frequently documented at public appearances and events. Those looking to recreate the Duchess of Sussex’s look without the designer price tag are in luck, because I’ve found a high-street piece that is perfect for replicating her elegant style on a budget.

The Darted Revere Collar Longline Coat, from Marks and Spencer, bears striking resemblance to a formal camel coat worn by Meghan back in January 2020 for a visit to Canada House. Meghan’s exact ‘Sable’ coat came from high-end fashion brand Reiss and would have cost hundreds of pounds – but M&S’ take on the outerwear number is priced at a much more affordable £70.

A longline coat is a timeless wardrobe staple, said to bring ‘understated style’ to a wardrobe. They’re ideal for those dressier occasions when a puffer coat simply won’t do, with fans of the jacket saying it ‘looks and feels more expensive’ than its price tag.

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Cut in a regular fit, it features a smart revere collar, two waist flap pockets – just like Meghan’s Reiss number – and front darts to ‘create a flattering shape’. Available in sizes six to 24, it comes in petite and regular lengths, though taller shoppers may be disappointed it doesn’t come in a longer version, too.

Coming in a neutral ‘caramel’ tone, the jacket will pair beautifully with almost anything, whether it’s jeans and a jumper for a weekend coffee date, or over a festive party outfit. This style of jacket is immensely popular year on year, which means they’re never in short supply on the high street, either.

Darted Revere Collar Longline Coat

£70

Buy here

At New Look, their Camel Single Button Lined Coat has been reduced from £50 to £35, providing a purse-friendly outerwear option. One shopper said of the jacket: “It was a really nicely made coat, with full lining, but the fabric was heavier than I wanted. Nice and warm if that’s what you are looking for.”

Meanwhile, with chocolate brown being one of the major colour trends this season, there’s the Chocolate Brown Formal Funnel Neck Coat at Next for £88. It features a funnel neck, a button-through fastening, and a belted waist, creating a smart and timeless silhouette that’s perfect for formal occasions.

Back at M&S, many have praised the ‘slimming’, ‘cosy and smart’ coat. It earned a 4.4 star-rating based on over 60 reviews, one of which read: “Lovely coat, exact colour I wanted, looks and feels more expensive.”

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One fashion fan loving all the brown shades this season added: “I am very into browns, camels and all shades of brown this year so bought this to go with skirts and trousers.”

“I’ve been looking for a smart winter coat for ages,” said another. “I’m only 5′ tall and every coat I tried just swamped me. This coat, in petite, is a perfect length, it’s warm, cosy and smart and at only £70 is terrific value for money. This will be a wardrobe staple for many a year I’m sure.”

Many shoppers, however, have complained about the coat’s popper-style fastening as opposed to traditional buttons. One said: “Although I dislike the stud fastenings, the overall fit and quality are excellent.”

“Have been looking for a camel coat for while this one fits the bill perfectly the only criticism is the poppers would have preferred buttons,” said another.

Sean Combs: The Reckoning, a jaw-dropping P Diddy documentary produced by 50 Cent, the rapper’s archrival, premieres on Netflix today.

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Bad boy star, P Diddy’s rise from millionaire music mogul to fallen felon is nothing short of jaw-dropping. The hugely successful music producer, 56, had the world at his feet until it all came crashing down last year when his ex, Cassie, filed a sexual assault law suit against him

In October, Diddy, real name Sean Combs, was sentenced to 50 months behind bars after being found guilty of federal prosecution charges. He is now serving time in New Jersey’s Fort Dix prison – a far cry from the mega mansions he has spent more than half of his life in.

Today, a bombshell documentary about the rapper drops on Netflix. Sean Combs: The Reckoning, which is produced by Diddy’s long-time foe, 50 Cent, promises to explore the both the rise and fall of the star, whose life is looking very different now…

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Steel beds, a thin mattress, and “paranoia” are what put people in jail.

Diddy was languishing while on trial at the reported rat-infested Metropolitan Detention Centre, but he is still a million miles away from his home comforts.

Combs’s recent appearance as a sleeping companion on a steel bed with a thin mattress is a stark reminder of how far the father-of-seven has come from his former life of attentive staff, Michelin-starred chefs, and lavish accommodations abroad.

Since being imprisoned, Diddy has also been reported to have had paranoia. His early apprehensions about eating jail food and his belief that he couldn’t trust other lags were well documented.

He is currently incarcerated in a federal prison, but his new home, reportedly not easing the psychological strain, is still there. This is a common placement for high-profile inmates and those at risk.

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adjusting to a new routine

Diddy appears to be settling into a regular work schedule despite making a significant lifestyle change. Combs is finishing his shift at the prison’s media library, which is located in the chapel, according to TMZ’s footage.

His alleged responsibilities include distributing religious material and films to fellow prisoners, which keeps him in regular contact with the compound’s residents.

He reportedly helped organize a Thanksgiving lunch for his fellow lags, according to reports, with a photo of the star with his new pals last week in the prison yard that clearly showed his hair as being clearly gray.

Donald Trump’s defense

Combs’ legal team confirmed to CNN that they have reached out to president Donald Trump to explore a pardon for the disgraced rapper.

It appears that we have spoken and exchanged information regarding a pardon, according to his attorney, Nicole Westmoreland.

Trump did acknowledge that he had received the request, but he made it clear that he was not interested in releasing the Bad Boy star, citing the gloomy relationship they had after their 2020 presidential campaign.

Trump remarked to Newsmax that “when I ran for office, he was very hostile,” adding that the perception of pardons frequently comes down to personal history.

We’re people, he said clumsily, “We’re human.” We dislike having our judgment be influenced by circumstances. Trump has stated on numerous occasions that he only grants pardons when he believes a person was “mistreated” within the legal system.

Diddy’s release date is when?

Combs will have years of the same rigid routine ahead of him as the federal records indicate that his earliest possible release date is June 4th, 2028. His hysterical lawyers are, of course, trying to make this happen quickly, with some claiming that he might be freed next year.

However, good conduct and successful prison programs are both essential for a premature release, neither of which can significantly shorten the sentence. The rapper’s release may be delayed by ongoing investigations into allegations made against him.

Diddy must now prepare for Fort Dix’s daily grind, which is a far cry from the epic empire he once held.