Christmas is fast approaching, and I am sure that like me you are looking forward to family time (endlessly debating life which is ever more poignant as our adult kids have their own versions), relaxing and time off from work, guiltfree eating and drinking and of course Christmas carols! But before we can do any of that there is the mammoth task of Christmas presents.

Candles are one of my favourite indulgences which I thoroughly enjoy sharing at Christmas.  Candles transcend me into a sensory world of imagination and promise and I never seem to have enough as new aromas become available.  However, I have found that not all candles are created equal and I hope that my testing and trials can save you some money because you definitely get what you pay for in terms of smell and longevity.

I learnt a trick or two from a friend who owns a candle factory and discovered that cheaper candles run out of smell once they start burning because the essential oils are only on the surface.  In the case of higher quality candles, the aromas penetrate deeper as each layer of the wax is built up over a period of time and essences added at each stage.  The quality of the essential oils are more concentrated and lingers in the home, in fact you can smell the candles even when they are not burning.  Avoid candles with mineral wax, artificial ingredients or petrochemicals – you will notice the unpleasant black trail of smoke it leaves when it burns and of course not all candles that are over £30 for a single wick are worth it.

My two favourites brands are Neom and Jo Malone.

I love the ethics of the Neom brand, and having founded a natural beauty brand, I respect any person that gives it a go!  This natural organic brand focuses on Wellbeing, reducing stress and making time for yourself.  My ‘go to’ smell this time of the year is ‘Christmas Wish’ and the smell of Tonko bean, Cinnamon and Mandarin permeates the whole house making it smell really really Christmassy while still being sustainable – what is there not to love…

If you love roses (and which woman doesn’t…), then Jo Malone ‘Red Roses’ is heaven for your senses – it is exquisite and romantic and makes me feel like I am back in the Rose Boutique at Hotel Costes in Rue Saint-Honoré, Paris.

When you feel stressed and those pesky moody hormones are playing havoc with your mind and body, light a candle, breathe in slowly and let your hypothalamus controlling your emotions do the job of relaxing you.