FYI: Clintons have started to stock the Yankee Halloween collection...

I went into my local branch of Clinton's today to buy the Twisted Peppermint jar candle, but I noticed a new small display table piled with Yankee Halloween candles.

So I naturally forgot about my original mission and bought some of the Halloween ones instead...

FYI: Clintons have started to stock the Yankee Christmas candlecollection...

I popped into my local branch of Clinton's the other day where I noticed a new small display table piled with Yankee candles, including many Christmas ones, plus two Christmas gift sets.

My local store is small so there weren't many candle sizes there for their Christmas scents for me to choose from; either large jar candles or 12 packs of their tea lights for the older fragrances. They also had the jars of two of the new Christmas 2014 fragrances - Icicles and Twisted Peppermint - in stock. Considering that the official Yankee website hasn't yet listed the new fragrances, I was pleasantly surprised to find them. 

The new Christmas fragrances for 2014 by Yankee Candles...

I was looking for some information on the Christmas 2014 range by Yankee Candles for a blog post I'm in the middle of writing, and I found that you can now order them online in the UK.

Spooky yum-yum: Spooky fragranced candle by Lily flame...

Lily-Flame SPOOK candle is a new release, and is described as using scent notes of fudge, toffee apples and tray bakes. To me it smells like vanilla cupcake, with a rich caramel overtone. The vanilla cupcake/cookie note is strong enough to carry whilst the candle is unlit. The blend is comforting and sweet, but it's not too sweet or sickly. I love the fragrance, and it is something that I'll use all year round, not just during the Halloween run-up.



The entirety of the candle wax is perfumed, so the fragrance lasts as long as the candle does, and I can also catch occasional wafts of the perfume whilst the candle is unlit.

If I had to give a negative comment to the makers of SPOOK, it would be that SPOOK is not, umm, spooky. I'd expected some seasonal blooms or patchouli in the mix, to give the fragrance a seasonal air. So, yeah, even though I do love this candle and will buy it again, I was a tad disappointed too.

You can buy SPOOK from Amazon for £8.99

A coffee break with Yankee: Vanilla Chai candles...

As you can see, the fragrance of the new for autumn 2013 Vanilla Chai candle is described as "the perfect accompaniment to "me" time - a supremely satisfyingly rich and spicy recipe of ginger, cinnamon and vanilla." There's nothing that I can add to that - thee fragrance fits the description exactly.

Go to Paradise with Yankee; Paradise spice candles.

 

 

 

 

PARADISE SPICE is one of Yankee's five new spring 2013 fragrances, and is described as "an exotic island treasure...perfectly ripe banana and creamy vanilla, unexpectedly spiced with prized cinnamon and cloves". There's not much more that I can add to that, just that the spices are very mild and the banana is stronger then the vanilla, so the fragrance isn't too sweet and cloying.

As with all Yankee candles, the entirety of the wax is perfumed; I've used some candles where the fragrance burns up before the candle does, but that is not the case here. The fragrance lasts as long as the candle does and is strong enough to travel over the house. I even catch occasional wafts of the perfume whilst the candle is unlit. I've found that the tarts and tea lights throw off a stronger scent than the candles, so I think that they are the better buys.

       

It's beginning to smell a lot like Christmas... Sparkling Snow by Yankee Candles

SPARKLING SNOW is one of Yankee Candles 'Festive Collection' fragrances and is officially described as "the crisp, naturally fresh scent of gleaming, snow-covered pines with hints of patchouli and fruit". I'd describe it as fresh mint and pine, with a undertone of patchouli, for a earthy bite. I'm not sure what the fruit is - sometimes I get a light breeze of what I think is cherry, but it is so faint that I can't be sure.

An apple a day... Sugared Apple candles by Yankee.

SUGARED APPLE is one of Yankee Candles four [for the UK] new Christmas 2012 fragrances and is officially described as "A deliciously sweet apple treat . . . a perfect recipe of juicy apples sprinkled with sugar and vanilla". There's not much else to say, except that there is more sugar and vanilla then apple. I do enjoy the fragrance as it manages to be a perfect balance between sweet and fresh, but it's not something I think of as being overly Christmassy; it is more of a everyday fragrance for autumn/winter.

As with all Yankee candles, the entirety of the wax is perfumed; I've used some candles where the fragrance burns up before the candle does, but that is not the case here. I don't regret buying my box of tealights, but I don't think I'd buy this particular fragrance again; the scent is quiet and the throw is pretty poor by Yankee's usual standards. It's not a bad candle overall, but it doesn't wow me either.

I personally prefer to use the Yankee tealights; as well as having a stronger fragrance, there's the fact that for the price of a box of 12 scented tealights you get a total of 48 to 72 hours burn-time, so they offer the most value for money. The tealight costs less then 12 tarts or samplers would, so as well as being cheaper - and offering a similar burn time - then either the small jars and tumblers, and over half of the price less then the medium jars or tumblers.

The tealights come in individual clear plastic cups, so you don't have to bother with a tealight holder if you don't have one; just sit the cup on a saucer. Yankee do many special ranges of tealight holders all through the year - many of the decorate models are under £10, and their basic tealight holder can be found online for only £1, so it won't cost as much as buying a tart burner.

And for a final stab at a selling point, I'll add that the tealights float, so you can, umm, float them in your swimming pool - or more likely in a garden pond - during a party.


***

Tart
[A tart is a wickless wax patty, so you'll need to buy a tart burner to be able to use it]
6 - 8 hour burn time - £1.20
Sampler votive
15 - 20 hour burn time - £1.65
Small jar
25 -40 hour burn time - £7.75
Medium jar
65 - 90 hour burn time - £15.99
Tea lights [12 per pack]
4 - 6 hour burn time per candle - £6.99

Snow angels; Cherries On Snow scented candles by Yankee Candle

Rating: 5/5 stars

CHERRIES ON SNOW is one of the fragrances in the Yankee Candle Festive Collection and is officially described as being "An enchanted, sparkling blend of bright, juicy cherries with sweet almonds and an icy freshness". The description is accurate; CHERRIES ON SNOW combines the iciness of peppermint, with the freshness of juicy cherries. This is then warmed up with a sweet, soft and creamy almond and vanilla undertone - I could eat this candle.

I've found that the tarts and tea lights throw off a stronger scent than the candles, so I think that they are the better buys.


As with all Yankee candles, the entirety of the wax is perfumed; I've used some candles where the fragrance burns up before the candle does, but that is not the case here. The fragrance lasts as long as the candle does and is strong enough to travel over the house. I even catch occasional wafts of the perfume whilst the candle is unlit.

Walking in a winter wonderland: Yankee Candle in Winter Wonderland...

❄❄❄❄❄/❄❄❄❄❄

Advantages: Unique fragrance with good throw, that you're not just limited to December for use,Disadvantages: availability.

   

I'm Snow In Love with this fragrance...

SNOW IN LOVE is one of Yankee Candles four new Christmas 2012 fragrances and is officially described as being "creamy, comforting woods and wintry powder freshness." I'd describe it as clean minty air, tart cherries and as having some fresher wood, probably pine, mixed in with a touch of creamier sandalwood. It is a mix of Yankee's Cherries In The Snow and Sparkling Snow fragrances, so if you like those you'll be pleased with this too.

I love the fragrance as it manages to be a perfect balance between sweet and fresh, plus it's a bit festive, but yet it's not something I think of as being overly Christmassy; it is more of a everyday fragrance for autumn/winter, so you can use it now and on into the new year. As with all Yankee candles, the entirety of the wax is perfumed; I've used some candles where the fragrance burns up before the candle does, but that is not the case here. The fragrance lasts as long as the candle does and is strong enough to travel over the house. I even catch occasional wafts of the perfume whilst the candle is unlit.

I've found that the tarts and tea lights throw off a stronger scent than the candles, so I think that they are the better buys.


I personally prefer to use the tealights; as well as having a stronger fragrance, there's the fact that for the price of a box of 12 scented tealights you get a total of 48 to 72 hours burn-time, so they offer the most value for money. The tealight costs less then 12 tarts or samplers would, so as well as being cheaper - and offering a similar burn time - then either the small jars and tumblers, and over half of the price less then the medium jars or tumblers.

The tealights come in individual clear plastic cups, so you don't have to bother with a tealight holder if you don't have one; just sit the cup on a saucer. Yankee do many special ranges of tealight holders all through the year - many of the decorate models are under £10, and their basic tealight holder can be found online for only £1, so it won't cost as much as buying a tart burner.

And for a final stab at a selling point, I'll add that the tealights float, so you can, umm, float them in your swimming pool - or more likely in a garden pond - during a party.


***

Tart
[A tart is a wickless wax patty, so you'll need to buy a tart burner to be able to use it]
6 - 8 hour burn time - £1.20
Sampler votive
15 - 20 hour burn time - £1.65
Small jar
25 -40 hour burn time - £7.75
Medium jar
65 - 90 hour burn time - £15.99
Tea lights [12 per pack]
4 - 6 hour burn time per candle - £6.99

Meet inchy; when lacking inches is good...

Yankee Candles bring out various limited edition holiday accessory ranges every year, with each collection featuring new designs - no repeats. Halloween gets a whopping seven ranges; Boney Bunch, Skeleton Crew, Black Cats & Witch's Spell, Haunted Happenings, Pumpkin Patch, Pumpkin Crackle and Creepy Crawlies.

This particular design is from Yankee's 2011 'Creepy Crawlies' Halloween collection - as the Yankee accessories aren't as widely available in the UK, you can still find certain designs for sale on selected websites.

I'm ready for Halloween...

I bought my Yankee candles for this Halloween from Amazon in August, as the remaining stock is low and who can be sure that they'll be restocked? The boxes of tealights cost £6.25 each.

witches Brew scented candle by Yankee...

☪☪☪☪☪/☪☪☪☪☪
Advantages: Fragrance fits the holiday, reasonable price, range of sizes,
Disadvantages: limited availability.

It's that time of year again; I just love burning scented candles during the grey, rainy and cold autumn/winter months...

Candy Corn scented candle by Yankee Candles...

Candy Corn is a tri-coloured [yellow, orange and white] American candy made from corn syrup, marshmallow and fondant. It is sold all year round in America and Canada, but is especially popular in autumn and has become a sort of mascot for Halloween. The Yankee candle version of CANDY CORN is therefore unsurprisingly very sweet, so be warned.

Scent-wise there's not really much to say. if you love benzoin, you'll want to eat this candle. All the classic benzoin hallmarks are here; vanilla, burnt sugar, slightly buttery notes, with a faint almond-cherry undertone.

There is extra vanilla in the fragrance, to mimic the marshmallow, and there is also a pinch of what I think is nutmeg, possibly cinnamon, underneath everything else to give everything a bit of a kick.

As with all Yankee candles, the entirety of the wax is perfumed; I've used some candles where the fragrance burns up before the candle does, but that is not the case here. The fragrance lasts as long as the candle does and I even catch occasional wafts of the perfume whilst the candle is unlit.
☽☽☽☽/☽☽☽☽☽

To sum up the scent; I really enjoy using the CANY CORN scented candle and will be buying more while I still can, this is second only to Christmas Cupcake on my favourite Yankee candle list.

However; we Brits don't have the same connections between candy corn sweets and Halloween, so this is not a fragrance that says "Halloween is almost here." I'll be using CANDY CORN again, but I see it as a all-year round fragrance, rather then a seasonal special.


I mainly use my candles in my bedroom for a few hours in the evenings. A single Yankee votive sampler will last about one week in total. so seven days, with two to three hours per use mains each one has a burning time of between roughly fourteen to sixteen hours. Very good for £1.65.