For the third year, Trader Joe's 12 Days of Candles is back on store shelves. This year the packaging changed as did all of the candles in it. While pricey compared to most items on the shelf, there are 12 candles. that are super on-brand for Trader Joe's.
Trader Joe’s 12 Days of Candles offers a delightful countdown to the holidays with 12 2.5 ounce unique, mini-sized candles, each with a different Trader Joe's product inspired scent. Packaged in an advent calendar-style box, this set allows you to enjoy a new festive fragrance each day. Each candle is crafted with soy wax, ensuring a clean burn and long-lasting scent.
This candle set is perfect for adding a cozy ambiance to your home during the holiday season or gifting to candle lovers who appreciate a variety of fragrances. Each candle burns for several hours, making them ideal for sampling new scents without committing to a full-sized candle.
Review of Trader Joe’s 12 Days of Candles
Fragrance Variety
Trader Joe’s delivers on variety with this set. Each candle is individually crafted with a unique Trader Joe's fan-favorite product-inspired scent, including everything from Cold Brew to Cookie Butter to more unexpected fragrances like Jalapeno Limeade and Yuzu Hot Sauce. The variety makes it exciting to try a new scent every day, and there’s something to suit every Trader Joe's fan's preference.
Candle Quality and Burn Time
Each candle is made with soy wax, which burns cleanly and holds the fragrance well. I found the burn time to be around 5-6 hours per candle, giving you plenty of time to enjoy each scent without overwhelming a room. The throw of each candle is moderate—not too overpowering but strong enough to create a noticeable ambiance.
These candles are small but pack a nice scent punch, perfect for smaller spaces or adding a hint of holiday cheer to your office, bedroom, or bathroom. If you’re a fan of sampling scents, this set is a great way to explore Trader Joe’s candle collection.
Spoiler Alert- For those of you who want to know what you are getting
The following is a breakdown of all the on-brand candles, specifically those with Trader Joe's inspired scents from the products we know and love. While none of these scents have been sold individually (as of the posting of this review), the products they have selected are well-regarded items. The links below are to the original product they are trying to replicate in candle form.
- Scent #1- Scandinavian Swimmers
- Scent #2-Sweet Nectarines
- Scent #3-Jalapeno Limeade
- Scent #4- Yuzu Hot Sauce
- Scent #5- Candy Cane.Joe Joe's
- Scent #6- Blueberry Waffles
- Scent #7- Tea Tree Tingle
- Scent #8-Watemelon Cucumber Cooler
- Scent #9- Cacay Oil Body Butter
- Scent #10- Cold Brew
- Scent #11- Cookie Butter
- Scent #12- Coconut Body Butter
Overall, the fragrances are more mellow than expected but do smell like the product they say they are (minus the spice for the two spicy candles).
Some details from the side of the box about this product:
FAQs about Trader Joe's 12 Days of Candles
Below is a list of frequently asked questions about this product:
Each candle is a mini size, approximately 2.5 oz, designed to burn for around 5-6 hours, making them perfect for sampling.
Yes, these candles are made from soy wax, known for its clean burn and eco-friendliness, though always check the label for any additional ingredients.
The scent throw is moderate, which means the fragrance is noticeable without being overwhelming.
Absolutely! The advent-style packaging makes it a fantastic gift option for the holidays, perfect for anyone who enjoys candles or seasonal fragrances.
Final Thoughts on Trader Joe’s 12 Days of Candles
Trader Joe’s 12 Days of Candles is a festive and fun way to enjoy Trader Joe's 's-inspired scents. With a wide variety of fragrances, this set lets you sample a new scent every day, making it perfect for those who love trying different candles or want to add a cozy touch to their holiday decor. The soy wax offers a clean burn, and each mini candle delivers a moderate scent that’s ideal for smaller spaces.
At $29.99, this set is a great value, especially if you’re looking for a holiday gift or just want to treat yourself to a unique candle experience. Whether you’re enjoying them yourself or gifting them, Trader Joe’s 12 Days of Candles adds a bit of holiday magic to every day. This was probably the most on-brand product I've seen in a while, and I'm glad they didn't stick to traditional scents this year. Good purchase for the candle lover in your life. Hopefully, we will get some of these available during the year.
The scents are medium with a couple of them being more faint (cacay and cucumber watermelon). Only cookie butter was a little off from what I was expecting. But just note that some of my candles were a little difficult to open. Perhaps it was my box, but these were a little challenging to open at times.
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Trader Joe's 12 Days of Candles
Product Name: Trader Joe's 12 Days of Candles
Product Description: 12 Trader Joe's inspired product scented candles.
Price: $29.99
Summary
While Trader Joe's 12 Days of Candles is returning, it comes back this year not with traditional scents, but with those only true Trader Joe's fans would appreciate.
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Value
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Worthy of Repurchasing
Pros
- Variety of Scents: A great selection of festive scents to keep things interesting.
- Clean Burn: Made from soy wax, these candles burn cleanly without producing much soot.
- Gift-Ready: Advent calendar-style packaging makes it perfect for holiday gifting.
- Affordable: For $29.99, you get 12 mini candles, a good value for the variety offered.
Cons
- Small Size: Each candle is only 2.5 oz, so they don’t last as long as full-sized candles.
- Moderate Scent Throw: While pleasant, the fragrance may not fill larger rooms as strongly as a full-sized candle.
- Price: At $29.99 this is a pricey item for Trader Joe's shelves
- Lack of availability: This set is only around a short while and I haven't seen any of these fragrances on shelves as of the posting of this review.
I'd love to hear what you think! Leave a comment below and share your thoughts.