Article: MerryMint Is Back: Our Peppermint Candle Returns for Christmas
MerryMint Is Back: Our Peppermint Candle Returns for Christmas
Every year, some of you email us the same question: is MerryMint coming back for the holidays? This year, the answer is yes. MerryMint, our peppermint candle, is back as the only scent in our Christmas collection, with a reworked blend and a new look.
It took longer than we planned. We wanted to get it right before we brought it back, and that meant going back to the very first thing people said about it. Here is what changed, what is in the jar, and why it took us a year to get here.
Why MerryMint Took a Year to Come Back
We first launched MerryMint in 2023. Since then, we have collected a lot of feedback. The main note, and one we felt ourselves, was that something was missing: the cool, crunchy, minty feeling of a real candy cane.
The obvious fix would have been more peppermint. But peppermint is a strong note. Add too much, and it takes over the whole candle. You lose the sweetness, the warmth and everything else that makes it feel like a treat rather than a tin of mints.
So we went back to work. We spent about a year adjusting the blend. When it finally felt as close as possible to the real candy, we stopped adjusting.
A Candy Cane Candle, Not Just a Peppermint Candle
If you are wondering whether MerryMint is a straight peppermint candle, it is not. A candy cane is mint and sugar together, and that sweetness is part of what makes it feel like a holiday treat. MerryMint uses four notes to get there:
- Peppermint gives it the familiar candy cane feeling. Its cool character comes largely from menthol, the same compound behind the cool bite of a real candy cane.
- Orange and bergamot add a bright citrus touch that balances the sweetness.
- Vanilla brings a soft, cozy sweetness, the sugary side of the candy.
Together, they make a sweet candy cane scent with a cool peppermint rush and a little warmth underneath.
How the Notes Work Together
Each note in a scent blend evaporates at its own pace, and that shapes what you notice and when. Citrus oils like orange and bergamot are rich in limonene, one of the lighter, more volatile aromatic compounds. That is why citrus tends to be the bright, lifted part of a blend.
Peppermint sits in the middle. Menthol gives it presence without the heaviness of a deeper note, so the cool candy cane feeling stays clear.
Vanilla is the anchor. Its main aromatic compound, vanillin, is much less volatile, so it lingers and rounds out the edges of the brighter notes. In MerryMint, it is what keeps the peppermint from feeling sharp and gives the blend its sugary, candy-like finish.
What Is in the Jar
Our ingredient list names each component. MerryMint is made with:
- American beeswax from multigenerational American beekeepers
- Non-GMO coconut oil, which helps the scent disperse smoothly
- Plant-based oils: peppermint, orange, bergamot and vanilla
The full list on the listing also names linalool and benzyl benzoate, two naturally derived aromatic compounds. Linalool occurs naturally in bergamot and many other plants.
Curious how plant-based oils scent a beeswax candle? We explain it in Beeswax Essential Oil Candles: What Actually Makes Them Smell?
A New Look for This Year
MerryMint also has a new design: a candy cane label and a green Living Good gift box, so it arrives ready to give. If you are sending it straight to someone else, there is no extra wrapping needed.
Size, Burn Time and Scent Strength
MerryMint comes in our 15 oz three-wick jar with up to 90 hours of burn time. The wicks are cotton, lead-free and zinc-free. We tested its scent in a room of about 1,000 sq ft.
Beeswax burns slowly, so the scent builds gently. It starts close to the candle and becomes more noticeable as it burns. On the first burn, let the melted wax reach the edges of the jar. How Long Do Beeswax Candles Burn? explains why.
When it is finished, the jar can be refilled with our eco candle making kit.
Getting the Most From Your MerryMint
A three-wick beeswax candle rewards a little patience, especially at the start.
- Give the first burn time. Let it burn for about 3 to 4 hours, until the melted wax reaches the edges of the jar. This sets an even melt pool for every burn after it.
- Burn it away from drafts. A fan, an open window or a heating vent can make the flames flicker and the wax melt unevenly.
- Let the scent build. Beeswax releases scent gradually, so give it a little time before judging how much it fills the room.
Where to Burn MerryMint
Because it was tested in a room of about 1,000 sq ft, MerryMint works well in the bigger, shared spaces of a home during the holidays:
- The living room, while you decorate the tree or wrap gifts
- An open kitchen, during a long afternoon of holiday baking
- The entryway, so guests are greeted by it as they come in
Three wicks create a wide melt pool, which helps the scent spread across a larger room. If you are deciding between sizes for a space, One Wick or Three? walks through how wick count changes the burn.
Pairing MerryMint in a Bundle
MerryMint is $42, and it is now one of the options in our 15 oz Mix and Match Bundle, where you choose any three 15 oz candles and get free shipping. Pair it with a scent you already love, try one you have been curious about, or choose a few with your favorite people in mind.
If you want a holiday trio, a few combinations work well together. Into the Forest brings a woodsy pine note. Cinnamon Roll adds warm, bakery-style comfort. Together with MerryMint, they cover the tree, the kitchen and the candy dish.
MerryMint FAQ
Is MerryMint the same candle as in 2023?
No. We reworked the blend over about a year to capture the cool, crunchy feeling of a real candy cane. The notes are now peppermint, orange, bergamot and vanilla.
Does MerryMint smell only like peppermint?
No. Peppermint leads, but orange and bergamot add brightness and vanilla adds sweetness, so it reads as a candy cane rather than a straight mint.
What size is MerryMint?
Right now, MerryMint comes in our 15 oz three-wick jar only, with up to 90 hours of burn time.
How strong is the scent?
We tested MerryMint in a room of about 1,000 sq ft. Because beeswax burns slowly, the scent builds gradually rather than all at once, so it fills the room without taking over.
Can I reuse the jar?
Yes. Once the candle is finished, you can refill the jar with our eco candle making kit instead of throwing it away.
Is it ready to give as a gift?
Yes. It comes in a green Living Good gift box, ready to give as it is.
A Christmas Candle to Keep or to Give
Looking for more ideas? See our Christmas gift guide, or our guide to bringing a candle as a hostess gift.
Keeping MerryMint for yourself and gifting the others? We understand.
