Village Candle Balsam Fir Review: A Tree Lot in a Jar?
Evergreen, bergamot and fresh balsam in a large green apothecary jar. The tree candle in this guide with the longest review history, at a stocking price.
Yes, for a home with an artificial tree that misses the smell of a real one. It is green and fresh rather than sweet, and the large jar gives up to 140 hours of fragrance [1]. Skip it for someone who wants a cookie or vanilla candle instead of a woody one.
By Andrew Pataleta, GiftX founder · Updated October 29, 2026 · Sources
Specs at a glance
| Scent | Evergreen, bergamot, fresh balsam [1] |
| Size | 21.25 oz large apothecary jar [1] |
| Burn time | Up to 140 hours [1] |
| Wax | Soy wax blend [1] |
| Wicks | Two wicks for an even melt [1] |
| Dimensions | 3.8 x 3.8 x 6.75 inches [1] |
| Color | Green [1] |
Pros and cons
- Woody scent will not suit lovers of sweet candles
- Large jar is heavy for a stocking
- Plain label, not a designer look
Evergreen without the needles
The listing describes notes of evergreen, bergamot and fresh balsam [1]. Bergamot adds a little brightness, so it smells like a cold tree lot more than a dusty closet of pine cones.
That matters for the many families who switched to an artificial tree. The tree looks right but the house smells of nothing; this jar fills that gap for the season.
It also works as a background scent while the house is decorated: light it while the boxes of ornaments come down from the attic and the room starts to feel like December.
How the big jar burns
The jar is filled with a soy wax blend and set with wicks that, according to the listing, melt the wax evenly across the surface [1]. It promises up to 140 hours of fragrance from one candle [1].
On the first burn, wait until the melted pool reaches the glass all around before blowing it out. Large jars that skip this step tunnel, and that wastes half the wax.
When pine is the wrong pick
Scent is personal. People who love vanilla, cookies or florals often find a balsam candle too sharp for a small room. For them, the Bridgewater Sweet Grace or Capri Blue Volcano in this guide are easier choices.
A large glass jar is also an open flame in a heavy container. In a house with cats on counters or toddlers, the Luminara flameless pillars are safer.
One more practical point: the green glass is plain, with a simple label. It looks fine on a kitchen counter, but it will not pass for a designer candle on a coffee table. Pick the NEST jar if looks matter as much as scent.
Pairing it under the tree
On its own it is a solid office swap or neighbor gift. Next to the Village Candle Christmas Spice jar it becomes a pair: tree for the living room, spice for the kitchen.
Add a wick trimmer or a box of long matches if you want the gift to feel finished.
FAQ
What does Village Candle Balsam Fir smell like?
The listing describes fragrance notes of evergreen, bergamot and fresh balsam [1]. It is a green, woody scent with a bright edge, closer to a freshly cut tree than to a sweet holiday candle. People who miss a real Christmas tree tend to like it; people who prefer vanilla or bakery scents usually do not [1]
Is the Balsam Fir candle soy?
The listing says the Balsam Fir candles are made with a soy wax blend for a clean, even burn [1]. A blend means soy mixed with other waxes, not pure soy. If the person you are buying for only uses pure soy or beeswax, check the label or choose the Root beeswax blend tapers instead [1]
How do you stop a large jar candle from tunneling?
Let the first burn run until the melted wax reaches the edge of the jar, which can take a few hours in a wide candle. Trim the wicks short before each burn and keep the jar away from drafts. The listing notes the wicks are designed to melt the wax evenly across the surface when burned this way [1]
Featured in these guides
All product reviews · All gift guides
Sources and how we checked
- Amazon.com listing for the Village Candle Balsam Fir Large Apothecary Jar
Source check: Amazon prices and contents above were checked on October 29, 2026. We did not test these products hands-on. Picks are based on manufacturer specs, Amazon listings and the reasons people actually give these gifts.
As an Amazon Associate, GiftX earns from qualifying purchases. Prices and availability change, so check Amazon for the current price.