Yankee Candle Balsam & Cedar Review: Smells Like a Tree?
Pine balsam and cedarwood over warm amber, in the large glass jar Yankee Candle is known for. A safe, cheap Christmas gift, with a couple of house rules worth knowing.
Yes, for a mom who wants the house to smell like Christmas, especially if the tree is artificial. It is a woody, outdoorsy scent rather than a sweet one, and the listing claims up to 150 hours of burn [1]. Skip it for a home with a no open flame rule, pets that knock things over or a sensitive nose.
By Andrew Pataleta, GiftX founder · Updated October 28, 2026 · Sources
Specs at a glance
| Scent | Pine balsam, cedarwood, warm amber base [1] |
| Size | 22 oz large jar [1] |
| Burn time | Up to 150 hours [1] |
| Wax | Premium plant wax blend [1] |
| Wick | Natural fiber, single wick [1] |
| Dimensions | 4 inches wide, 6.8 inches tall [1] |
| Made in | USA, globally sourced materials [1] |
Pros and cons
- Open flame, not for every home
- Woody scent will not suit someone who prefers sweet or floral
- Heavy jar for a stocking at 2.5 pounds [1]
The smell of a fresh cut tree
Plenty of families switched to artificial trees and quietly miss the smell. Balsam & Cedar fills that gap: pine balsam and cedarwood with a warm amber base, according to the listing [1].
It reads as a walk in the woods, not a bakery. That makes it easy to live with for a whole season.
Burn time, wax and wick
This is the 22 oz large jar, which the listing rates for up to 150 hours of fragrance [1]. It uses a plant wax blend and a natural fiber wick, and is made in the USA with globally sourced materials [1].
The jar stands 6.8 inches tall and 4 inches wide, a good size for a mantel, a coffee table or the middle of the kitchen island [1].
The jar weighs about 2.5 pounds, so it feels substantial when she unwraps it [1]. Trim the wick before each burn and let the top melt evenly the first time; that keeps a large jar burning cleanly to the bottom instead of tunneling.
Homes where a candle is a bad idea
A candle is still an open flame. If she has cats on the counters, toddlers in the house or a rule against candles, give a different gift from this guide.
Scent is personal too. Someone who loves vanilla or florals may find a woody pine scent too strong for a small room.
Never leave it burning in an empty room, and keep it away from the tree and paper decorations. That is common sense, but worth a line in the card when the gift is for an older parent.
A small gift that sits well next to a big one
On its own it is a solid gift exchange present. Next to a bigger box it becomes the thing she lights that same evening.
From the same guide, it pairs naturally with the Bits and Pieces Spirit of Christmas Jigsaw Puzzle for a slow holiday night. With the NUXE Huile Prodigieuse Riche Dry Oil it makes a small self-care bundle.
FAQ
How long does a Yankee Candle large jar last?
The listing for this 22 oz large jar claims up to 150 hours of room-filling fragrance [1]. In practice that is most of the holiday season for someone who lights it in the evenings. Trimming the wick between burns helps it burn evenly [1]
What does Balsam & Cedar smell like?
Like a Christmas tree lot. The listing describes pine balsam mixed with brisk cedarwood over a base of warm amber [1]. It is woody and fresh rather than sweet, so it suits people who like outdoor scents more than cookie or vanilla candles [1]
Is a candle a good Christmas gift for mom?
Yes, when you know she burns candles. It gets used up instead of stored, which suits a mom who says she has too much stuff. Pair it with a more personal gift from this guide so it does not feel like a last minute grab [1]
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Sources and how we checked
- Amazon.com listing for the Yankee Candle Balsam & Cedar 22oz Large Jar
Source check: Amazon prices and contents above were checked on October 28, 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.