Elton John Has More Candles 'Than I Care to Admit' but He Still Co-Created a Collection for the Holidays (Exclusive)

Mar. 15, 2025

Victor Boyko/Getty; Courtesy of Slatkin + Co.

Sir Elton Johnis adding a new moniker to his esteemed list of nicknames:CandleMan.

“Candles have always been a passion of mine,” John tells PEOPLE exclusively.

Particularly during the winter, he says, “There’s something so magical about a holiday scented candle filling the air with scent notes and setting an ambiance, especially at our country home Woodside at this time of year.”

Elton John.Kevin Mazur/Getty Images

Kevin Mazur/Getty Images

John and Slatkin initially had a chance encounter when the musician was buying Slatkin’s namesake collection several years ago.

Needless to say, when it comes to candles, today John says he has “more than I care to admit — being friends with Harry has its perks!”

Those perks include having a custom collection of “24 couture scents,” which John created. It was a gift from Slatkin and his wife, Laura, for his 50th birthday.

“I walked into my gardens at Woodside and we magically created a scent that captured the white flowers all in bloom.”

courtesy of Slatkin + Co.

Today, this collaboration “is a celebration of our years of friendship and shared love of home fragrance,” John says.

John adds that he “always” wanted to work with Slatkin on a collection for the holidays. Over a dinner at John’s home in the South of France, that became a reality.

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The musician was then “very” involved in the process, he says. “Having worked together on creating scents previously, it was Harry who said we should only do it if I was personally involved, and he meant it,” John explains. “I on the other hand I couldn’t do it if it couldn’t be the scents I dreamed of.”

Of all of the aromas, John says his favorite is Woodside Holiday Traditions fragrance found in the50oz Decorative Candlewith a shiny metalized finish. The votive comes in black, gold, green, red and silver and retails for $80.

“I love fresh orange pomander, fir balsam, amber and cinnamon bark. These scents evoke the holidays to me! Harry was able to weave these into this one amazing scent. It reminds me of a cozy winter’s day with [husband] David [Furnish] and the children celebrating our family gatherings.”

The packaging is extra special.

“At the outset, I wanted a modern version of a piano keyboard as the direction for the candle containers, and I’m really pleased with how perfectly it turned out — like a piece of art. The collection also features my ‘E*’ logo on every lid. I really hope that the fragrance notes will be music for your senses,” John says.

The star is “thrilled” that the collection will be sold at QVC.

“This beautiful new range is of the highest quality. Believe me, I know a lot about candles! And via QVC, we can make them available at an affordable price, so more home-fragrance-lovers can enjoy them over the holidays,” he says.

Of course, we had to ask John if he had a favorite. The task was hard as “each one reminds me of such a special holiday memory,” he shares.

However, the English Oak and Amber candle, which is both one of theLuxe 80oz votives($110) and within the advent calendar,does spark up the importance of friendship.

To scent your space the Elton John way, he says, lighting up the Gilded Pomander, available in the Set of 2 Reed Diffusers ($44) as well as the 14oz Set of Two Candles ($55),is the move. “It is a classic scent that fills the halls of Woodside during the holidays, hung along the hallways and banisters. I love the fruity combination of blood oranges studded with cinnamon spice cloves, crisp cold eucalyptus, and fir needles.”

This season, John will spend the holidays with his family as his beloved Woodside. “I’m very excited for another holiday season there," he says. “We have such wonderful family traditions, like transforming the delicious garden fruits into a holiday marmalade — think ripe raspberries and orange peels, blended with spiced apples and vanilla sugar, slowly simmered into a sweet treat!”

The family tree will be up and decorated in all its glory, signaling that the holidays have officially arrived. I also can’t wait to be cozied up in my library, with a cup of freshly steeped English tea, seeing the first snowfall across the garden and orchards. And I’m particularly excited for some gingerbread puddling — one of my all-time favorite holiday desserts.”

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After collaborating so closely with Slatkin, John hopes this collection is just the beginning.

In the meantime, he’s excited for fans to get their hands on this collection. “I am thrilled that consumers can infuse their homes with the scents I worked on passionately to burn in my own homes, as well adding warmth and comfort for the holiday season.”

Shop the collectionnow.

source: people.com