Candles And More

Although it is often used for other purposes, the votive candle is really a prayer candle. It is often seen in churches. Heaps of inexpensive votive candles are usually found in special places in churches. Those who want to offer intensions go to these places and light a candle. There is usually a box close by in which donations are accepted. Donations are supposed to cover the cost of the candle and for other needs of the church.

These special prayer places have rows and rows of metal candle holders that can accommodate anybody who wants to make an offering. They are made such that there are catchers of melted wax at the bottom. We can assume that these are collected and recycled to make more candles. When used for other purposes, votive candles are placed in containers that are just the right size and shape for votive candles. They can be as simple as one made of clear glass or as elegant as an etched crystal.

Choose your favorite scent!

Have you noticed newborn babies lately, like there are a lot of them?  There is nothing like the smell of a newborn baby, with all the scents of baby powder and lotion.

I can remember my kids when they were little, after a bath, when they were all clean, I would put johnsons lotion on them.  Not only were they soft, but they smelled wonderful, of course until they spit up.  None the less, it is a smell that makes you remember when yours were little.

Well, if you like the smell, there are baby powder scented candles available.  You can have the smell all the time minus the spit up.  Scented candles are a way of having the scents you like all the time.  Someday, I’ll have grandchildren and enjoy the real scent for a while, but until then, I guess, candles will suffice.  FYI, did you know that baby powder is one of the most sought after scents?  Kinda interesting huh?

Warm your house with scents.  All this coldness in the air, you can make your house smell and feel warmer with scented candles.

The holidays are all past now, we have the cold, dreary weather to look forward to now.  I don’t know about you, but I am tired of the snow.  I am ready for fresh air in my house, windows open, nice clean breeze, that is not freezing.

Well since that is still a dream, as of now anyway, candles will suffice.  There are so many scents now days that you can make your house smell like a dream.  If you are dreaming of warm apple pie, fresh baked cookies, or even fresh clean breezes, there are scents to help that dream along, in scented candles.

Let your imagination run wild with your senses, it works!

With so many candle options available today, making a choice can be difficult. There are many things to consider when you are purchasing a new candle, including: burn time, scent, design and the purpose. Candles are used for a variety of rites and ceremonies, as well as simply to decorate and create a unique ambiance.

Many people have heard the term “prayer candle” used for the small candles used in religious ceremonies, but the proper name is actually votive. Votives are typically two inches tall and are used in traditional Roman Catholic and Eastern Orthodox services. While these candles are an establishment in the church, you can find less conventional designs for use in your home.

Double or triple layered candles are a good way to get two to three layers of your favorite scents in one candle.  The scent of your favorites layer by layer, that way, you won’t get tired of the same old scent all the time.

Its nice because you can also have them layered not only in the scents you want, but also the color.  Triple layered candles can even be made in votive sizes, although votive candles are not made to stand alone.  They should be placed in a close fitting jar, if not already poured in a glass container.

The same is true for triple layered candles in smaller pillar sizes, they will melt down in a pool, which is dangerous, not to mention messy.  If not already poured in a glass container, you should place them in a snug fitting holder.  When candles are in containers, they are less likely to come in contact with a breeze.  Candles should always be kept away from windows and doors where there is a breeze.  You want your double or triple layered candle to burn evenly so that you can enjoy all of your scents, so you should also keep your wick trimmed to 1/4″ at all times along with keeping away from breezes and never blowing your candles out.  Instead, you should snuff your candles out.  Candle snuffers can be purchased anywhere they sell candles and will save you money in the long run!

Warm your home with fragrance, sounds silly doesn’t it.  Well it is not as silly as it sounds.  You can actually make your home feel warm and cozy, especially this time year.

There are so many scents out there that will give your home that warm cozy feeling.  Just light your candle and let the scent fill the room.  You know your windows can still be open for a while this year and that crisp scent that comes in is so refreshing.  I wish I could have that feeling all year long.

Now that we are going into the colder seasons, the dampness, the chill that goes to the bone, it is nice to come home to that cozy feeling and cuddle up with a warm blankie and have the scent of cookies, vanilla, pumpkin, or hazelnut scent.

I don’t know about you and maybe I’m weird, but I feel funny burning citrus or flowery scents in the fall and winter.  Now maybe spring, but not in the cold season.  Doesn’t it seem like the bakery scents, spice scents, or nut scents should be burned?  Well any way, jar candles, votives, or tartburners, any way you like them.  Happy burning in any scent!

Everyone wants long burning and clean burning candles.  The way to get both of those is to be sure to not let the wax pool after burning for a while.  Did you know that you should trim your wick?  Also you should never blow a candle out.  First of all it is very dangerous because it could splash, it really needs to be snuffed out with a snuffer.   Snuffers don’t cost very much and will save your candle.

It is not always the wax that is the problem, for instance, if you don’t keep your wick trimmed, the flame burns higher and will cause soot.  Also, it will cause the wax to build up on the walls of the candle, ie, burning in the center and not evenly.  It seems kind of silly to have instructions to a candle, but it is the truth.  Just like anything else, you have to use them properly!

If you do these things, your scented candle will last a lot longer and not cause these problems.  I know personally, once I find a scented candle I like, I want to get the most of it.  So follow these instructions along with taking care not to place them where they will get a breeze and you should get a longer life from your candle.

There have been questions raised to whether or not citronella candles are safe,  so I thought I would address the issue.  Citronella candles contain citronella oil which is considered a biopesticide substance.

Biopesticides are substances that are naturally occuring and control pests.  They are made out of plant extracts, both of which citronella and lemongrass are and lemongrass is also a relative to citronella.

The EPA regulates the use of biopesticides and also requires precautionary labeling for safe use.  The only concern is with skin contact since it is also used in perfuming  ie. lotions, gels, sprays, and wipes.  There is not mention of a concern with the use of citronella candles.

Studies show little or no toxicity to citronella and it  is not expected to pose health risks in people or animals.  In fact, as a side note,  citronella oil has been mentioned in the use of calming barking dogs, and is known to have strong antifungal properties.  So if you are going green, why not use the natural substances to control pests, lemongrass, and citronella candles!

After graduating from college, I took a month off to travel around Europe. I had been setting money aside for years, so I was sure to make the most of the experience. In addition to all the interesting people I met traveling by train in France, Switzerland, Italy and Germany, I came away with a newfound appreciation for different cultures. By the end of the trip, it came time to find some souvenir gifts for my loved ones back home. At Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris, I was struck with some inspiration.

As a devout Catholic, my mother lights votive candles practically every week during Mass. On Sunday afternoons you can find her kneeling inside a chapel, praying for ailing friends and family members. I sought out some decorative votive candle holders to present to her upon my return. She was blown away by the gift, and I felt a profound sense of satisfaction.