The Magic of Shimmering Candlelight

Nothing brings the holiday mood to a room like the radiance of lighted candles.

For 2008, candles in the deep red tones and a full array of soft, sumptuous greens are being paired with sparkling metallics and winter whites to bring an aura of shimmering welcome to your home.

Reds are everywhere, from Chinese reds to deep crimsons, while this year’s greens are soft or slightly blue in hue, whether in the palest of celadon or a muted spruce green. Glittering golds, silvers and coppers are favored counterpoints to snowy or creamy whites.
 
Chocolate browns and deep purples are two of the more unusual candle accent colors being seen this season.  Rich purple is often paired with crimson, gold and green for an Edwardian holiday look that blends well with traditional room styles.  Mahogany browns in tandem with whites, coppers and golds are popular for contemporary decors.

Glass and shiny metal candleholders, often set on mirrored candle trays or coasters, continue to be popular for adding shimmer to candle arrangements.  Slender glass candlesticks of varying heights bring a special elegance and sophistication to tapers.

This year’s holiday candle fragrances are rich and elegant as well. Traditional yuletide scents -- berry, cinnamon and evergreen – remain popular, but are often highlighted with subtle notes of pear, ginger, currant, pomegranate or chocolate.

Make Your Holidays Safe

Accidental candle fires increase by four-fold during the holiday season, so we urge all consumers to take special care with candles during the holiday season. Remember the following safety rules when using candles:

Always keep a burning candle within sight. Never leave a burning candle unattended or go to sleep without first extinguishing all candles.

Never burn a candle on or near anything that can catch fire. Be especially careful with flammable decorations or placing candles too close to Christmas greenery or Christmas trees.

Keep candles out of the reach of children and pets.

Always use a candleholder specifically designed for candle use. The holder should be heat resistant, sturdy and big enough to collect dripping wax. Never place pillars or any candles directly on furniture, whether glass or wood.

Trim candlewicks to ¼ inch before lighting or re-lighting, and keep the wax-pool free of wick trimmings, dust, matches and debris at all times. Too-long wicks can cause uneven burning, smoking and dripping.

Never touch or move a votive or container candle when the wax is liquid; extinguish pillar candles if the wax-pool approaches the outer rim of the candle.

Candles should be placed at least three inches apart so they don't melt one another or create their own drafts that will cause them to burn improperly.

The best way to extinguish a candle is to use a special candle snuffer or candle quencher to prevent hot wax from splattering.

Always burn candles in a well-ventilated room.

For more on the History of Candles and Candle Safety Rules.