This time of the year, candles seem as much a part of the holiday season as do gifts, evergreens and shiny decorations.
Yet candles are no longer just for the winter months, but have become a year-round constant in home design. These days, candles can be purchased in just about every conceivable size, color and scent, with something to suit every taste.
The sight and scent of a candle can be reassuring and soothing to the senses, which may explain their rise in popularity in our stressed-out society.
Candles are the best way to release fragrance in the home,” said Janet Ostarello of Salinas, California, a senior unit leader for PartyLite, a direct sales company that specializes in candles. “We’re all about ambiance.”
PartyLite, one of the fastest-rising companies in the United States, sells candles through home parties. “It’s growing like no other direct sales company right now,” said Ostarello.
She thinks that even in the current economic climate, people buy candles because it’s an item that will add something special to their homes for a minimum investment.
“It’s an affordable luxury,” said Ostarello.
Some people like to keep their candles burning. Others tend not to light them that often, but prefer to have them as part of their interiors because they suit the décor.
Yet not all candles are created alike. Especially for those who like to light candles, it does make a difference as to which candles you buy, and how you take care of them.
Rosa Brittain, a manager at Wicks & Wax candle store in Carmel, California, said not all candles are good candles. Poor quality candles, which tend to be the cheapest ones, will burn too fast and with too much heat.
“You have to have the right amount of wax for the right size wick,” she said. “You may have to test some to find out what burns best.”
Stores like Wicks & Wax, which specialize in candles, have knowledgeable staff who can recommend particular brands. And once you find a brand you like, stick with it so you’ll know what you’re getting.
Brittain also prefers candles made of natural materials, rather than those made from paraffin, a petroleum derivative.
In addition to traditional beeswax and bayberry, candles made of soy wax are also becoming increasingly available. Less common but occasionally seen are candles created from palm and other vegetable waxes.
There’s a lot of enthusiasm for soy candles, which are typically less expensive than those made from beeswax, but still offer a natural alternative to paraffin. Soy produces less soot than paraffin when burned and is considered healthier for people’s lungs and the planet.
Soy also has a lower melting point than other waxes, so the candles don’t burn with as much heat, making them longer-lasting than other types. It’s said that soy candles release more fragrance into the air because of this fact.
Brittain makes soy candles and sells them at Wicks & Wax under the name Carmel Candle Co., as well as through her Web site, www.carmelcandle.com.
Ostarello also notes that what the wick is made from can make a difference. PartyLite candles use cotton wicks that contain no chemicals or metal, which help the candles burn longer and more cleanly.
No matter what your candle is made of, there are styles and types galore. In addition to traditional tapers and tiny tea lights, the ever-popular pillar candle is a mainstay in home décor.
Groupings of tapers or pillars can add a dramatic look to any home, in complementary shades or in the same color with a variety of candleholders.
For an Asian or spa look, place one or more pillar candles on a fire-safe dish and surround the candle base with small river rocks or glass stones.
Candles can also grace a fireplace hearth, or can even be placed in the fireplace in lieu of building a fire. There are even candleholders made especially for use in a fireplace.
But style is not the only consideration. Ostarello said that for many candle-owners, fragrance is the primary factor in selection. And everyone is different as to what they prefer.
She classifies candle scents according to five categories: fruity, spicy, floral, fresh and clean, and herbal/woodsy.
“Everyone’s nose is different,” she said.
On the other hand, some people prefer unscented candles, especially for the dining room, so that the aroma of the candles doesn’t interfere with that of the food.
PartyLite also sells battery-operated flameless candles, another new trend in candle décor. These candles aren’t for burning, but instead simulate candlelight through an LED light. The company’s Light Illusion line features this type of candle in a pillar style.
“It’s a hard wax cylinder with an embedded light,” said Ostarello. “It gives off a nice warm glow.”
Other brands of flameless candles simulate real candles quite closely, with blackened wicks and flickering lights.
If you opt for real candles – and most people do – there are some ways to make your candles last longer and look better.
Ostarello recommends pushing down the sides of pillar candles, after blowing out the flame but while the wax is still soft, to help them last longer.
“If you push down the sides, you won’t have that big crater in the middle,” she said.
Brittain notes that keeping the wick trimmed to a ¼ inch will keep the candle from smoking. In addition, your candle will appear neater if you clean up debris or matches that fall into the wax pool.
She also recommends watching candles carefully to see if they flicker while burning. This is a sign that there is a draft in the room, which can cause candles to drip.
“The flame has to go straight up, or else you’re going to get pits and drips,” said Brittain.
Also keep lit candles away from vents, ceiling fans and air currents, all of which will cause the candle to burn unevenly. If a candle continues to smoke or flicker, or the flame becomes too high, extinguish it and let the candle cool before trimming the wick.
Sources:
Personal interviews with Janet Ostarello and Rosa Brittain, November 2009
www.partylite.com
www.candles.org (National Candle Association)
