I love candles and use them all year but at Christmas they seem to take on an extra sparkle.  Maybe it’s the holiday twinkle in my eye that sees candles just a bit differently – but somehow their glow is extra special this time of year. 

Candle Safety

Before sharing some of the ways I’m using candles in my home this season I want to remind you that candles are an open flame and require caution.  Please follow the three very basic but very important safety rules from   The National Candle Association:

1.  Never leave a burning candle unattended.

2.  Never burn a candle on or near anything that might catch fire.

3.  Keep candles out of the reach of children and pets.

Candles In My Home

I had a spot for a white candle but the small pillar just looked too plain on the simple glass holder I wanted to use. My solution? I dug out a handful of gold metal star studs from my craft supplies. The candle was too hard for me to push the studs in easily so first I dropped them into a mug full of very hot water and let them sit for a couple minutes. Then, one by one, I removed them from water and inserted the hot prongs into the candle wax.

Make a plain white pillar holiday ready by adding gold star studs from the craft store.

This metal floor lantern stands near my entry year ’round. For a simple holiday look I placed an extra long gold bead garland in the glass container holding the candle.

A gold bead garland piled around the pillar adds holiday sparkle to this floor lantern.

White tea lights in simple glass holders highlights a homemade Santa.

Inexpensive votives spotlight a handmade decoration.

A candelier in the breakfast room goes glizty for winter with sparkling hanging snowflake votive holders. Iced branches inserted in the candelier wreath above visually ties the votives and candelier together.

Snowflake votive holders hang from a candelier.

Terrie gave me this great candle holder several years ago and it’s been in use continually ever since. It’s easy to change it to match any season.  For Christmas I simply placed gold pinecones in the bottom and a gold pillar in the top of the holder.

Gold pine cones and a gold pillar dress this holder for the holidays.

I brighten a corner of my kitchen with a coffee scented votive candle in a black cup and saucer while a Santa plate and Santa serving desert stand nearby.

A coffee scented votive in a black cup and saucer partner with Santas to decorate a kitchen corner.

Mirrors double the impact of candles as demonstrated by the three brass votives below on small gold framed mirrors.

Brass votive holders on small gold framed mirrors add a holiday glow to a table top.

A holiday sparkle results from a mix of clear glass votive holders reflecting light off a silver tray.

Mix or match glass votive holders on a silver tray for lots of sparkle.

 Every window in the front of my house has an electric candle in the window. From the street at night each window glows with a single point of light…very welcoming.

An electric candle glows in each front window of the house.

Just as it wouldn’t be safe to use real candles in my windows, I have a very high mantel (it starts at 6′) that would make it a bother as well as unsafe to climb up to each evening to light candles. I solved the problem with battery powered candles – real wax, real scent, actually flicker and they come on each night at the same time (thanks to a built-in timer) and later they automatically turn off at a pre-set time each night. Easy and safe!

Battery powered candles make it easier and safer to use these candle holders high above the fireplace mantel.

I hope my candles have sparked some ideas for using candles in your home.  Send me a note and  a photo about how you brighten your holidays with the warm glow of candlelight.

Win This Pillow

Get your name in the drawing for this 16″ x 16″ French burlap pillow slip!  All you need to do is send us a photo of a tree ornament you love and a brief note about why it’s special to you.  Email your message and the photo as an attachment to solutions@yourdecoratinghotline.com and you’ll automatically be entered in the contest.  Each email and photo puts your name in the drawing – enter as often as you like from now through December 22.

Win this French burlap pillow by sharing a photo of a favorite tree ornament.

Thanks to Michelle at Petit Coterie, ETSY Store, for the pillow slip prize!

Hope your holidays are cheery and bright!

• First – we’re asking YOU for a big “Thumbs Up” on our first ever subscription drive.  Subscriptions are free – just use the form included in the FREE WREATH tab on the top menu bar to sign up to automatically receive our daily posts.  Plus, subscribe in December and we’ll email you a link so you can download our FREE Wonderful Holiday Wreaths guide, a 13-page guide packed with color photos of beautiful holiday wreaths to inspire your creativity and step-by-step instructions for making your own designer wreaths.  Give YourDecoratingHotline.com a big Thumbs Up and subscribe now!  We’ll return the favor with a complimentary copy of Wonderful Holiday Wreaths.
• Second – during December instead of presenting opposing decorating points of view we’re going to share “Thumbs Up” information to help you through the holidays.  We’ll resume our usual ”Thumbs Up/Thumbs Down” decorating column in January. 

Today we’re giving two big “Thumbs Up!” to some of the great gifts available online.  You can shop in your pjs and find just the holiday gifts you need.  Plus, you’re more likely to stay within your budget by shopping online – did you know people tend to spend more and blow their budgets after handling things in stores?  It’s easier to stay focused and on target and on budget on the Internet.  So skip the mall and save time, money, gas and stress.  We’ve scoured retail sites, other blogs, magazines and queried friends, in order to provide you a wide range of great gift options.  Ready for a little armchair shopping?  Read on…

GIFTS UNDER $25

Cool holiday candles like these will take center stage on any table.  Search for Marcel Wanders candles at Target $15-20

 Clothing hooks with your initials – a very personalized gift. Search for ”initial hooks” at Anthropologie, $12

Glamourous silver wrapped candle holders to brighten your space. Search for ”silver coil candle holder” at  Burke Decor, $16 (click through on our affiliate link below)

With clever designs like this, everyone will want to have canvas reusable shopping bags, EarthOwl.net, $15

Tell the world about your photo by writing on the chalkboard frame. Change the picture – change your message! Search “chalkboard frame” at Cost Plus $9.99 (click through our affiliate link below)

 
Select an elegant crystal wine stopper for a wine enthusiast. Search “crystal wine stopper” at Burke Decor, $22 (click through our affiliate link below)

Carved wood pillar holders make a dramatic statement.  Search with keyword “Satara” at Cost Plus, $14.99 to $19.99 (click through our afflilate link below)

An eco-friendly option, water bottles to use over and over instead of buying bottled water. Search for this set of five with keywords “water bottles” at Lakeside, $10 (click through our affiliate link below)

 Unbeatable as a hostess gift or stocking stuffer!  A set of six 100% cotton hand towels each appliqued and embroidered with a different holiday motif. Set arrives tied with a ribbon and ready for giving.  Search for “holiday guest towel” at Linen Source, set of 6 for $3.98 – yes! only $3.98!!! (click through our affiliate link in the sidebar)

The ultimate accessory for every cook, this wood and metal stand holds cookbooks open for easy viewing. Search “cookbook stand” at Lamps Plus, $24.99 (click through our affiliate link below) 

GIFTS UNDER $50

    Silk orchids remain beautiful without any care!  Search “white orchid” at Lamps Plus, $27.95  (click through our affiliate link below)

Layers of glass provide the striking color of this contemporary bowl and vase.  Search “capri” at Gumps, $30 bowl and $35 vase (click through our affiliate link on the right sidebar)

Feminine and romantic, these lacey vases will add pizzazz to your flowers, MayaStar.com, $30

   Dress up a cup of tea with this boxed gift set of 4 dishwasher safe cups.  Search “Japanese teacups” at Gumps,  $38 (click through our affiliate link in right sidebar)

 Add the soothing sound of gentle trickling water with this table top fountain.  Search for  ”terracotta cascade” at Lamps Plus, $40 (click through on our affiliate link below)

This clock will add a touch of whimsy to any room.  Search for “dropped numerals” at Burke Decor, $37 (click through on our affiliate link below)

Looking for unique ways to hold up your  books?  This bookend set says it all, Dutch By Design, $35

Darling floral growth chart for a little girls room. Ruled numbers marked in inches for measuring and recording your childs growth. Sports version available for boys.  Search “growth chart” at Linen Source, $49.00 (click through our affiliate link below)

 Add a bright touch of color and some holiday cheer with a hand-crafted Holiday Hooked Pillow. Toss on a sofa, chair or your bed. Search for “hooked pillow” at Home Decorators Collection, $39.00 (click the affiliate link 0n the right sidebar)

 Show someone you really care - give them a kiss them under this realistic-looking kissing ball made of PVC Pine and Juniper evergreen boughs.  It’s a generous 12 inches in diameter and its bright red hanging ribbon  makes holiday decorating (and kiss giving) a snap. Search for “kissing ball” at Wreaths Galor, $49.66 (click through our affiliate link below)

Books are always an excellent gift option and Amazon.com is a user friendly place to shop.  We feature a selection of decorating related books in My Bookshelf (see top menu tab), or you can click through and search the site for the perfect gift.

As a reminder, we provide product links to the general page or the main web page so when the site changes their pages you can still find the item .  Just search by the keywords provided  and you’ll easily find all these great gift ideas…..and maybe even more!  We appreciate your interest in browsing and shopping our affiliate sites (we make a little commission on your purchases) - following are links to the affiliates mentioned in this post

Enjoy your shopping adventure!

1.  A fabulous collection of modern clocks – something really different.  (via gnr8.biz, $119)

Nava clocks from gnr8.biz

2.  Cool vintage-looking game board art.  (via Wisteria, $229)

Game board art

3.  Something more affordable….. ETSY art by Elisabeth Perotin, $20 each.  I love the organic shapes and hint of floral without really being quite a floral, modern (or is it Asian, or maybe whimsical?), but definitely beautiful.

Fantaisie Vegetale art, ETSY

Another design by Elisabeth.

4.  Since Halloween is approaching, I found these novelty taper candles at CostPlus (click through the affiliate link at the end of the post).  (via CostPlus $20 s/4)

Halloween Tapers s/4 at Cost Plus.

5.  I love watching Nate Berkus on Oprah – he’s adorable, plus he offers good design information.  He has his own line of furnishings and I found this on the HSN site.  He’s designed a couple of “instant” tablescape sets to help get you started (includes picture frame, candle holder and tray).  (via HSN.com, Astor 3-pc Tablescape, $80)

Nate Berkus 3-pc tablescape grouping.

 Hope you enjoyed this quick web shopping spree.  Let me know if you’re having trouble finding something specific or have a great source to share.

Related posts:

1. Thumbs Up for 20 Terrific Online Gifts