Seasons > Christmas > Decorations for the home > How to Arrange Candles
Don’t make this Mistake! Some people buy a single candle, but there is not many places you can decorate with one candle, even in a small space. It just looks sad! It looks so much better and more Christmasy with two or more candles, and then add some greenery, pinecones and a placemat or doily.
Adding another decoration next to the candles can add a lot of interest, too. This is a dollar store bird house with red dollar store birds glued to it.
For an even bigger arrangement, use 4 or more candles. Add greenery (fresh or artificial) and some pinecones, holly sprigs, and Christmas balls. The more details are added, the more lush the arrangement looks. To save money on greenery, cut up an inexpensive swag to the length that fits the space. You can also cut up a small tree--just twist the branches together with twisties or florist’s wire.
This is an entirely different arrangement with a bowl of Christmas balls next to candles. The large ball in front of the bowl is a tea light holder. The white cloth gives a striking contrast, whereas they would have blended into the brown of the wood table without it.
Adding a wreath or some other hanging decoration near the candles can make the arrangement even bigger. The combination is quite festive, and so much more interesting than the 4 plain candles.
Greenery (fresh or artificial) Is one of the easiest and least expensive ways to decorate for Christmas. If you can cut branches off a tree in your yard, and pick up your own pinecones, this is a really inexpensive arrangement. If not, buy an artificial swag and holly sprigs at a dollar store or craft store. If you can find loral picks for 50 cents or a dollar, they can be an inexpensive alternative. The “greenery” shown here is actually dollar store trees put on their sides, with the legs pulled off. Use a bow or balls to hide the base, or simply bend the base into the rest of the branches.
Even large pillar candles don’t look good by themselves. In the second picture, they have been lined up on top of 2 gift box lids with some artificial holly sprigs tucked in between the candles.
For a more luxurious arrangement, add more Christmas tree branches (dollar store, of course) and even more holly sprigs.
This is a smaller arrangement, and the bow is hiding a pack that draws moisture out of the air.
Here is another arrangement with the pillar candles surrounded by gingerbread houses and a train that really runs (all from the dollar store, of course.)
This is a really quick candle arrangement. Put a plaid runner on the table, put a wreath on top of that, put a bowl of water on top of that. Add floating candles, and in 5 minutes, the arrangement is ready.
The more decorations you add, the more interesting the arrangement becomes. Two candles are better than one. A floral pick definitely makes it look better. Add more greenery and ribbon for even more pizzaz.
A table runner, pinecone wreath, and pillar candle make a pretty good begining, but you can keep adding.
You can add little branches around the tree for extra interest.
Or, you can put a whole wreath on the table runner, and layer the pinecone wreath and candle on top of that. Just make sure it is all secure--you don’t want a lit candle to topple over!
Adding red bows makes it even more lush, even though there is only one candle.
Don’t go overboard, though--you can go too far with decorations, too. This may be cute for kids, but it is a little over done.
Here are some candle tricks. If you want a candle a little bit taller (as in the arrangement 3 rows above), put an unopened can under it (though I do recommend using a can that fits on the candle--this one is a bit precarious for a lit candle. A tuna can would be a better choice.) Hide the can with some greenery, or tape color coordinated wrapping paper to the can to disguise it.
Once a pillar candle has burned down a little, put a tea light in the top, and keep replacing it so you don’t have to buy another pillar candle.
If you don’t want to pay for a tall pillar candle, stack two dollar store candles. Melt a little wax to keep them together, and tie a ribbon to hide the joint. As with any candles, never burn unattended.
Sometimes new candles come with a long wick. Cut it off to half an inch before lighting to keep it from having a large smokey flame for the first few minutes. Candles burn longer if they are frozen first...it makes you wonder how the first person figured that out!
Floating candles have rounded bottoms. If you try to float candles with flat bottoms, they will tip annoyingly.
Tea lights often come in little silver cups (on the left). Battery run tea lights (on the right) are good options so you don’t have to keep an eye on them. These are a particularly good choice for homes with small children. Both kinds are sold in dollar stores. (In Japan, look at Seiyu or other department stores at Christmas time.
Votive candles
Taper candles
Candle adhesive is REALLY helpful when you have tapers that don’t quite fit in the candle holders. A little dab in the candle cup will keep them in place--with in reason. The candles may still topple if you carry them across the room.
Pillar candles
Seasons > Christmas > Decorations for the home > How to Arrange Candles
These candles are birthday candles in a tiny menorah to celebrate Jesus’ Jewish heritage. The box and urn hold real myrrh and frankincense.
