- Candleholders are used to position a burning or unlit candle. Candleholders can prevent a candle from burning through or forming wax on a wood or metal surface. Candles can be lit anytime of the day but should only be burned under supervision. Popular in churches, at weddings or for intimate events, candles give off light, scent and tranquility. Floating candles do not utilize a traditional candleholder but rather float on water inside of a round glass dish.
- Tapers, votives, tea lights, jar candles, pillars and spheres make up the majority of candles that are sold and made. Most candles can have one wick or several, depending on their design. Votive and tea light candleholders are round and can be made from glass or metal, providing a secure place for the candle to burn without shifting. Taper candles provide a classic look when burned in upright crystal candleholders, creating an elegant design. Pillar candles and holders are a popular design element in many homes. Most pillar candleholders are made from bended metal, wood or glass. Pillar candleholders provide a tiered look and focal point to an empty area. Sphere candles burn in the middle, hollowing out and leaving the sphere in place. A sphere candleholder consists of either a pointed tip for securing to a metal base or a raised glass dish to keep the candle secure and decorative. Hurricanes are tall glass candleholders that can also hold accents such as colored sand, polished stone and seashells. Jar candles are popular sellers and offer the convenience of a holder and a candle together.
- Most candleholders will be reused after a candle is burned. Keeping candleholders clean and dust free will reduce fire hazards and maintain a new appearance. Glass candleholders can be placed in a solution of hot water and mild dish soap to loosen wax. Another option is to freeze the candleholder until the wax becomes brittle and crumbly. A Teflon food remover can be used to carefully pry and scrape wax from the candleholder without damaging the piece. For tough wax buildup and residue, Goo Gone or an adhesive or wax remover can be used. A damp cloth can be wiped over the entire piece to buff and shine.
- With any lit candle, one should always follow basic safety guidelines. Make sure the wick is kept to 1/4 inch to maintain a low flame and prevent the wax from expanding around the candleholder. Keep flames away from paper and fabric. Never leave a lit candle unattended; use a candle snuffer to diminish a flame. A candle snuffer also helps to protect the candleholder from dripping wax as opposed to blowing out the flame.
- A luminary or lantern can be placed outdoors on a walkway or deck to guide guests along a path to the front door. Lanterns and luminaries are candleholders that provide light and safe guidance on dark nights. Luminaries are often made from paper, metal or plastic and have cut-out designs that illuminate in the dark. Lanterns can be carried from one locale to the other and hung from a secure post or placed on a solid surface.
