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Lighted jack o' lanterns are a longstanding Halloween tradition. Carving an image or face on the front of a pumpkin and sticking a lighted candle inside became known, over time, as making a "jack o' lantern" -- a man, or "jack," with a lantern. Today, candle-lit jack o' lanterns still operate as "lanterns," but they are also created to add magical or spooky effects as part of Halloween displays.
Candles are lovely for Christmas decorating, but they also pose dangers. According to the National Fire Protection Association, the number of house fires started by candles jumps nearly 10 percent each December. Electric candles, also called flameless candles, are a safer alternative that also add a decorative touch during the holidays.
Liven up boring votive candles with some votive candle crafts. Christmas crafting projects are a good way to get kids involved with decorating for Christmas. Gather up your votives, put a holiday spin on them and use them on mantels and tables, or for party favors. Set them on a windowsill so everyone can enjoy your festive candle decorations.
In Estonia, Christmas traditions are a combination of pagan and folk beliefs and modern religious practices. One distinctive Christmas Eve tradition is the lighting of candles, both in local cemeteries and in homes. The celebration of light began in ancient times as a solstice ritual and continued through the communist era and into the present day.
A candle was one of most common tools used to ward off darkness during the earlier times. That is why people used it to signify religious triumphs, celebration and positive values, which can all be experienced and remembered during Christmas time. Generally, Christians use candles to symbolize Jesus's presence in the world. However, using candles has become a Christmas tradition that holds different meanings to people around the world.
The practice of placing candles in windows during the Christmas holiday in the United States is a tradition early Americans may have brought with them from other countries. But the practice did not truly catch on until fostered by a historic American colonial district. The tradition has spread across the country, especially with advances in safety. It is especially popular in the eastern part of the country.
The Christmas holiday includes many traditions, some of which involve candles. During Christmas, candles (usually white pillars or tapers) are carried by carolers, and placed in windows and on the branches of Christmas trees. Similar customs involving candles have been practiced within other non-Christian holidays, dating back to the ancient Romans.
Flickering candles in windows, bright lights and ornaments on Christmas trees and colorfully wrapped packages are traditional decorations to be expected during the Christmas season. The tradition of placing Christmas candles in windows is so common that many people don't ever consider how the tradition began.
Embellish your dinner table for a holiday dinner party or family gathering with a festive candle holder to illuminate the area. Adorn an inexpensive hurricane candle shade that's narrow on the top and bottom, bows out in the center and sits atop a clear glass base, with embellishments that evoke the sights and scents of the season. Surround a plain white candle with vibrant items to complete the craft that will not only make an eye-catching centerpiece, but also a merry hostess gift if you're having dinner at a friend or relative's house.
Christmas is a time of festive celebration. Not only does it mean the smell of pie baking in the oven, but also breathtakingly beautiful decorations. For many, the lighted candle at Christmas time stands for home fires burning, the return of long-lost family and friends, and the heralding in of the season. While candle holders can be purchased practically anywhere, part of the fun of the holidays is being able to make one yourself.
Candles have been used to celebrate Christmas and other holidays that occur around the same time for centuries. Elements of these traditions have combined to form our modern Christmas candle customs.
Candles are a lovely and symbolic part of Christmas decorating. They not only represent the light which is being celebrated, but they also bring the feeling of warmth into homes in the winter. The use of candles at Christmastime dates back centuries as one of the most popular decorations. Here are some ideas for using candles in your holiday decor.
