By
eHow Parties & Entertaining Editor
Difficulty: Moderately Easy
Step1
Decorate the whole room, not just the table. Wine glasses, dishes and shirtsleeves make the dinner table less than optimal for displaying lit candles. Putting candles all around the room makes it appear well lit and inviting. Instead of buying just one or two candles for the dining room table, buy several and place them at spaced intervals all around the dining room.
Step2
Match your theme. If your dinner party formal, keep your candles traditional and simple. For more laid-back themes, like tropical luaus or movie nights, decorate with fun candles that complement the fake palm trees or the cardboard cut-out of Marilyn Monroe.
Step3
Consider unscented candles. No matter what you are serving, the food at your dinner party is bound to smell delicious. While themed parties might be more fun with scented candles that match the overall tone of the evening, a simple casual meal with friends around the table might call for unscented candles. These are more appropriate for this sort of gathering because the scent of the candle won't detract from the food and drink.
Step4
Check your guest list. Before decorating with candles, consider the people that you are inviting. Find out if any of them have asthma or other breathing problems. Candles might not be a good decorating option if any of your guests has one of these medical conditions because the smoke emitted from the candle or even its scent could make breathing difficult.
Step5
Use candles as place cards. If you opt to set candles on the dining room table instead of placing them around the room, incorporate them into each guest's place setting. Use non-flammable paint or glitter and glue to write each guest's name on an individual candle at their seat. Personalize a candle for guests with something that reminds you of him or her or that everyone knows about them. Tie ribbons and glue beads or sequins on candles for your friend that loves to sew. Buy a candle with flowers inlaid into it or paint flowers on a plain candle for someone who gardens. Glue golf balls together as a holder for a candle at the place setting of your golfing buddy.
