Christmas Candles

The Tradition of Christmas Candles

Perhaps the main purpose of christmas candles is to celebrate the birth of hope. For centuries candle light has represented faith, new beginnings and the promise that there will be another Spring. In ancient times, before there was a christmas, people burned candle wax to coax the gods to relight the earth on the darkest day of the year.

Christmas candles have been a very prominent part of the Christmas and Hanukkah traditions for thousands of years. The Christians light multi-colored advent candles which are placed on a wreathe of evergreens and lit one by one every consecutive Sunday before Christmas Days. The Hanukkah ritual is similar and features the lighting of white candles on a candelabrum called the menorah. In some Nordic cultures, candles are placed on wreathes and placed on people’s heads or carried through the streets.

For many individuals, the lighting of christmas candles is a crucial part of their annual ritual. Many christmas dinners feature candle centerpieces as the focus of their celebrations. Over 65% of the candles sold in the United States are sold during the Christmas season.

Christmas candles come in every conceivable size, shape and color. Red and green votive candles and pillar candles are scented with such aromas as pine, spruce, cinnamon, apple, mulberry, cider, gingerbread or peppermint are popular at this time.

Although the usual secular motifs such as snowflakes, snowflakes and reindeer are still popular, jars of scented candle wax and gel candles in bright red or green are also gaining popularity in the United States. Many of these christmas candles are also decorated with flame-retardant glitter.

Whether you are shopping for yourself, adding to your Christmas décor or looking for the perfect token to give your hostess, christmas candles make a great gift.