Christmas Candle Centerpiece

Candles have always been associated with Christmas decorations, when our ancestors used them as luminaries to adorn Christmas trees, to their present day beauty in an array of décor settings. Christmas candles have been linked to many countries and religions.

According to noelnoelnoel.com, candles were first used as gifts during the Roman festival of Saturnalia (or Saturn, the symbol of light). Christians used candles in their windows to help the Christ Child find his way from house to house on Christmas Eve. Candles are also used on the Advent wreath, and an eight-branched candelabrum is used during Chanukah or Festival of Lights. Kwanzaa observers light seven candles called the mishumaa, while Pagans used candles during the Yule celebrations.

Today candles come in all shapes and sizes. Their uses span an assortment of Christmas centerpieces that leave dining room tables, sideboards, end tables, and more dazzling with their glowing lights. The essential oils such as pine, cinnamon, and gingerbread added to candles allude to the true smells associated with Christmas.

One of my favorite Christmas centerpieces, which is very elegant looking, yet very simple and cheap to make, involves, a clear glass plate, blue and silver glitter for crafts, and three pillar candles. The pillar candles are small, medium, and large, and the small and large ones are the same color either blue or silver, while the medium is the opposite color of these (blue or silver). Also needed is craft glue that dries clear, and a small one-inch wide paintbrush. (Other colors can be used.)

On the back of the glass plate, working in small areas, brush on a thin layer of craft glue and then sprinkle the blue and silver glitter over the wet glue. Let the area dry completely before moving onto the next section. Cover the entire back of the glass plate with glue and glitter, and let it dry for 24 hours.

TIP: Place a small bowl on the table. Next, set the glass plate face down over it, backside up, to dry.

After 24 hours, brush on another coat of the craft glue to the back of the plate, over the glitter and let dry again for 24 hours. This is to ensure the glitter will adhere properly and not flake off.

Turn glass plate right side up and position it in the center of the kitchen/dining room table. Arrange the three pillar candles on the glass plate and light them. Turn out all the lights in the room. The glow from the flames will make the glitter shimmer and sparkle.

This technique can also be used with a glass globe, which produces a similar affect. Prepare the inside of the glass globe in the same way the back of the glass plate was done. After the inside has completely dried, insert a small pillar candle in the top (opening) of the globe.

Small Christmas garland can be placed on the table around the edge of the glass plate or globe, and with any candles, be mindful of the possibility of a fire.

By lrisy.com