Some people may say that candles aren’t really a “guy thing”. Well, this is not entirely true. A man’s household says a lot about himself. If you are single, you will dress up if you are interested in meeting a significant other. The same thing goes for the home, guys. There are plenty of ways to tidy up and add small touches that will show that you respect yourself as a man. I have met more women by throwing a wine party and showing that I can clean up and be a respectable host than when I used to throw a keg in the backyard and just throw away the empty pizza boxes.

The most important thing to remember is that candles aren’t about fruity or perfume smells. Choose a candle like a cologne. Take some time to find something you like. A great place to start is your favorite clothing or furniture store. There is a reason that you like those stores and many times they carry candles. I have found great candles at Banana Republic, Pottery Barn and Pier1. Candles set a mood that is powered by two very powerful senses: scent and light. Use these senses to your advantage. Women want to smell musk when they are around a man. Fruity is for girl time, trust me. There is also the advantage of the lighting effect. Candle light creates a natural glow for skin and it accentuates features that actually make people look more attractive. Think of it like beer goggles, but she will actually remember.

The most important thing to remember is that you are choosing the right candle for you. If you like simple style, look for earthtones like brown or green. There is a candle to fit every taste. This is a very easy thing to do, and it is simply complimenting the mood. Stick to moderation. Two candles and one for the bathroom shows thought and style. Whether you are having a party or just inviting over a date, you’ll score some points.

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When you breeze by candles in a store, what usually comes to your mind? Yummy scents? Decorating? Yes, it’s true, candles smell great and really create a wonderful accent to any type of decor. However, candles are also used in life events to symbolize certain feelings and emotions. For example, do you realize that candles have been used for years to symbolize unity, new beginnings, hope and remembrance?

Candles are also a helpful way to bring on desired feelings, for example, healing and romance. It’s my hope that by reading this article, you’ll appreciate how candles represent much more to all of us than just a cool accent in our homes.

Birthday Candles Symbolize New Beginnings & Entertainment

Have you ever been to a birthday party where there were no candles on the cake? If so, I’m sure you felt like something was missing. Blowing candles out on a birthday cake is tradition! What makes for better entertainment than watching an adorable little child making a wish and blowing out birthday his/her candles? Their eyes are filled with wonder and at the moment they blown out their candles, they are sure that all of their wishes and dreams will soon come true!

Wedding Candles Symbolize Unity

Candles have been used for many years in wedding ceremonies to powerfully illustrate the lifelong unity and commitment that is being created between a bride and groom. Two candles are lit representing the bride and the groom as separate individuals. The candles are then blown out to symbolize the end of the “only thinking of yourself” frame of mind. One larger candle is then lit to represent the one unified life the couple has now created. What a beautiful way to symbolize the love between two people.

Candles are Used to Heal

Aromatherapy candles have been a trend in the candle industry for several years now. Why? Aromatherapy candles are made with essential oils, which are used to help people feel and create more positive emotion in their lives. For example, a very popular essential oil is Lavender. Breathing in the scent of lavender helps people de-stress and promotes a feeling of peace and calm. Who couldn’t use a greater sense of calm in today’s hectic world? So many people today are burning aromatherapy candles because it’s a simple way and enjoyable way to benefit from the healing power of essential oils.

Candle Vigils Symbolize Unity, Hope & Remembrance

What do you think of when you see people participating in a candle vigil on a dark night? No matter what the purpose of the vigil is, I see people standing together united, holding on to their burning candles, with the flames representing their deep feelings of hope for their cause. Even when I light a candle in my home at night, the flame gives me a feeling of hope for whatever hardships I may be encountering in my life.

A memory that will always stand out in my mind was a few nights after September 11th. Our Nation was experiencing extreme sadness, anger, terror and grief, but at night, we lit candles at 7:00 and placed them outside to symbolize that we were remembering and praying for those we had lost and for their families. I have never felt such a powerful feeling of national unity in my life.

Candles are Used to Symbolize Romance

When it comes to creating a romantic atmosphere at night, candles are a must. Just think about it, when you imagine yourself having a romantic dinner with your special someone, candles are always on the table. Candles really help to set the mood for love, whether it’s on the table, relaxing in the living room with your spouse or in the bedroom. There is something about being in a room only lit by candlelight that automatically creates a feeling of romance. Beautiful warm glows soften peoples faces…everyone looks better with candlelight. Candles cast beautiful warm glows on when you see a romantic dinner for candle lit dinners, create a beautiful atmosphere for romance.

As you can see, candles can symbolize different things to different people. No matter why you decide to burn them, candles add such a beautiful, peaceful glow to our world, so keep them burning!

About the author: Carolyn O’Conner is the creator of CandleFind, an online community where candle lovers enjoy unbiased, entertaining scented candle reviews. To share your opinions of your favorite and not-so-favorite scented candles, stop by Carolyn’s popular Candle Review Board.

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Before I say anything else, I have to tell you that gel candles are invariably better looking than traditional wax candles. That is not surprising, considering the fact that their unique nature means that gel candles need not be completely solid in appearance. So they can be translucent and multi-colored, and offer ample scope for ornamentation. For instance, some manufacturers embed small colorful items like seashells and beads within the gel to come up with an exclusive look, or there are others who add swirls of color to their gel candles, creating a lovely work of art.

From experience, I have also found that gel candles last nearly twice as long as ordinary wax candles. Only a couple of days ago, as I was browsing through the stock at my regular candle-supplies store, I heard a woman place an order for 20 gel candles. When she caught me looking at her, she explained, “They’re for our mountain cabin. We didn’t want to spoil the ambience with electric lighting, and these candles each last at least three evenings!” In the case of aromatic gel candles, of course, this means longer-lasting light and fragrance.

However, some people still have a few misgivings about gel candles, primarily, I suspect, because they burn at much higher temperatures than wax candles. My answer to all these people would be, adopt certain safety precautions, follow manufacturer’s instructions, and you’ll be fine! Besides, most respectable gel candle makers take great care to ensure that the glassware that contains the gel is strong enough to withstand the high temperatures and doesn’t crack, because not only does a gel candle produce high temperatures, but it does so for a longer time, since it burns much longer than a wax candle. Having said that, one of the basic precautions to use with gel candles is not to move a lighted or just snuffed out gel candle. Wait until it has cooled before you pick it up.

The other supposed drawback of gel candles is that they cost a lot. In reply, I would say that the price is entirely justified considering the durability of the candles.

Because they are easy to make, and supplies are abundantly available, gel candles have also become a great favorite with amateur candle makers. That is how I started out making these candles at home, and in no time at all, they had become a rage among my friends and acquaintances. The logical next step for any amateur candle maker is to set up a small business in gel candles, and in fact, such businesses are now burgeoning, as a casual online search will tell you.

Estelle Rodriguez of Sacramento is a 36-year-old single mother who runs a small gel candle business that employs three people. We have friends in common, and the last time I saw her, Estelle complained that such was the popularity of her supplies that she was almost afraid of new orders coming through and was seriously thinking of shifting her home-based ‘manufacturing unit’ to larger premises and taking on more staff.

However, if you do start making gel candles at home, please be sure to adopt all the required precautions such as those to protect your skin. Also, make sure you use the right kind of glassware.

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Tania Penwell is a successful author who provides information on gel candles and handmade gel candles for Candles 4U - your guide to candles and candlemaking.

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