Jan 25, 2013

Winter Candles





I love the soft glow of candlelight, and I usually light the candles on the dining room table for dinner.





Then my husband and I play turn-the-dimmer-switch-on-the-chandelier-up-and-down for a few minutes. Do you play that game at your house? 

My soft "romantic" lighting always wins out over his bright "I can't see my food" lighting.

But I don't rub it in or anything...




 
I used to be kind-of paranoid about lighting candles in other rooms of the house, though, because I was afraid I'd forget to blow out the candles before leaving the room and wake up in the middle of the night to the house in flames. 

I tried some battery operated flameless tea light candles for my votive candle holders, but I kept forgetting to turn them off. Those little tea light batteries are expensive to replace!


Then two years ago I found some large battery operated pillar candles at Costco that take AA batteries, instead of the more expensive little wristwatch-type batteries. They were made out of real wax with a recessed wick and looked like normal white pillar candles. I had a $5 off coupon, so I bought the package of four candles for $15. Eight AA batteries were included in the package, so it was a really great deal.   

These candles worked two ways: I could turn them on and off manually whenever I wanted, or I could use the optional switch on the bottom that programmed them to automatically turn on every night at the same time and then turn off after five hours.  





So the first night I went around the room at 5:30, which is dusk in my neck of the woods, and turned on all the candles by moving the switch to "timed." Five hours later, at 10:30, just as I was preparing for bed, they all went off by themselves like magic. And the best part was, they turned themselves on and off everyday at the same time all winter long! I didn't have to light them, blow them out, trim wicks, scrape wax off candle holders, or worry about burning down the house.  




The next year I replaced the two AA batteries that came with the candles because the "flames" seemed to be fading a bit. I considered that a very fair price to pay for peace of mind and beautiful flickering (yes, they flicker!) candlelight every night. 




 I loved these candles so much that last fall when Costco stocked them again, I bought four more. Now I have safe and effortless realistic candlelight all around my home. Can you spot five of them here in my living room?
 



I probably sound like an advertisement, but I have no stake in these candles other than wanting to share how great they are with you. If you're out and about shopping and see some, snap them up. 


I think you'll be happy you did!


Come party with me this week with

Tatertots and Jello
Funky Junk Interiors

13 comments:

  1. I love your candlelight Laurel! And your practcal solution too! I always worry about forgetting to blow out a candle, usually as I'm trying to fall asleep. Then I feel the need to get up and check. Obviously I need some of these candles!

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  2. Love your magic candles! Great idea. Your table setting makes me want to find some candlesticks. You have a great smile, by the way!

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  3. I am a candlelight lover too! I had to snatch up some of the Costco ones last Christmas, and it took every ounce of self control in me to not grab more this year! I love how they just pop on every night to make the house so warm and inviting :) Your home is beautiful Laurel. P.S. That dinner looks absolutely AMAZING

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  4. The candlelight is pretty, and how nice to sit down to eat by candlelight! I'm going to have to find sme of the battery ones, though. I never even knew they existed.

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  5. I see a trip to Costco in my near future! I love all the candles. Have a great weekend, Laurel! ~ Jamie

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  6. Oh my...these look great. I have purchased the small ones at Dollar Tree - 3 to a pack and they last quite a shile. Being an asthma patient the scents of candles aren't friendly to me. IKEA had some great packages of pillars during the holidays in different colors and I stocked up. Might have to travel to Tampa and visit Costco. Thanks for the post.

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  7. I like your alternative for wax candles. I will keep an eye open and will look for those. Everything looks so beautiful. Love your house!

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  8. Oh, Laurel! I love these candles!!! I had no idea they came with a timer! Thank you for sharing. Your living room looks so pretty!

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  9. Love your candles and I am with you! I bought some for my mom last year at Costco and found some at HomeSense that are remote operated - Macy loves those! My dad was a firefighter for 30 years and we don't have candles with flames. I like the peace of mind the battery ones give too. :)

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  10. Laurel what a great idea I love the timer aspect. I wonder if I can find them around here at Cosco Definitely going to look

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  11. I must get some! I have a small set that I used this year to set on the staircase. They made going up and down stairs constantly a whole lot more fun! I will be on the lookout for larger ones!

    I found you over at The Graphics Fairy and I'm so glad that I did! :)

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  12. I love candles too. We're heading to Costco tomorrow, I'll definitely be on the look out for these battery operated ones! We sold them at work last fall, but they were too expensive ($10.00 for one!) so I passed. Love your pictures!!
    Debbie :)

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  13. OK - so you are a wonderful salesman! I'm going to go looking for candles like this at Costco as soon as it stops snowing...

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