OCR Text |
Show Christmas candles actually derive from Saturnalia festival of Rome Candles at Christmas. ..their warm, welcoming glow an indis-pensible indis-pensible part of the festive holiday holi-day scene. And the many customs that surround them add color to the magic aura of the Yuletide. Wax tapers were offered as gifts at the Roman festival of Saturnalia. To the Christian community, the lighting of candles can-dles has the additional symbolic meaning of Jesus as the Light of the World. A beautiful custom, still observed ob-served in Europe, is that of Christmas candles burning in windows, particularly on Christmas Christ-mas Eve. And, in the years of suppression suppres-sion in Ireland, candles appeared in the windows of certain houses so that priests would know where to celebrate Midnight Mass. In Sweden, St. Lucy appears wearing a crown of glowing candles. In Victorian England, tradesmen would give loyal customers cus-tomers an annual gift of candles. Candles still give a special glow to the holidays. And now they can fill your home with the familiar, nostalgic aromas of Christmas. Gingerbread baking in the oven, cranberries simmering on the stove. Or would you prefer the natural scent of bayberry and pine? These and other tantalizing smells are available in holiday candles that will add a warm and impressive air to a glowing holiday holi-day setting. We offer a few suggestions to keep your candles burning brighter. . . Store candles in a dark, dry place. If you have the room, the refrigerator is best; but be sure to wrap them in foil or plastic so they stay dry. Burn candles only 3 or 4 hours at a time and be sure to trim the wick to one-half inch before lighting. Light scented candles about 15 minutes before guests are expected, so that the fragrance will fill the room. Candles are easier to light if you char the wicks first. |