Integrating Candles into Halloween
The cool, crisp autumn air and changing of the seasons serves as a delightful precursor to the fun of Halloween celebrations, and while children gear up for a night of dress up and trick-or-treating on All Hallow’s Eve, adults join in on the frightful fun with their own costume parties and events. Such get-togethers would not be complete without a good-natured collection of scary seasonal decorations to charm and entertain, and creative candle integration is the perfect way to set the stage for a festive Halloween holiday.
Below are some of our favorite creative ways to implement candles this time of year:
- The most classic use of candles on Halloween is of course the placement of votive candles or tea lights into a hollowed-out jack-o-lantern. Once the scary (or friendly) face of choice has been created, the burning candle within shines through the openings and allows the flame to playfully project light onto nearby surroundings. Rich in tradition, this Halloween decoration serves as a great decoration for a front porch or walkway.
- Candles may also be used to light a walking tour of your own “haunted mansion.” Along with the ghosts, ghouls, and goblins that accompany any proper haunted house, the flickering flame of a simple taper candle when carried down an ominous path will cast ghoulish shadows along the wall, sure to produce howls and shrieks of delight from all who enter.
- For Halloween parties hosted outdoors, one fun and quirky way to light a walkway for guests is through the use of luminaries, which are easy to create and require only a few materials. The look is accomplished by placing a simple tea light or votive candle into a paper bag that’s been weighted with sand. These are then lined along walkways or driveways to provide light for passers-by, and tiny designs cut into the sides of the bags add a customized touch to this quaint and purposeful decoration.
- Fragrance is an important part of any celebration, and Halloween is no exception. With the ambrosial smells of candy corn, chocolates, and other goodies wafting through the air, a scented candle releasing complementary aromas of sugary goodness can serve as the perfect complement to a smorgasbord of sweets. The trick-or-treaters in the neighborhood will be sure to come running.
- For those planning to go all out for a Halloween party at home, candles serve as a dramatic backdrop for a night of spooky diversion. Harsh overhead lights can quickly kill the spooky mood, but the soft glow of candles creates quite the opposite effect. They can quickly put guests at ease or on their toes, depending on the desired effect.
- A candelabra adorned with elegant taper candles adds an excellent touch to any Halloween celebration, and its antiquated look makes a statement all its own. Creamy white or ivory tapers convey the look of an ancient castle, while a mix of black and orange can set a more contemporary, funky tone. Another option is to pair a simple candle with modern, seasonal holders in the shape of ghosts, jack-o-lanterns, or witches’ boots.
- The pageantry of Halloween wouldn’t be complete without the traditional front porch décor that has become a staple for this celebration. Outdoor lanterns lit by pillar candles are bewitching when placed alongside seasonal items, such as pumpkins and gourds. Cascading this arrangement down the front porch steps or along a walkway will illuminate the celebration long into the night.
- If attending Halloween celebrations at a friend’s or relative’s home this year, bringing along a gift for the host or hostess is a one way to show your appreciation and gratitude. Candle gift baskets, candle holders, and jar candles are popular hostess gifts, and the candle is likely to stick around much longer than the season’s candy.
From setting the stage for a spooky event to filling a room with sweet scent, candles can serve in a variety of capacities for Halloween and other special celebrations. The holiday would be far less celebratory without the requisite pomp and pageantry, and candles are just one way to light up the night for a terrifically spooky time that comes but once a year.
Topics: Notes From Us |