Votive

 Votive is defined by several dictionaries as : votive 1. Given, or dedicated in fulfillment of a vow or pledge; such as, ‘a votive offering’. 2. Expressing or symbolizing a wish, desire, or vow; as, ‘a votive prayer’; ‘votive candles’.

These candles gained usage in the Roman Catholic Church and this site http://frraul.com/faith/objects/fire.html says of them: “When you enter a Catholic church, you might see a shrine, small side chapels or side altars with statues or icons and rows of votive candles. The word “votive” comes from the Latin “votum” meaning “vow,” and these candles (which aren’t blessed) are, when lit, used to symbolize our prayers, vows of prayer, or simply our honoring God or one of His Saints.

They are lit by the people outside of Mass (before or after, or during simple visits to a church) — usually for a specific intention. It’s a very Catholic thing to say to someone that you will “light a candle for them,” meaning that you will pray for them and ritually symbolize those prayers by the lighting of votives. It’s not uncommon, too, to find these intentions written out and placed near the candles. Another common reason to light votive candles is out of gratitude to God for answered prayers.

We light the candle while praying for our intention or offering our thanks and then leave the flame burning as signs of our prayers.”

So they started as candles used to signify praying for a specific thing or person, but now they are used for mainly as decoration in a person’s home.  The candles used in churches are typically white in color and unscented, but the majority of the other uses are as colored candles for festive occasions or as scented candles for ambience or mood setting.

Votive Candles

 They are often  known as those short little candles that fit almost anywhere and make great holiday decorations.  As they are small they are easily decorated as craft projects and make a great craft project for children to decorate as gifts.

Votive candles are almost always used with a votive candle holder and the holders are available in every color imaginable and also be engraved or imprinted for special occasions like 50th Wedding Anniversaries and other events where a table favor or remembrance is given to each guest. If you are looking to create a certain mood and purple light is part of it, a purple candle in a purple votive holder would lend itself to this endeavor quite well.  Purple candles are available from online retailers and can even be found in local stores.  If you need purple candles as part of table decorations for a large group a little looking and buying in bulk will get the price down to fit into anyone's budget.

Yellow Citronella Votive Candles, Set of 20 Our citronella votive candles punctuate any nook or cranny with a warm, flickering glow. Dot them around the pool or jacuzzi to add magic to your soak! Clean-burning citronella votives are perfect for burning outdoors to help keep bugs away. Burn them in any votive candle holder . For outdoor use…	Lamplight TIKI 1409199 Citronella White Votive Candles, 36-Pack TIKI, the brand trusted by millions, helps create a paradise in your backyard. Create a warm glow with TIKI citronella votive candles. Perfect for use in a variety of votive candle holders. Whether you're entertaining on the patio or by the pool, these votive candles are a must for your backyard.	Patio Companion Terrace Ivory Citronella Votive Candles, Set of 6 Terrace basic ivory Votive Candles for high-style, simplicity and elegance in outdoor decorating. Package of 8 citronella scented Votive Candles. Citronella is proven to repel insects including mosquitoes. With a mosquito-free zone in the yard or on the deck, dining al fresco is more enjoyable and…
Set of 144 Premium Scented Votive Candles, Orange Citronella Set of 144 Scented Votive Candles. Premium 10 Hour Votive Candles. Size: 1.5" Tall x 1.5" Diameter. This set will be professionally packed to arrive quickly and undamaged. We ship QUICK! All orders shipped within 1 business day of your order. All orders received by 3:00 PM will be shipped the SAME…	Set of 12 Square Votive Holders & 12 Votive Candles, Orange Citronella Set of 12 Square Votive Holders and 12 Scented Votive Candles. Square Holders Size: 2" Tall x 2" Wide. Premium 10 Hour Votive Candles Size: 1.5" Tall x 1.5" Diameter. This set will be professionally packed to arrive quickly and undamaged. We ship QUICK! All orders shipped within 1 business day of…	Ceramic Lady Bug Planter / Citronella Candle Holder, Gift Boxed This happy ceramic lady bug planter with citronella candle is great keeping insects away. Once the candle is done, it becomes a handy container. Approximately 3.5" wide x 2.25" High x 4.25" Long. Comes individually picture boxed
Magenta Metal Hibiscus Votive Candle Garden Stake with Six Ivory Citronella Candles This beautiful Hibiscus Garden Stake will add color to your garden and a pleasant glow when you light the ivory citronella candle. We have included a set of 6 citronella candles so you can be up and glowing immediately.	Tomato Citronella Candles – Set of 3 No description available	Lamplight Farms 60Hr Citro Glass Candle (Pack Of 12) 14 Yard & Patio Candles 60 Hour, Citronella Wax Glass Candle, Assorted Glass Colors, Coral Reef Orange, Aqua Mist Blue & Sea Green, In Displayer.

Citronella has been used for years as a pesticide and is safe to use according to the EPA.  Strategically placed small citronella votive candles on the tables or around the deck railing will help ward off those pesky insects.  Votive candles are small and unobtrusive so they wont detract from a nicely decorated table or grilling setup.  They also work nicely as table settings and can add some light and ambiance to any occasion. Since votive candles fit inside of a holder, there should be no concern about spilled wax or burning anything from the open flame.

Citronella votive candles are inexpensive and can be ordered from many online retailers as well as picked up from local stores. Purchased in case lots the individual price falls even further.  Try them out, they will definitely make outdoor evenings more enjoyable.

Battery Operated Votive Candle

A votive candle that is safe around children is a battery operated votive candle. Most of the battery operated candles are made with an LED light that uses very little electricity and will burn for a long time before needing to be replaced.  Even though it’s a battery operated candle the LED light flickers and looks like a real flame, but is cool to the touch. The battery is a small coin sized battery that is replaceable when necessary and the rest of the candle is wax and mimics a real votive candle by feel and look.

Child-Safe

 The candles are child-safe as they have no real flame and do not get hot.  Children can be careless and there are no worries about papers or blankets getting thrown on top of the candle and starting a fire or tipping the candle over and making a wax spill to clean up. Battery operated candles are attractive and can server as an extra night light in a pinch.

On/Off Switch

 Battery operated votive candles are the same size and votive candles with a wick and despite having an on/off switch on the bottom will still fit in a regular size votive candle holder.  The battery should operate the candle for nearly 100 hours and if the on/off switch is used battery replacement should be few and far between.

Safe

 No soot marks to worry about and no spilled wax if the candle gets knocked over so the battery operated votive candles are safe to use on a buffet table setting or on expensive table cloths or even precious family heirlooms with no concern for damage to the table or coverings.  With no actual flame they can be ideal to use outdoors when the weather decides to act up and don’t need constant attention in the outdoor elements.

Battery Operated Candles

 While battery operated candles may not be appropriate for every situation they can come in handy as backup if the weather turns windy or if you are worried about safety with many children about.

Soy Wax

Soy wax is a great natural based product that is eco-friendly and is a cheaper alternative to beeswax. When used with all-natural cotton wicks soy burns clean and odor free. Soy wax can be considered a renewable natural resource and good for the environment. The use of Soy wax helps farmers with any market for their crops and help decrease the amount of petroleum used in the manufacture of products. Soy wax is softer than other waxes and is easier to clean up if spilled. Hot, soapy water will usually perform most of the clean up and there is no scraping involved. Since the wax is softer the candles burn at a lower temperature and have nice steady flame.

Beeswax

Beeswax candles are another natural product and one of the first natural votive candles produced. They make very nice candles and burn with a sweet honey smell. The natural color of the wax is influenced from the pollen sources the bees were gathering when making the wax and is usually a honey color. They too burn clean and promote agriculture as most beeswax comes from apiaries or hobby farmers and is another source of income for them.

Soy Candles, Scented Candles – Supplier of premium soy candles for retail and wholesale. We offer rustic, contemporary, spa, aromatherapy, custom, and even pet candles!

 Some of the unique ideas seen for sale are custom votive candle holders that are frosted or colored and then have a custom design or engraving and are used as favors or remembrances of a wedding or special birthday or 50^th wedding anniversary. A very classy, great way to remember the special occasion.

 Another interesting holder is the hurricane holder and as the name says it is shaped like the globe on a hurricane lamp.  The rounded shape adds elegance to any gathering and they can be found in clear glass or if you want softer light in a frosted opaque glass. The hurricane holder also can be purchased in one of two sizes. They are a smaller holder that the votive candle can almost peak out of or a larger holder that encompasses the entire candle.

 Other shapes are square or even triangular holders that can complement any table setting or decorating scheme.  Round is not the only holder available.  Another shape is the flower pot holder that is a thicker glass and perfect for light on a patio or deck. It emulates a clay flower pot, but is clear glass. Use it with a citronella votive candle and even keep the insects away while you enjoy your evening.

 Votive candle holders even come in a crackling mosaic finish and for an even fancier holder come as gilded jewel toned glass with extravagant designs to accent the candle inside.

Votive Candles

Votive candles are a great decoration for any Holiday.  Votives come in a variety of colors and are even scented to enhance holiday ambience.  They are easy to customize by decorating the glass holders they fit inside.

 Christmas

 For instance, a wide variety of Christmas projects can be made from just a little ribbon and greenery. Wrapping the holder in green or red ribbon  and then  affixing different green sprigs or cutouts from gift wrapping paper can  make a votive candle holder  fit for any occasion.  They work great as table centerpieces and are inexpensive to turn into great looking decorations for large holiday parties.

 Valentine's Day

Votive candles for Valentine’s Day would look appropriate in a red colored holder with a white candle inside. Hearts attached around the holder or even pieces of Valentines candy glued to the holder would be a great way to finish a gift for your Valentine. The opposite color scheme would also work with a red votive candle in a white holder finished in the same way.

 St. Patricks Day

St. Patrick’s Day could feature a green candle in a clear holder or a green candle in a green holder, decorated with shamrocks or leprechauns or pot of gold.  You’re only limited by your imagination and budget.  And with votive candles the budget doesn’t need to be very big.

 Halloween

Votive candles and Halloween work well together. The votive candle fits inside a hollowed out pumpkin and serves to light up the Jack-O-Lantern.  A spice or cinnamon scented candle would round out this fun fall holiday.  Orange votive candles in black holders decorated with spooky Halloween pictures serve to dress-up your party.

 Thanksgiving

Thanksgiving meals are easily adorned with votive candles as table centerpieces on either your main dining table or on the serving table as adornment to the sumptuous food prepared for the holiday feast.  Votive candles placed in bowls surrounded with candy corn and nuts emphasize the season and offer ambience for your guests.

 Votive candles fit in with most any Holiday and can be decorated and placed in multiple settings to accent your party theme.