Scented Votive Candles
Scented votive candles are a wonderful way to test out different fragrances. Although smaller than pillars or jars, these small wonders can still provide an enjoyable aroma. And if you can find triple-scented candles in votive size, that's an even bigger treat!
Votives tend to come in one general shape (a round cross-section), but the sizes may vary a wee bit.
Choosing Your Candle's Wax
Votives are wonderful because they can handle any kind of candle wax easily. The wax melts and fills the votive holder, so your biggest concern is getting the right size holder.
Glass Votive Candle Holders
The ideal glass votive holder will fit the candle snugly, or perhaps with a little space around the sides. The holders shown in this photo are maybe a little large, but adequate.
What you don't want is a holder that swallows the scented votive candle. The reason? When the wax melts, it first tries to form a pool near the wick. When that overflows, it runs down the side. If there is too much room, the candle flattens, exposing more wick, causing it to burn faster, etc.
Other Holder Information
A thick ceramic is useful for the candles, but please don't use anything very thin (glass or ceramic). The reason? The glass can get very hot, and if it's stressed enough, it can shatter. So please, although they are indeed pretty, don't burn votives in champagne glasses.
Scented Votive Candles - What Kind?
If you want the most fragrance from your candles, choose triple-scented. Lacking that, choose soy votive candles or other vegetable wax. Paraffin candles really don't give you much fragrance.
As as experiment, I have some (paraffin) votives from several years ago, still wrapped up tightly to preserve the scent (they smelled great when I unwrapped them). I placed two in my office. I burned them for a short while yesterday. I walked in here this morning and there was no scent, not even from the wax itself, unless I brought it up to my nose.
On the other hand, I have a tiny sample (about 1/8 ounce) of triple-scented candle wax, and that when I open the tiny bag, fills the whole room with scent.
Votives for Decoration
If you are wanting votives for a dinner table decoration and plan to burn them, you may actually want an unscented candle. The reason? So that the scent of the candles doesn't conflict with the tastes and smells of the food.
On the other hand, if you plan to burn the votives for decoration, but not at a dinner table (at least not when eating), then richly scented votive candles may be just what you need.
If you haven't looked already, check out the burning a candle page, for tips on a longer candle life.
Enjoy using your votives!
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