The family table needs a candle or two
Candles bring the mystery to every day.
The family table comes together when there is a candle or two, lit. An unlit candle at supper is rather sad (unless it’s high summer, when I admit I tend to pass them over).
I myself didn’t realize, at first.
I thought of the candles as things to put in the candlesticks: strictly decorative.
What changed? Having a stash of candles! Consider it an investment in your family culture, well worth making a spot in the budget for. Children are filled with wonder when the candles are lit.
You can use votives (affiliate link) if you don't trust your tribe to be civilized with tapers, and if there is a lot of passing across the table, tapers may indeed be risky! But if you do go for tapers, establish a rule early on that they not be touched — it's a bad habit to pick at the hardened drips anyway; just leave them alone.
You can make rules about who lights them and who snuffs them. It's all worth it!
Candles make the table.
For more on the topic of setting the family table, be sure to read this much longer post on my Like Mother, Like Daughter blog!
The School for Housewives brings you short, practical, and thoughtful messages to inspire you to make your home. For the longer version:
Candles are nice but I'm really trying to eliminate all the papers, mail, boxes, magazines, toys off my table. My hubby & son won't stop using the dinner table as his desk/catch all. Help!
Any tips for keeping fingers off the candle drips very welcome. I have children that seem to be committed to rebellion and they literally peel the candles apart no matter what I say. It’s a temptation they can’t seem to overcome.
Also, where do you get good candle holders? Thrift them? Metal? I have lower “crystal” ones and I don’t love them…