Selecting Candles For Dinners, Weddings, And Restaurants
Why Use Candles?
Candles enhance the mood of any dining experience. Although candles can set a romantic mood, the appeal of a burning candle goes well beyond that. The beauty of a flame fascinates and touches humans on an almost primal level. My theory is that this love of watching flames while dining is ingrained into the human psyche.
Primitive humans huddled around open fires for cooking, heat, and protection from wild animals. This evolved into indoor fireplaces used for cooking, heating, and light. Eventually this was replaced by fireplaces used solely for light and heat (cooking being done on stoves in an era when fireplaces were the only source of heat for a room). In modern times the fireplace is still used, but more commonly for ambiance and this desire for a flame while dining is most often attained with candles.I feel that this desire for open flame when dining is in large part an instinctual association that equates fire with warmth and safety. In a time when alternate sources of light and heat are much more efficient, humans still gravitate towards fire. Candles, fireplaces, and even camp fires are still in common use and the one thing they all have in common is an open flame.
There are several advantages to using candles to supply this flame:
Candles are portable (fireplaces are not).
Candles require no maintenance to stay lit (fireplaces require regular attention).
Candles are more compact and can be placed on the table.
Candles can be obtained in many sizes, shapes, and colors for additional ambiance.
Candles are easily extinguished when the dinner is over.
Scented Or Unscented?
If you are selecting candles to burn while dining, always use unscented candles. The accepted practice is to never use scented candles when serving food. The larger the gathering, the more important this becomes.Some people will not like the scent you have chosen, and some may even find it offensive. Different people perceive scents differently.Some people lose their appetite in the presence of scented candles.In larger gatherings there is a very good chance that one or more guests may be allergic to the scent. There is virtually nothing on earth that someone is not allergic to.
Burn Time
Aside from being unscented there is one other important property - burn time. A candle that burns out before the dinner ends will not prove satisfactory. In most cases a well made candle will have no trouble burning for 5 or more hours. The key point here is well made - the burn time of some cheap import candles can often be more easily measured in minutes than in hours.Most quality candle suppliers can tell you the average burn time of their products. Note that this is generally the average burn time under optimum conditions so always select a candle with an average burn time longer than you need. If for some reason you need to purchase from a supplier that can't supply the average burn time, purchase a few and burn them yourself before committing to large quantities.
Candle Types
There are four main types of candles commonly used when dining, at affairs, or in restaurants.
Taper Candles
Dinner tapers are most commonly associated with small romantic dinners at home although they are sometimes used for larger gatherings. Tapers work well and have an elegant refined look. A well made 12 inch long taper candle may burn as long as 7 hours. The main drawback to tapers is they require a holder or candelabra, which may strain the budget when planning an affair.
Floating Candles
Floating candles or floaters as they are commonly called make great additions to your centerpieces. As the name implies, they are designed to float upright in water. These are most popular at weddings and other banquets, however some restaurants use them as well. A common practice is to float several in a large bowl along with some flower petals. Since the candle is surrounded by water, there is a reduced risk of fire should some guests get rowdy. They are available in a wide variety and very large floaters are sometimes used in swimming pools and ponds for outdoor weddings. If using them in ponds, they should be anchored away from shore to avoid setting vegetation on fire. In some areas these are the only type of candles allowed at banquets by law.
Pillar Candles
Most often used in groupings of three or more in varying heights, but sometimes incorporated into floral designs. Pillar candles will burn right to the bottom so it is essential that they be placed on a fire resistant bas such as glass or mirror. Pillars are timeless and a popular wedding decoration.
Votive Candles
Votives are a long burning, inexpensive candle most popular in restaurants. It is important to note that they are not just small pillar candles. Votives require a snug fitting glass holder for optimum burn time, and without it that 15 hour votive may last as little as 1 hour. The more snug the holder the better it will burn, and using an oversize holder will reduce the total burn time. Commonly available in 8, 10, and 15 hour sizes.
Bob Sherman is the author of Candle Making, From Beginner To Expert , several e-books, and hundreds of candle making projects. He has over 36 years of experience and is the tech support expert at
onestopcandlecamera.
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Types of Boating Activities
Boating can be helpful in bringing with you closer with your family and friends if the occasion is used wisely. There are many boating activities which you can try to as-
To Spend Time With Your Family:
Have you ever felt like your family is being pulled away from you? Then what better solution to take them for boating. Whether it's fishing, tubing, skiing or just cruising along enjoying the scenery, there are few recreation opportunities that offer families the chance to reconnect like a day spent together on the water.
Try Saltwater Fishing
Whether its fishing in small bays, trolling the coastal flats or heading offshore for the thrills of big game fishing, saltwater fishing offers great sport for anglers of all levels and abilities. You won't forget this experience.
Go Sailing!
Sailing is more than Just a sport, its a lifestyle that opens up a whole new world for you, your family and friends. In fact, whether youre interested in day sailing, cruising or competitive racing, mastering the art of sailing is a lifelong challenge that inspires passion among enthusiasts and offers a lifetime of enjoyment on the water. There is always something to learn in sailing.
Get Your Scuba Gear:
Scuba Diving is one of the best activities you can try, this experience you wont forget in your entire lifetime. Aren't you curious to know how the 70% of our planet looks like? A lifetime of fun and adventures is waiting, under the sea. Float in clear waters go face-to-face with denizens of the deepscuba diving is a treasure trove of memories waiting to happen. Acquiring the skills to make your first dive is a great family activity and family diving trips offer great bonding experiences.
How About Cruising!
A dream of leisurely exploring the world beyond the shores, traveling to exotic ports or heading out for destinations unknown, Cruising can make those dreams a reality. Many people choose to cruise because they want to get away and have an adventure. For others, cruising represents the ultimate vacation. And a surprising number of people live on their boats full time, making their neighborhoods anywhere they choose to drop anchor.
Boat Offshore
Big game fishing, Cruising, Racing a world of excitement and adventure beckons those willing to lose sight of the shore and head out to sea.
Sleep Onboard
Have you got tired of sleeping all your summer nights at home when you can take your family out on a boat for a long vacation and spend the nights on the water.
Wanna Racing?
Competition, Thrills, Victory Youll find it all in the adrenaline-pumping sport of racing. If you crave competition, racing is an endlessly fascinating sport that delivers a lifetime of challenges and offers enough variety to be accessible to anyone with a need for speed.
A New Entertainment
Boating offers a wide range of recreational activities that makes it a excellent way to entertain friends and family. From an early morning fishing expedition to a day of tubing to a lazy sunset cruise along the coast the possibilities for entertainment on a boat are limited only by your imagination. Whats more, the very act of boating seems to inspire conversation and camaraderie that makes time spent on a boat all the more enjoyable.
Get Wet with Water sports-
Waterskiing, Wakeboarding, Tubing If youre looking to get wet and go fast youll find theres no shortage of fun to be had with a boat. Water sports offer you and your family the ultimate thrills and high-energy adventure they never had.
Fishing in Freshwaters
With nearly 44 million freshwater anglers in the U. S., fishing consistently tops the list of favorite outdoor sports. What hooks people on fishing? Maybe its the variety. Lakes, rivers and streams all offer great fishing and the list of game fishtrout, bass, tarpon, bonefish, sunfish, muskie, bluegillsgoes on and on. Or maybe its because fishing can be as much about spending time with family and friends enjoying the outdoors as much as it is about reeling in the big one.
Arpit Sharma is the webmaster of the site boat-dealers.us">boat-dealers.us on which he is currently working on. In his leisure time he likes to listen music and reading books.
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Vacation In Mexico
Mexico, our neighbor down south is the perfect place for your next vacation. With the Gulf Coast on one end and the Caribbean on another, it is a favorite for many tourists.
Mexico is a study of contrasts of ancient and modern, aside from the landscape, there is the blend of cultures from the indigenous peoples to the cosmopolitan cities and plenty of beaches choose from.
The country spans about 1964,375 square kilometers. It is divided in six regions each with their own attractions for the visitor.
Northern Mexico-Dunes, Desert and Sierra Madre
For those who want a little bit of nature and adventure you should head to northern Mexico. Northern Mexico is made of the states of Durango, Nuevo Leon, Sonora, Tamaulipas, Chihuahua, Coahuila and Zacatecas. There are the mountains of Sierra Madre that provide you with wonderful views of sun rising and setting.
If you like camping and would like to bring back a collection of beautiful pictures of nature you could go to the Cuatro Ciengas desert in Coahuila. There you would not be disappointed with the spectacular views and you must make time to enjoy the natural hot springs.
In Zacatecas, you can go through the streets and see a little bit of Mexicos colonial past. There are many building that are still standing from the period of the very first Spanish settlers. One such landmark is Cerro de la Bufa. And Chihuahua is home to the ruins at Paquime and many collections of traditional art from the Raramuri Indians.
In Guayamas, Bahia de Kino, San Carlos and Puerto Penasco, you can find a lot more features, including zones of archeological interest and more beaches.
Central Mexico
Starting from the northern high plateau to the tip of Sierra Madre range down south, this region has plenty for a person to see in terms of culture and scenery. You have Mexico City, with amazing examples of architecture like the old buildings in the Historic Center and the old world style of Basilica of Guadalupe.
You can visit the many archeological sites open to tourists. There are a number of lakes, rivers, waterfalls, springs, forests and caverns to go to. And if you want to activities, plenty are offered. You can do cave exploring, rafting, scuba diving, nature observing, and rock climbing to name a few.
Anne Morris writes articles about travel. Discover more information about travel at mexico-mama">mexico-mama and guideatlanta">guideatlanta.
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