| Christmas with its traditional red candles may have | | | | gathering. And of course they make great gifts in |
| come and gone, but there are still many reasons to | | | | themselves. Heart-shaped red candles, for instance, |
| keep using the color red right now, either in the form | | | | will get the message across perfectly without a word |
| of a candle or a candle-related accessory. | | | | being said. |
| We are deep into Winter, and days can be dark, | | | | Valentine's Day is also a good time to combine the |
| difficult and depressing. | | | | sensuous appeal of a beautiful fragrance with the |
| What better way to raise everyone's spirits than by | | | | visual impact of a red candle, so it is a good time to |
| using candles in a color that symbolizes energy, life, | | | | go a little overboard in the scented candle |
| vitality and festivity? | | | | department. |
| Red candles have a particularly deep glow and will | | | | While red is the traditional color for love and romance |
| help create a wonderfully warm and intimate | | | | in the West, it has equally good connotations in the |
| atmosphere at any gathering. | | | | East. Feng Shui adherents will tell you that red is |
| There are many shades of red, and it is quite easy | | | | good for encouraging good fortune, and is hot and |
| to ring the changes as the mood takes you. | | | | passionate (right in line with St Valentine's Day colors). |
| While holly-red is traditional at this time, you could try | | | | The Chinese believe it is the color of happiness and |
| a deep burgundy, which is very effective when | | | | luck and their brides wear scarlet, while Indian brides |
| matched to a dark evergreen color. | | | | wear red. |
| Another idea is to use a red candle holder, and | | | | You might not want to go as far as painting your |
| change the color of the actual candle. Red and gold | | | | door red to invite in good luck, but you could look for |
| look good together, so how about red candle holders | | | | fittings and accessories you can team with red. On |
| with gold candles? If you decide to go with red and | | | | the candle front, lanterns can be particularly effective |
| green, a plain black metal candle holder would provide | | | | when teamed with simple red pillar candles, while red |
| good contrast. | | | | gel candles can create a stunning effect. |
| And Valentine's Day is not too far off, and red is a | | | | Do remember that particularly with red, less is |
| traditional color linked to love and romance. Red | | | | definitely more. Try to use red candles boldly but |
| candles can help to set the right mood either for a | | | | with restraint, as red can be overpowering if used |
| secluded dinner for two, or even for a larger | | | | too much. |