Lit from the end of November to the first week of January.
The whole Christmas candle range in one place — hand-finished pillars and ball candles in mirror glass and lacquer, twisted and spiral dinner candles, scented soy jars, and the occasional sculptural piece for the mantelpiece. Designed in England, finished by hand, and made to look considered rather than novelty.
Choosing candles for the Christmas table
Work in three heights. Tall tapers give the table its vertical line, pillars hold the middle, and low ball candles sit in the gaps without blocking anyone's view across the table. A run of candles all the same height reads flat, however good each one is on its own.
Group in odd numbers — threes and fives sit more naturally than pairs and fours. And keep to two finishes at most: gold with cream, silver with white, or a single deep colour against brass. More than that and the table starts competing with the food.
Where scent belongs, and where it doesn't
Scent works in the hall, the sitting room and the bathroom — anywhere people arrive or pause. Keep the dining table unscented, or very lightly scented at most. A strong fragrance beside the food fights the meal you have spent the morning cooking.
Burning them well
On the first lighting, leave a candle burning until the melted wax reaches the full width of the surface — usually an hour or two for a pillar. Wax has a memory, and a first burn that tunnels will tunnel every time after. Trim the wick back to about 5mm before each lighting for a steadier flame and less soot on the glass.
For something to set them in, see candle holders. There are more dinner candles and scented candles in the year-round range, the rest of the season is in Christmas, and the tree itself in glass baubles.
