Do Votive Candles Need A Container?

What Are Votive Candles?

Votive candles are small candles, typically made from beeswax or paraffin wax, that are burned for prayer intentions or devotional purposes (The History of Votive Candles). The word “votive” comes from the Latin word “votum”, meaning vow or dedication. Votive candles originated as offerings burned in public places to fulfill a vow or for protection. Over time, the Catholic Church adopted their use for private devotions and prayer (Context).

Today, votive candles are commonly used in churches, home altars, and private prayer. Catholics may light a votive candle when praying for a special intention, such as healing for a sick loved one. The candles represent these personal petitions and the desire to offer prayers through the light of the flame. Votive candles are made to burn for 6-24 hours, allowing time for extended prayer and contemplation. They are an important symbol of faith and devotion in Catholic tradition.

Safety Concerns With Open Flames

Votive candles with open flames can pose some safety hazards that need to be considered. According to the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Boston’s guidelines on votive candle safety, open flames always present a fire risk. Votive candles should be kept away from anything flammable including curtains, clothing, books, and furniture. It’s important to place votive candles on a sturdy non-flammable surface. Heat from candles can damage some surfaces like wood or plastic.

Extra precautions need to be taken in homes with children and pets. The open flame and hot wax are burn hazards for kids and animals who may knock over a votive. Children should always be supervised around burning candles. Palm wax votives are a safer option since they burn at a lower temperature than paraffin wax. However, it’s still important to take safety measures and never leave burning votives unattended.

Benefits of Using a Container

Using a container for votive candles provides several key benefits:

• Contain messes from melted wax – As the candle burns down, the melted wax needs to go somewhere. Without a container, the wax can drip down the sides of the candle and make a mess on your table or other surface. A container catches all of the melted wax and prevents messy drips.
• Extend burn time – Containers can help trap the heat from the flame and make the wax pool melt more slowly. This allows the candle to burn longer before all the wax is used up.
• Protect surfaces from heat – The flame from a votive candle can get hot enough to scorch or burn some surfaces, like wood or plastic. A container creates an air gap that dissipates some of the heat and prevents potential damage to your table, shelf, or other surface.

By containing the flame and melted wax, containers allow you to burn votive candles safely and with minimal mess. The glass, metal or ceramic material also adds an attractive decorative element to enhance the ambiance the candle creates.

When Containers Aren’t Necessary

In certain situations, votive candles may not require a container or holder. One example is when using them outdoors. The open air environment reduces the fire risk associated with containerless candles. However, they should still be placed on a fireproof surface and monitored closely. According to HFLtd, candles should be kept at least 10cm apart when used without containers to prevent excessive melting from nearby flames.

Another scenario where containers may not be needed is in supervised environments like churches, events, or ceremonies. Often times groups will use church votive candles without holders because there are people present to monitor them. But they should still take safety precautions like spacing them apart. Floating votive candles in water are also popular for centerpieces at special events. The water acts as a barrier to contain the flame.

In summary, the main times when votive candles may not require holders are for outdoor use, in supervised environments, or as floating candles. But basic safety tips should still be followed, like keeping them spaced apart and monitoring closely. The open flame always presents a potential risk.

Choosing a Container

When selecting a container for your votive candle, you have several material options to consider including glass, metal, and ceramic. Glass containers like jars allow you to see the candle flame and many decorative choices. According to Jar Store, bulk glass candle jars come in a variety of sizes, shapes, and colors to fit any décor.

Metal tins and containers are another option that can offer a more rustic or vintage look. Tins often feature decorative patterns and designs. Ceramic containers provide an elegant and stable option for votives. Ceramic candle holders come in all different artistic shapes and designs from modern geometric to ornate floral motifs.

The size and shape you choose may depend on the specific use and placement of the votive. For example, small glass votive holders work well grouped together while larger pillar candle-size glass jars make more of a statement. Votive tins tend to be on the smaller side and shaped like cylinders or cubes.

When selecting a votive container, make sure it is 1-2 inches taller than the candle to avoid dangerous wax pooling. Also ensure it is sturdy and won’t tip over easily. Wider containers and jars help the wax pool more evenly. Beyond practical considerations, let your own personal style and the décor of the space guide your votive container selection.

Making Your Own Containers

Making your own containers for votive candles can be a fun and creative craft. It allows you to upcycle items around your home into decorative candleholders. This is also a great activity to do with kids.

Some ideas for homemade votive containers include:

• Small glass jars like baby food jars or jam jars
• Teacups or small bowls
• Empty tin cans
• Egg cups
• Small terracotta pots

You can paint or decorate the containers before putting a candle inside. Try using glitter, sequins, ribbons, lace, or scrapbooking paper. For a rustic look, you can wrap jute or twine around a jar. Kids will have fun gluing buttons or pompoms onto their homemade holders.

The great thing about crafting votive holders is you can make them match your decor. Create sea-themed ones for a bathroom by decorating jars with shells, sand, and starfish. For Christmas, paint holders red and green and add mini ornaments. Let your creativity shine!

Using Alternative Holders

You don’t need a votive candle holder specially designed for candles. There are many commonly found household items that can also be used to safely hold a lit votive candle.

Plates, bowls, and jars made of heat-resistant materials like metal, glass, or ceramic can hold a votive candle. The flame needs about 1-2 inches of clearance from any flammable materials, so make sure the rim of the dish is tall enough. Avoid using plastic or other flammable vessels. Center the candle in the dish so it’s stable. Plates and bowls are ideal for grouping multiple candles together.

Candle trays are another option, often made from metal, ceramic, or glass. They can hold multiple candles, with shallow indentations to keep each one upright. Trays allow you to move and carry around a grouping of votive candles. Look for heat-resistant materials so the tray itself doesn’t get too hot.

For a floating candle effect, you can fill a bowl, vase or other glass container with water. Place a votive candle holder in the water, with the candle inside. The candle will appear to float on the water’s surface for an elegant ambiance. Make sure the container is wide enough to avoid tipping over, and deep enough to fully cover the votive holder in water.

Safety Tips

When using votive candles, it’s important to follow some basic safety tips to prevent fires and injuries:

Always supervise burning candles according to Candle Safety Tips. Never leave them burning unattended.

Keep candles away from flammable materials like curtains, books, and furniture as recommended by the Votive Candles & Fire Prevention guide.

Place votive candles on heat-safe surfaces. Avoid surfaces like wood, plastic, and paper which can melt or ignite.

Extinguish candles fully before leaving them. Don’t blow them out which can leave embers. Pinching out the flame or using a snuffer is safer.

Follow other precautions like keeping wicks trimmed and avoiding drafts for best safety as covered in candle burning guides like Candle Burning Guide.

Maintaining Votive Candles

Proper maintenance is key to getting the most out of your votive candles and keeping them burning safely. Here are some tips:

Trimming Wicks

It’s recommended to trim wicks to 1⁄4 inch before lighting to avoid excessive smoking and promote even burning. Use scissors or nail clippers to neatly trim wicks. Trim the wick again if it mushrooms while burning to maintain the flame height. Refer to the manufacturer’s wick trimming guidelines for any specific recommendations (source: https://www.theouterbankscandlecompany.com/blog/candle-care-tips-keep-flames-burning-longer/).

Storing Extras

Keep extra votive candles stored in a cool, dry place until ready to use. Avoid temperature extremes. Storing in an airtight container will help prolong shelf life. Votives can last 1-2 years stored properly (source: https://goodlightcandles.com/pages/candle-care).

Cleaning Containers

To make cleaning easier, pour out melted wax after use while still liquid. Any remaining wax can be removed by placing the container in the freezer until the wax easily pops out. You can also use a hair dryer to heat and loosen wax deposits. Avoid scraping the glass. Use hot water and mild detergent for final cleaning (source: https://fireflyfuel.com/tip-easily-clean-wax-votive-candle-holder/).

Safe Disposal

Hardened wax can go in the trash once cooled. For liquid wax, allow it to fully harden before disposal. Never pour hot wax down drains. Recycle glass containers when possible. Dispose of used wicks with regular trash.

The Purpose and Meaning of Votive Candles

Votive candles hold deep spiritual and religious significance across many faiths. In Catholic tradition, lighting a votive candle represents a prayer offering to God or saints (https://www.saintpats.org/parish/catholics-light-votive-candles/). The flame symbolizes the living prayer rising to heaven. Votive candles allow the faithful to visually translate their prayers into light before God.

Beyond religious uses, votive candles can create a peaceful atmosphere for personal reflection or meditation. The soft flickering light promotes introspection and focus. Many people find the ritual of lighting a candle therapeutic.

Votive candles are also used in memorial traditions. Lighting a candle honors the memory of a deceased loved one. The light represents the enduring connection and the warmth of remembered love. Votive candles are commonly placed at gravesites or memorials.

With their warm glow, votive candles can simply set a mood. Groupings of votive candles create inviting, atmospheric lighting for celebrations, meals, or relaxation. Their versatile ambiance works in both spiritual and secular settings.