Is It Candle Day Today?

Candle Day is an unofficial holiday celebrated every year on February 2nd. While the exact origins of Candle Day are unclear, it’s believed to have started sometime in the 1990s. The day was created as a way to celebrate candles and all the joy, light, and coziness they bring into our lives.

Candle Day highlights the simple pleasure of lighting candles throughout your home. The soothing glow and comforting scents of candles can warm up even the darkest winter days. As an unofficial holiday not tied to any religion, government or group, people are free to mark Candle Day however they please.

Popular ways to observe the day include lighting candles, making homemade candles, trying new candle scents, decorating with candles, or giving candle-themed gifts. Candle Day celebrations bring families and friends together to appreciate the meaningful role candles play in brightening our lives.

When is Candle Day?

Candle Day is celebrated every year on December 7. It always falls on the first Saturday of December. This fun holiday is dedicated to appreciating candles and candlelight.

The exact origins of Candle Day are unknown, but it’s believed to have started sometime in the 1990s. Since then, it has grown into an annual celebration marked on calendars and appreciated by candle aficionados around the world.

Origins

Candle Day was started by the National Candle Association in the 1990s as a marketing campaign to boost candle sales leading up to the holiday season. The NCA chose the date of December 7th since it falls right at the beginning of the winter holiday period. They hoped that promoting a day dedicated to candles would encourage consumers to purchase candles as gifts or holiday decor. The winter months tend to see increased candle usage, as people burn candles for light, warmth, and coziness. So the NCA thought highlighting candles in early December was the perfect way to tap into this seasonal demand.

The National Candle Association spread the word about Candle Day through press releases, retailer partnerships, and consumer-facing marketing. They pitched it as both an opportunity to celebrate candles and a reminder to stock up on candle supplies for Hanukkah, Christmas, Kwanzaa, and New Year’s Eve. Retailers embraced Candle Day as a way to boost sales and would often run specials, discounts, and giveaways around December 7th. Within a few years, Candle Day gained popularity as an annual event for candle lovers. While originally conceived as a commercial campaign, it is now its own beloved unofficial holiday centered around one of winter’s most cherished items – the candle.

How Candle Day Is Celebrated

Candle Day is celebrated by people exchanging candles as gifts and lighting them in their homes. Candlemakers and retailers often have special discounts and promotions for Candle Day. It’s common for people to buy scented candles for their family and friends or exchange their favorite candle scents and varieties.

Stores will decorate with candles and offer deals like “buy one, get one free” on their candle products. Popular scented candles like vanilla, lavender, pumpkin spice, and fresh linen are hot sellers around Candle Day. Many people will stock up on candle supplies like wicks, wax, jars, and fragrance oils too.

Restaurants may even join in the celebration by placing small votive candles or tea lights on each table. The glowing candles help create a warm, cozy atmosphere. Candle enthusiasts enjoy lighting their newest candle acquisitions and relaxing in the ambiance the rest of the evening.

Popular Candle Day Activities

Candle Day offers a great opportunity to celebrate one of humankind’s oldest and most beloved inventions. There are many fun ways for individuals, families, and communities to commemorate the day.

One of the most popular Candle Day activities is candle making. From young children to adults, candle making classes and workshops allow participants to experience the creativity and satisfaction of handcrafting candles themselves. Under the guidance of an experienced instructor, attendees can learn how to make rolled beeswax candles, poured container candles, carved candles, and more. The wonderful aromas and beautiful colors make the whole process a multisensory delight.

Candle lighting ceremonies are another meaningful way to observe the holiday. Groups can gather to light candles in honor of a cause, in memory of lost loved ones, as part of a religious service, or simply to spread light and hope. The soft glow reminds us of the comfort candles have given humanity throughout history.

Donating candles or candle-making kits to those in need is also popular. Local charities, refugee centers, homeless shelters, and impoverished communities often welcome candle donations, which can provide light and uplift spirits. Candle Day presents a perfect chance to share the candle light.

Candle Day Traditions

Candle Day is filled with fun traditions centered around lighting candles and giving candle-themed gifts. Here are some of the most popular Candle Day traditions:

Many families make it a tradition to light candles at dinnertime on Candle Day as a way to celebrate and infuse the meal with a cozy ambiance. Lighting the candles signals the start of the meal and brings the family together.

Exchanging candle-themed gifts is also a beloved tradition on Candle Day. Popular gifts include scented candles, candle holders, wick trimmers, and other candle accessories. Giving candle gifts enables loved ones to enjoy the light and ambiance of candles in their own homes.

Decorating with candles is another way Candle Day is commemorated. People adorn mantles, windowsills, and tabletops with beautiful candles and candle holders. The gentle flicker of candlelight creates a warm, festive mood.

No matter how it’s celebrated, the candles lit on Candle Day shine light on this beloved holiday and bring joy to all.

Safety Tips

When using candles, it’s important to keep safety in mind. Here are some tips for safely enjoying candles:

• Never leave burning candles unattended. Always blow them out before leaving the room or going to sleep.
• Keep candles away from flammable objects like curtains, blankets, paper, trees, and clothing. Position candleholders on sturdy, nonflammable surfaces.
• Use sturdy, tip-resistant candleholders. Trim wicks to 1⁄4” before lighting to prevent high flames.
• Keep candles out of reach of children and pets.
• Always have a “safety zone” of at least 12 inches around a candle.
• Avoid using candles during a power outage when risk of fire is higher.
• Have a fire extinguisher and tested smoke alarms in your home.

Following basic safety precautions will help ensure you can enjoy candles without worry.

Candle Trivia

There are some fun and fascinating facts and statistics about candles that would surprise most people. For example, did you know:

• The average candle burns for around 6 hours.
• Vanilla is the most popular candle scent, making up 18-20% of all candle fragrance sales.
• Cinnamon and pumpkin scented candles are the most popular during fall and winter.
• The world’s largest candle was over 6 feet tall and weighed over 3,000 pounds.
• Beeswax candles are considered the best quality as they burn brighter and slower than other waxes.
• Scented candles can provide therapeutic benefits like stress relief and improved mood.
• Studies show the light from candles can improve sleep quality.
• The record for most candles lit simultaneously is over 132,000.

Candles have been used for thousands of years, but they continue to remain popular today. These fascinating facts and statistics show just how beloved they are around the world.

Popular Candle Sayings

Candles have inspired many famous quotes and proverbs throughout history. Here are some of the most popular candle sayings:

“It is better to light a candle than curse the darkness.” – Chinese proverb

This proverb emphasizes taking positive action rather than complaining about a situation.

“A candle loses nothing by lighting another candle.” – Father James Keller

This quote encourages spreading light, joy and inspiration to others.

“A house is built by hands and not by hands alone; if the house is to stand the builder must be its light and foundation.” – Rumi

Rumi used the metaphor of light to describe love, hope and inner peace as the foundation of a home.

“Candlelight is like eating potatoes by the lump – not as filling as a meal by daylight.” – Charlton Ogburn

This humorous quote refers to how candlelight at night can play tricks on your perception.

“The life of a man is like a candle flame, fragile, ephemeral, but bright while it is lit.” – Ovid

Ovid compared the brevity yet vibrancy of life to the flickering light of a candle.

Conclusion

In summary, Candle Day is a fun holiday that emerged in recent years as a day to celebrate candles and candlelight. Many different activities are enjoyed on Candle Day as a way to appreciate one of humanity’s oldest inventions. The warm glow, calming scent, and flickering light of candles can help create cozy moments and brighten our days. Candle Day provides the perfect opportunity to light your favorite candles and share candlelit experiences with loved ones. This delightful holiday is open to creative interpretations and celebrations. If you haven’t before, consider joining the festivities this year. Light up Candle Day in your own special way!

We encourage all readers to take part in Candle Day this year. Get creative and think up your own way to observe the holiday. Host a candlelit dinner, decorate with candles, swap candle gifts, or simply take time to relax with candles glowing. Any candlelit moment shared with loved ones helps honor this unofficial holiday. Candle Day reminds us to take joy in the simple pleasures of life. The comforting glow of a candle can warm our hearts as we take time to appreciate the light. Enjoy celebrating Candle Day’s illumination, artistry, and traditions.