Let there be light . . .

January 10, 2016

I love to light candles in my home, especially during the dark days of winter. They are so cheering, and bring such a warmth to a home.

We always light candles for dinner, year round. And turn off the lights. One night, after a friend's child had been staying with us for several days, he sat down to the dinner table and sighed. "Why do you eat in the dark every night?"

Well, it's not to everyone's taste, but we like it.

I love to use wooden matches. There's something satisfying about hearing that sharp scratch of a wood match across the side of the box. And wooden matches light much more reliably than the paper matches, which sometimes bend or break when you're trying to light them, or don't light at all. And we've all had that experience of the flame getting perilously close to our fingers as we hurry to light a candle or a number of birthday candles. Wooden matches are plenty long enough, especially if you buy the long reach ones (great for lighting a fire in the fireplace).


And those lighters? Ugly, and kind of annoying. Something about using them in church to light a unity candle during a wedding, or a candle in the Advent wreath, that spoils the aesthetic. You know, that click, click, click as you try to get a flame going.

I've bought those pretty boxes of wooden matches that they sell in gift stores, but at $6.95 or so a pop, they get expensive for daily use. The boxes from the grocery store aren't very attractive.

So here was my idea . . . 


Easy-peasy. Just some double-sided tape and a pretty piece of scrapbooking paper. Cover the top and bottom of the match box only, leaving the sides uncovered for striking. Now pretty enough to sit out on the table next to the candles.


The extra long matchbox can lay with the uncovered "strike" side face down on the mantel.
Do you dine with candles? Or have one burning during a cloudy, wintry day?

Sharing at No Place Like Home.

20 comments

  1. That's BRILLIANT, Deb! I *love* your pretty birdie paper you chose, too!

    I don't use matches much because we got a bum box last time and half of them won't light and then about the 3rd or 4th one that does - after all the attempts the whole house smells like sulfur - and my lovely scented candle has trouble masking it.But you are right - it is much more romantic and nice....IF you get decent quality matches, haha.

    And as far as candles - I burn them from literally the minute I wake till the minute I go to bed. I ALWAYS have a candle burning, every single day of the year. I honestly can't remember a day I didn't. I rotate the burning, always blow out after an hour or two of burning so it can cool off and I can trim the wicks down - thus not "tunneling" and wasting any wax. And I save all my old wax, remelt and repour so I use every single bit of wax. I buy expensive candles and it is worth it to save the extra and repour - plus it's a fun thing to do. I usually ask a daughter or a niece to come do with me, and we make a big fun day of it. : - )

    Nice post - been away from pc for quite a few days and need to catch up - and also share - lots of fun neat stuff. Hugs. Love ya. ♥

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  2. The perfect solution, my friend, and it's ever so pretty! I keep our box of matches hidden for the same reason. I love eating with candles, bu sadly my husband is not a fan of it. He likes to "see" what he is eating {{smiles}}

    Hugs and joy to you!

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  3. Excellent solve! I seldom use candles during meals, though they burn often around here in any season.

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  4. I have used the wooden matches often but I use a lighter with a bendable end for the most part. I haven't used candles on the table for a long time, your candlelit dinners sound romantic.

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  5. That is such a brilliant idea, simple but effective. We don't often dine with candle but we do have candle lit on a daily basis.

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  6. I prefer the long matches too. I'm such a wimp when it comes to lighting candles and don't like the flame to get too near my fingers. Love your idea for decorating the box.
    Liz

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  7. Lovely idea,we only light candles some times but every time I say we should do it more often. I do like especially the little glasses I covered in diamond dust lit with tea candles inside. they sparkle at night.

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  8. Yes, my friend, I love lighting candles. There's just something about the soft glow that is so cozy.
    Your paper covered boxes are so pretty and so inexpensive to make. What a clever idea!
    Hope you have a beautiful day!

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  9. Dearest Deborah,
    Yes, both of us are very fond of eating by candle light. Guess the Dutch, coming from a country that produces lovely wax candles, it is inherited. But since we do have kittens, we only use them if we have company and the dining room remains off limits for the fur babies! Too dangerous...
    Candles add such a soothing, calming and romantic touch to an evening! We need that more than ever in this time and age.
    Love your pretty box! Got one from a dear blogger friend in The Netherlands that was mighty pretty.
    Hugs,
    Mariette

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  10. I rent so I am not allowed candles but I have LED candles instead and now I prefer them! Some are scented and they come in all sizes. I love the timers built in so I can set them once and they come on every night for 5 hours. No need for worry of fire and no need to light them. I have them everywhere for a lovely soft flickering glow.

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  11. Hi Deborah, Yes, we love to light candles and often have a soft glow in the kitchen while eating dinner. We also use the faux styles and enjoy them very much.
    Love your sweet little covered box of matches. What a terrific idea and looks so pretty left out by the candles and ready to use.
    Thanks for sharing your creativity. Have a blessed week. xo

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  12. Candlelight is so pretty and I like lighting candles frequently. We don't eat by candlelight regularly, though. What a good idea. Have to laugh at the comment from the friend.
    Wooden matches are the best. Your solution to the ugly box is great.

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  13. I adore candles, Deborah, and I would love to eat by candlelight but my hubby finds it too dark and my kids always did too. Guess I'm the only romantic in the family. I agree about the long wooden matches and you've come up with a very pretty package to keep them in. I bought a package of really long matches and they came in a box with the Eiffel Tower on it. It had been expensive but I got them on sale at a little shop way out in the country. Been using them ever since when I want to light a big candle or group of candles. Thanks for the idea to pretty up the box!

    Blessings,
    Sandi

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  14. Hi Deborah, I love your post. I love candlelight but with cats, I'm nervous to have them now. I love your idea of making the match box pretty. Funny story....through all of the years and MANY moves, John and I still have a match box from the 1960's that belonged to my dad. He had stored picture hanging hooks inside! I will be emailing you a private message.

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  15. Out of the mouth of babes. Hee! Love how you prettied up the match boxes!

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  16. We love lighting candles at night! I love how you made the match box cover look so pretty with that paper. Thanks for your lovely visit and have a nice week.
    Julie

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  17. Hi Deborah,
    So pretty. I love the craft paper to cover the match boxes. Especially on special occasions they will look much more attractive on the table. Thank you for sharing your idea. Have a Wonderful Week Dear Deborah! Karen

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  18. Hi Deborah,
    Just stopping by to let you know that this post will be featured at No Place Like Home on Monday. Have a wonderful weekend.

    Blessings,
    Sandi

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  19. Hello Deborah,

    Now that is a gorgeous match box. What a cute idea. Now display your matches proudly. They will certainly steal the show.

    Hugs,

    Janet

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  20. Hi Deborath,,, i love your house and your blog ,, you have a new follower
    Angelica

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