6 The candle holder shape...

Here's where you need to be really careful; unless you know exactly what you're doing, avoid extremes.

• While here are a large number of animal and character shapes available, they have to be matched carefully to the occasion.
  Bees, birds and butterflies (particularly pretty when matched to tea light candles) are popular and are available in solid and transluscent colours.
• Consider slate pillar plates for the really big or multi-wick candles; in fact there is a wide range of coasters and plate holders (some of them beautifully decorated) for pillar candles.

7 ...and the candle itself

By now you should have eliminated a whole lot of possibilities; the holders you are still considering will almost choose themselves.

• For instance pillars (which tend to be chunky anyway), need more substantial holders than the more delicate candles.
• Remember that votive candles must be burned in a holder, because votives are really container candles without a container. If possible go for a straight-sided container as long as the rest of the design pleases you.
  The straight sides will reduce the wax pool that is formed when the candle burns, and the tighter the fit, the longer the candle will burn.
• And finally, if you're in a languid mood, what about the charming bowls, complete with stands, that are specially designed for floating candles?

Now, armed with this handy checklist, try some of the links on this page and see what you can find in the way of beautiful candle holders.