Make your own gel candles - or buy the finished product?

Well, it all depends on which particular itch you want to scratch.

If you're not in a do-it-yourself mood and you know that it's the sparkle, color and fragrance of the increasingly-popular gel candles that you're after, you could try the web sites of any of the reputable manufacturers.

It's worth taking your time and visiting a number of sites, because one of the attractions of gel candles is the wide choice available....

You can find just the right shades to enhance your decor, anything from discreet pastels to strong and vibrant primary colors.

The clarity and brilliance of gel will lift any setting, and you can please the eye AND the nose by choosing one of the many scented gel candles available (would you believe almost any fruit you can think of, freshly-baked pies and even peanut butter?)

Gel candles generally last longer than the same size paraffin ;candle, the scented gel candles have a better scent "throw" (the degree to which the fragrance permeates the room). They also give off more light (about 40% more) because of the clarity of the gel.

You'll find a wide range of containers available, including those with embeds (objects encased in the gel). Glass containers are obviously the most popular, and range from fruit jars to glasses and exotic bowls.

Think quality when making gel candles

  Gel is an area where it pays hands down to buy from reputable suppliers. The gel wax gets hotter than ordinary wax, so the container must be of the right quality.

Many gel candles contain embeds (items put into the wax to make them more decorative/attractive). Embeds range from the wonderfully creative to the dreadfully kitsch, so take a good look at what's available before ordering.

Embeds can also be fire risks if manufacturers cut corners, so make sure you buy from a reputable supplier who will have used non-inflammable embeds - glass is ideal.