Unlock the power of the not so humble tea light

There are two keys to using tea lights successfully.

First, when you think tea lights, think quantity. A single tea light is a poor, lonely thing, pining for its fellows.

Second, think containers. Glass or metal in particular completely transform the self-effacing tea light....

Put them inside cut-glass wineglasses. Even inexpensive embossed glasses are transformed with a tea light inside. Enhance the effect by grouping glowing glasses on a polished tray- silver for preference, but other colors work equally well.

And remember that although they are comparatively tiny, they can burn for four (or even more) hours.

Put them in transparent holders. Arranged around a table centerpiece, they will provide lots of light at the table level - but remember to add taller candles to light your guests' faces as well.

Or look for colored glass containers. There are plenty designed especially for tea lights; equally, you might spot something you can adapt to achieve a totally unusual effect.

What about arranging tea lights in a long shallow container (glass, metal, wood or pottery work equally well) surrounded by decorative objects - stones, shells, balls, even unshelled nuts.

<< Previous    [1]  2    Next >>