Tea light candles look great on water

You can put tea lights in shallow glass containers and float them in water-filled bowls.

If you're dining al fresco, create a centerpiece using florist's foam (either a ring or a block) as a base. Soak the foam in water to soften, drain, and then press the tea lights into the foam, spacing them carefully. Then build up the centerpiece using herbs, berries and flowers.

If you're going to use them near food, remember to choose the unscented variety.

And there's that wonderful trick of using candles in a brown paper bag that nowadays seems relegated to lighting the way to youthful parties, but is far too good to be wasted on teenagers.

Put a little sand in a bag, fold over the top a few times to make a more rigid top, cut some holes (or not, as you please) in the sides, and you have a wonderful way to light a drive, highlight a staircase or line the perimeter of a deck.

Tea lights liquefy quickly because they are made of a less refined wax, so make sure you spend a few cents more on getting the right quality, but do throw away any that show signs of smoking.

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