Today: Lighting a candle (and an Old Factory Candles giveaway)

While I imagine candles were invented out of necessity (you know, like, before an old person invented the Clapper to clap on all the lights in the house), these days, they do more than help us read once the sun’s gone down.  For me, lighting a candle is the perfect daily ritual.

lighting a candle

We light candles atop cakes to celebrate birthdays.  We light a candle in the window for those far away.  We light pine scented candles in our first apartments when there’s no room for a real Christmas tree (just me?).  We light candles to offer prayers.  We light candles to set the mood (for the record, I was thinking of dinnertime and the “it’s time to eat” mood, not the other kind of mood… though I supposed that counts, too). We light candles at weddings, at baptisms and at funerals.

Lighting a candle is such an easy way to bring some of that celebration or ritual into a regular Tuesday.  Or Wednesday.  (You catch my drift.)  That small, simple act marks the start of something.  It could be the beginning of a great meal, or five minutes of prayer or meditation, or time to get lost in your thoughts.

Lighting a candle is how I come back to Earth, so to speak, on wild days.  Once the match is carefully discarded (safety first, mindfulness second, people!) and I see that brightly burning wick, the rest of my day seems to come into focus.  Few small rituals enable me to turn my thoughts off, while at the same time, turning my attention on, so effectively.  Bonus points for the added benefits of aromatherapy (and let’s be real: what smells better than a Christmas tree?).

Old Factory Candles giveaway

I recently received a complimentary gift set of Old Factory Candles and am thrilled to be hosting a giveaway today.  Each set includes three 2 oz. scented, natural soy candles in a range of themes.  I chose Spa Day (you know how people have those “I’d rather be golfing” bumper stickers? I want one that says “I’d rather be getting a manicure”), and have been enjoying scents of cucumber, green tea and (my favorite) lemongrass.  I like that these candles are small and come in unobtrusive packaging (the labels peeled easily off each jar); the scents are subtle and not at all overpowering.

One randomly chosen reader will receive a gift set of their choice (you can find all 11 themed sets online) courtesy of Old Factory Candles.  Here are a few of my recommendations for the lucky winner:

  • Winter Wonderland (hot cocoa, roasted chestnut, first snow)
  • Fresh and Clean (lemongrass, olive blossom, fresh linen)
  • Newborn Baby (baby powder, first blanket, baby shampoo)
  • Man Cave (straight razor, leather, mahogany… very Ron Burgandy)
  • Coffee Shop (coffee bean, hazelnut, chai tea)

To enter, please leave a comment below.  A winner will be chosen and notified on Friday, December 19th. Many thanks for entering!  The winner (Kim R.) has been notified.

Also On Tap for Today:

What daily (or occasional) ritual helps you wind down?

Comments (21)

  • Amy

    December 16, 2014 at 10:50 am

    I seem to love candles year round–but, now that I have moved into my first home, it seems even more soothing to light a candle now that it’s winter:) cozy, warmer with at least one candle lit!

  • Shannon

    December 16, 2014 at 10:59 am

    I’m a candle girl too! There is something ritualistic about lighting one and enjoying the soothing, cozy effects. Somehow, it makes home feel more like home.

  • Carol

    December 16, 2014 at 11:20 am

    Love that coffee shop variety, sounds amazing!

  • Karen

    December 16, 2014 at 11:34 am

    Winter Wonderland sounds yummy.

  • Kim

    December 16, 2014 at 11:48 am

    I love candles and I still light pine tree scented in my house because I go with an artificial tree each year. I would love the spa set to have during the rest of the year to set a relaxing and peaceful tone in the house.
    Kim recently posted…It’s been a year, How’d I do?My Profile

  • Phoebe

    December 16, 2014 at 11:49 am

    I used to think candles were just a waste of money but recently I’ve found having a candle lit so relaxing and centering. So now I need more candles in my life! That Spa Day set sounds lovely!

  • Lindsay

    December 16, 2014 at 1:48 pm

    i love candles!! the lemongrass one smells great, i bet. i always, always, always read a book before i go to bed. best way to relax.

  • Enid Reggie

    December 16, 2014 at 1:57 pm

    You speak my candle language. Just got one yesterday so we could pretend our very fake tree is just a little bit real.

  • noel

    December 16, 2014 at 2:46 pm

    Candles are amazing at setting a mood, i love the clean scents best

  • Cellabella

    December 16, 2014 at 2:47 pm

    I’d love the chance to win, the names of the candles are awesome!

  • Kelly

    December 16, 2014 at 2:56 pm

    I love candles, and love the unique scents they have! Um, newborn baby? Genius!
    Kelly recently posted…J: Safety in IgnoranceMy Profile

  • Kelsey

    December 16, 2014 at 3:00 pm

    These look so soothing!

  • Stacie

    December 16, 2014 at 3:27 pm

    What incredible candles with incredible scents (i.e. the coffee shop!)

    Thanks to you and Old Factory Candles for the giveaway 🙂

    P.S. Congrats on your/Grace’s first 5k–go mama go!

  • Bill

    December 16, 2014 at 7:35 pm

    These look amazing, perfect for holiday entertaining or gift giving!

  • mindy @ just a one girl revolution.

    December 17, 2014 at 10:18 am

    I seriously NEED that coffee shop set in my life!!
    mindy @ just a one girl revolution. recently posted…5 tips for epic fitness goals.My Profile

  • Jennai

    December 17, 2014 at 10:29 pm

    I love coffee, so the Coffee Shop scents would be awesome!

  • Alison

    December 17, 2014 at 10:47 pm

    Chai tea candle sounds amazing!

  • Alison

    December 18, 2014 at 9:57 am

    My husband and I love candles and can’t get enough of them during the winter! We have an embarrassing number of candles in winter scents throughout our apartment!

  • Beth

    December 19, 2014 at 6:16 am

    Winter Wonderland would be awesome, thanks!

  • Ashley C

    December 20, 2014 at 11:01 pm

    The Winter Wonderland collection sounds nice!

    demureprincess7(at)gmail(dot)com

  • Molly Galler

    January 12, 2015 at 6:04 pm

    I’ll take one “I’d rather be getting a manicure” bumper sticker, please!
    Molly Galler recently posted…Golden Globe Awards 2015: Best DressedMy Profile

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