Candles Add Charm To A Casual Table

The glow of candlelight always adds a charming touch to the dinner table, even for everyday family meals.

Take a cue from your favorite casual dining restaurant. Just a simple votive candle in a small decorative holder on the table adds special ambiance to your dining experience.

Depending on the size of your table and the number of place settings, you may want to scatter two or three votives amongst your serving dishes or group a few together as a centerpiece.

For a more dramatic look, place several pillar candles of varying heights on a tray or plate in the center of your table and "garnish" the arrangement with items like greenery (silk or live), polished stones or pine cones. Fresh fruits or vegetables can be also placed around the grouping for a more rustic effect. Consider using pillar candles of different textures or colors to add extra visual impact to your centerpiece.

If a traditional candlelit dinner is the look you are after, then taper candles are the right choice. There are a wide variety of candle holders on the market today, from classic triple candelabras to stark modern ceramics. Keep a variety of "looks" on hand so you can choose one that suits your mood and your menu.

One last thing to keep in mind - when choosing candles for your dining table, be cautious about using fragrance. If you can complement the aromas of your food with fragrance, then by all means, go ahead, but unscented candles might be your best bet for all around use.

The growing popularity of candles has made it easy to find them in variety of shapes, sizes and colors at specialty and gift stores everywhere. Even local supermarkets and drug stores have a surprisingly vast selection, so don't hesitate to use candlelight to revamp your dinner table from routine to remarkable.

--- This entry originally appeared on MyGourmetConnection and has been updated for the ZEST blog