Create Affordable Favors That Look Amazing

People who are looking to get the best quality for the lowest price realize that sometimes it is hard to have both.  If you looking for some  inexpensive decorating ideas for place settings at your dinner table or favors at your wedding, these decorated votive cups will fit the bill.  With a little bit of work you can have 1 of a kind decorations at a very low cost.  The price to put together one of these votive holders is under $2.00 and will be even cheaper if you use flowers or greenery from your garden or yard.

What you need to make favor:

• straight sided votive cups
• some ribbon (we used 1 1/2″ wide satin but any kind will do)
• raffia (twine or string can be used)
• double stick tape
• flowers (we used wild flowers on one and a lily on the other but you can use whatever you want, you can also use fake flowers, leaves, berry clusters, etc )
• votive candles to fill the cups

Step 1: Cut a piece of ribbon to wrap around the votive cup and over lap about 1/2″.

Step 2: Stick a small piece of double stick tape to the votive cup right about in the middle.  If you use a thinner ribbon and want it to wrap around near the top or bottom, put the tape on accordingly.

Step 3: Attach one end of the ribbon to the tape, stick a second piece of tape on top and near the end of the ribbon which is now attached to the cup.

Step 4: Wrap the ribbon around the votive cup keeping it as tight and straight as you can.  Press the end of the ribbon down onto the tape to hold it in place.

Step 5: Cut a piece of raffia or twine long enough to wrap around the votive cup 2 times and to tie a bow or knot.

Step 6: Wrap the raffia around the votive cup 2 times (you can do more or less, just cut the length accordingly) and tie in the flowers or greenery you chose for the decorative accent.

I found that with the lily flower, since it had a thicker stalk, it was easier to tie my raffia into a knot then tie the flower in with the bit of raffia that was left.  For the wild flowers, the raffia was loose enough that I could slip them in behind the raffia after I had tied it.

If you are making your decorations up pretty long in advance you might want to stick with fake flowers so that they don’t look dead by the time your guests arrive.  Also, very important note… make sure that whatever you use for the accent does not hang down into the votive cup and create a fire hazard when you light the candle inside.

Decorations for Summer Parties

With the 4th of July coming right around the corner many people are looking for patriotic decorating ideas for their parties.  Lots of decorative accents in red, white, and blue will be used on tables, walls, doors, and windows.  We have a lot of red, white, and blue candles to add to your home decor for the summer holidays but two new products we have found,  really stand out.  There are red, white, and blue star shaped floating candles in 2 sizes, and a 3 piece set of frosted votive cups with red, white, and blue stars on them.  The votive cups will hold a standard size votive candle.  The light shinning through the star shaped cutouts create a really neat light show.  These new candles and candle holders will really make decorating for your summer parties easy.

Another very simple way to decorate for summer is using red, white, and blue pillar candles on a mirror with some beaded garland.  Using pillars of varying heights will make a better display. Since we have very affordable candles that are made in the U.S.A., you can put together an attractive display with quality candles at a great price.

Magnetic Butterfly Accents

The beauty of displays and centerpieces is often enhanced with small decorative accents like ribbon, flower, sand, or garland.  We have a new line of magnetic butterfly decorative accessories that are gorgeous.  These butterflies are hand crafted and hand painted in vivid colors.  Each painted glass section is set in metal cutwork which gives the decorative butterflies as stained glass look.  The butterflies have a small magnetic disc attached underneath so they can be placed on any ferrous (containing iron) metal surface.  In addition, we also include a small suction cup with a built in metal disc which matches up perfectly with the magnet on the base of the butterflies.  With this suction cup these butterflies can be used on a myriad of smooth surfaces including, vases, mirrors, window, candles, and more.  These decorative accents can be use all around your home or at events such as weddings or banquets.  Our wide selection of available colors means you are sure to find glass butterflies to match your color scheme.  For other accents and decorative accents checkout U.S. Candle Company.

Scented Candles

Scented candles… what is it about them that makes them so popular? Is it that scented candles are merely a tool to freshen the air in our homes? I think the reason scented candles are so popular is more than that. Our sense of smell is very closely tied to our memories. Have your ever been somewhere and suddenly out of nowhere caught a whiff of something that instantly caused you to remember an event, place, or person from your past. I know I have.

Scented candles can have the same effect. When you find a candle that reminds you of home, a friend, that first kiss… that candle becomes more than just an air freshener. At U.S. Candle Company we offer such a wide variety of fragrances so you can find that special scent to remind you of once upon a time.