The first Sunday of Advent is just days away, and homes will soon light their first candle. An Advent candle holder is one of the oldest Christmas props of all – and also one where safety is most often underestimated. This guide covers both: how to choose one and how to use it.
Before you start. Think about where you'll put the candle holder and what type of candles you want to use – the two are connected and matter more for your choice than looks. Measure the space you have available and check what's above and around it: curtains, shelves, dried decorations. Have a non-flammable mat ready, a fire extinguisher spray or at least a glass of water within reach, and long matches. And if you have small children or pets at home, take them into account when choosing the spot.
Step by step: how to choose
1. Decide on the type according to use
An Advent candle holder for four candles has a clear purpose and is used four weeks a year. It's usually longer so the candles fit side by side, and it belongs in the middle of the table or on a windowsill.
There are also individual tealight holders, which are more versatile – you can use them all year round, arrange them in groups, and they don't have to go back in the box after Christmas. If you're buying your first piece, start here.
The third category is lanterns with an enclosed flame. From a safety point of view they're the best choice, because the glass separates the fire from its surroundings. We've written more about them in our article on lanterns and candle holders.
2. Check how the candle is held
This is the most important technical detail, and most people overlook it. The candle must sit firmly in the holder. A loosely fitted candle tilts as it burns and wax starts running down the wood – at best that means a stain, at worst the flame touching the material.
With tealight holders, check that the recess is deep enough and the cup doesn't wobble in it. With holders for classic candles, compare the diameter of the hole with the diameter of the candles you use – the most common are two and two and a half centimetres, but there are exceptions.
A metal insert in the hole is always a plus. It separates the flame from the wood and catches wax that would otherwise run through.
3. Choose stability according to the spot
A wide, heavy base matters more than you'd think – especially on a table where six people are reaching across the candle holder. A light, tall piece tips over easily.
For a windowsill, choose low candle holders, as there's usually a curtain above and space is limited. On a chest of drawers or sideboard, taller pieces are fine as long as there's no shelf above them.
4. Match it with your other decorations
If you already have wooden decorations at home, stick to the same type of wood and a similar shade. A dark oak candle holder next to light beech ornaments looks accidental rather than intentional.
The same rule applies as with other accessories: either match the shade exactly or go for a clear contrast. "Almost the same" is the worst option.
Safety: dos and don'ts
Advent is the time of year when the most candles burn in homes – and fire statistics reflect this every year. Most accidents, however, stem from the same few causes, which are easy to prevent.
Seven rules worth following. Never leave a burning candle unattended – not even for a few minutes, not even when you go into the next room. Blow candles out before leaving home and before going to sleep. Keep free space around the flame and above it, where hot air rises. Don't place the candle holder on a tablecloth that hangs over the edge of the table and can be pulled down. A dry Advent wreath made of fir branches and dried fruit burns quickly – the longer it stands in an overheated flat, the greater the risk. Replace the candle before it burns down to the base. And in a household with small children or pets, consider a candle holder with LED candles instead of an open flame.
One more often forgotten detail is worth mentioning: draughts. A candle holder placed by a door or under a window that gets opened has a flame that leans – and a leaning flame reaches further than you'd expect. When airing the room, it's better to put the candles out.
Putting candles out is a topic in itself. Blowing sprays hot wax and, with a candle that is nearly burnt down, can splatter drops around. It's better to use a snuffer or smother the flame – and with tealights, simply wait until they burn out.
Advent wreath tip: If you make a wreath with fresh fir branches, bear in mind that it will dry out over the four weeks. What is safe on 29 November can be considerably more flammable by 20 December. So mist the wreath with a spray bottle during Advent, or at least by the fourth Sunday of Advent swap the candles for shorter ones that don't burn down so low. An alternative is to put the candles in a separate wooden candle holder and keep the wreath purely as decoration around it.
Where to place the candle holder
From a safety point of view, placement is just as important as the candle holder itself. Look at the spot where you want to put it and look up – a shelf, a hanging lamp, a kitchen cupboard. Hot air rises, and the area directly above the flame gets hotter than you'd expect.
The dining table is the most common spot and also the one where people most often reach across the candle holder. Choose low, stable pieces and place them along the centre line, not at the edge where they're easily knocked off.
The windowsill is the riskiest place in the home because of curtains and draughts when airing. If you want a candle holder on the windowsill, tie back the curtain and consider a lantern with an enclosed flame instead.
A chest of drawers or sideboard is usually safer than a table, as there's less movement around it. Just check what's above – a picture, a shelf or wooden decorations shouldn't be within reach of rising heat.
Overview of types
| Type of holder | Candle | Where | Safety |
|---|---|---|---|
| Advent holder for four candles | Classic or tealight | Centre of the table, windowsill | Medium – watch the surroundings |
| Single tealight holder | Tealight in a cup | Anywhere, also in groups | Good – low flame |
| Taller holder for a classic candle | Taper, pillar | Chest of drawers, sideboard | Lower – flame sits higher |
| Lantern | Tealight or pillar | Table, porch, terrace | Best – enclosed flame |
| LED candle holder | No flame | Children's room, near pets | No risk |
One last note on choosing: if you're buying a candle holder as a gift, go for a versatile single piece rather than an Advent holder for four candles. Many households buy an Advent candle holder once and keep it for years, so there's a higher chance the recipient already has one.
Care after the season
After the holidays, wipe the candle holder with a dry cloth and remove any leftover wax. The method is simple: let the wax harden completely and then peel it off with a plastic card or wooden spatula. Never scrape with metal and don't try to melt it with hot water – warm wax penetrates deeper into the fibres.
Store candle holders in a dry place with a stable temperature, ideally in a cupboard in your home rather than in an unheated loft. It's worth treating the surface with wood oil now and then – especially on pieces where wax has marked the surface.
From our workshop
Frequently asked questions
How far should candles be from flammable items?
Keep free space around the flame on all sides and above it – curtains, tablecloths, dried plants and paper decorations should be out of reach. Pay special attention to the space above the candle, where hot air rises. An Advent wreath made of dry fir branches is more flammable than it looks.
Which candles suit a wooden candle holder?
The safest is a tealight in a metal cup, as the cup catches both wax and heat. With classic candles, check that the diameter matches the hole in the holder – a loosely fitted candle can tilt. Wax running down the wood is always a sign that something isn't right.
Can candles burn when I'm not in the room?
No. Never leave a burning candle unattended, not even for a few minutes, and put it out before leaving home and before going to sleep. Most candle fires start precisely when someone has popped out and left the flame burning.
How do I remove wax from wood?
Let the wax harden completely and then carefully peel it off with a plastic card or wooden spatula. Never scrape with metal and don't try to melt the wax with hot water – warm wax penetrates deeper into the fibres. Wipe off the rest with a dry cloth.
Will a wooden candle holder last for years?
Yes, if you look after it. After the season, remove the wax, wipe the surface and store the candle holder in a dry place with a stable temperature. Treat the surface with wood oil from time to time. Many of our customers have used the same Advent candle holder for ten years or more.
What candle holders does AMADEA offer?
In our sheltered workshop we make wooden Christmas candle holders, including Advent versions for four candles, as well as lanterns and illuminated decorations. All made from native woods.
🕯️ A candle holder that will last ten Advents. Handmade from Czech wood – Advent and single pieces.
Browse Christmas candle holdersAuthor: Martin Portych – specialist in wooden products, gift advice and shop content
Editorial policy: Our content is based on the day-to-day practice of the AMADEA shop, the real needs of our customers and a commitment to clear, useful and trustworthy information.