DECORATING WITH FRUIT AND CANDLES

PEARS AND CANDLES
Materials
Clear vase
Pears to fill your vase
Water
Candle
Cranberries (optional)
Ribbon (optional)

Instructions
Fill your vase with the pears and cover them with water. Nestle a candle into the center and add the cranberries, which will float to the top. Place a pear into your vase and add water. Set a candle of the same diameter on top and tie a bow around it.

Experiment with small varieties of pears such as the Seckel or Forelle. Make a showpiece of a beautiful Bosc pear.

Gilding supplies are available at craft or art supply stores, and can come in a kit that contains metal leaf and all the tools.

For more decorating ideas, visit www.usapears.com/lifestyle/decorating.asp. For recipes from top chefs, visit www.PearPanache.com. Source: visit www.usapears.org  (December 20, 2007)

SPECIAL GIFTS TO LIGHT UP YOUR LIFE
By Natasha Slinko
August 2007 was the grand opening of Ambiente Candles & Soaps store in Toronto. There is a distinct charm, warmth and ambience when you walk in, along with a visual rainbow of colours that greets you in a very Zen-like way – a vision of oranges, lavender, reds, turquoise, lime green and yellow, just to name a few. It is refreshing that as you enter the store you are not overwhelmed by powerful perfumes and scents that come with many candle and soap establishments.


The candles make a very special colour theme gift, pictured left, for wedding guests and wedding party.  A completely unique way for them to remember your special day… lighting a candle to celebrate your love. Or for decor, standing floor candles, pictured right.

Ambiente is a project and creation of four friends, Liz and Daniel and Rachel and Navi, who each work tirelessly to make this opening a reality. Congratulations! Visit www.ambientestores.com. - NS

Seven Safety Tips for Using Candles

When using candles to decorate, it's important to keep in mind some basic candle safety tips to ensure that your party is a safe one.

When used properly, candles can be safe and enjoyable and create the perfect atmosphere. According to the U.S. Fire Association, the majority of candle-related fires are the result of human error and negligence. The following safety guidelines, which represent 90 percent of candle manufacturers, should always be followed when burning candles:

1. Always keep a burning candle within sight and never leave unattended. Always extinguish all candles before going to sleep.

2. Never burn a candle on or near anything that can catch fire, such as drapes or curtains, bedding, carpets, books, paper, furniture and flammable decorations.

3. Keep candles out of the reach of children and pets, including wagging tails.

4. Always read and follow the manufacturer’s use and safety instructions carefully.

5. Always use a candle holder specifically designed for candle use. The holder should be heat resistant, sturdy and big enough to collect dripping wax. Never place pillars or any candles directly on furniture, whether glass or wood.

6. Trim candlewicks to 1/2 inch, unless otherwise directed by manufacturer instructions, before lighting or re-lighting. Long or crooked wicks can cause uneven burning, smoking and dripping.

7. Candles should be placed at least three inches apart so they don’t melt one another or create their own drafts that will cause them to burn improperly.

Source: National Candle Association. (Décor:)