Candles for the dining table: what to buy so it looks good and nobody's view is blocked

What a dining table needs from a candle

A dining table is not a shelf. People sit across it, pass dishes over it and talk through it, so a good dining candle has three qualities: it does not block faces, it has no fragrance competing with the food, and it stays steady when someone bumps the table. From our hand-poured soy wax range, made in Jalandhar:

• For height without bulk: Spiral Pillar Candles, Rs 179 each or Rs 799 for the set of 5 in ivory, pink, blue, yellow and navy. Slim enough to see past.
• For a low festive line: Matki Candles, Rs 599 for 4 little painted red matkis.
• For a modern pastel table: Braided Candles, Rs 849 for 4 round candles with a chunky braided rim in pink, blue, butter yellow and peach.

None of these is scented, which is exactly what you want next to dal, biryani and dessert.

Three table layouts that work

The everyday six-seater

Three spiral pillars in a row down the centre, on a long tray or a wooden board. Odd numbers look natural. Use ivory, or one colour that matches your plates. Three singles are Rs 537.

The festive dinner (Diwali, Karva Chauth, Lohri)

A low line of the four Matki Candles, with marigold petals between them and a small bowl of diyas at each end. Low candles mean everyone can see the person opposite, which matters on a family night. Add Diya Candles (Rs 449 for 6) at the ends and the total is Rs 1,048, with free shipping.

The dinner party with friends

The four Braided Candles in a cluster in the middle, with one navy spiral pillar rising behind them. Low and tall together gives depth. The Braided Candles with one navy spiral come to Rs 1,028, which ships free.

Height, spacing and the round-table problem

Keep candles at least a hand-width from the edge of any plate, and well away from serving dishes being passed across.

Unscented is the right choice for a dining table

People sometimes look for a scented candle for the dining room. On the table itself, it is better without. A strong scent changes how food tastes and smells. If you want fragrance in the room, light one scented candle on a sideboard or a shelf away from the food, such as our Vanilla Reverie (Rs 549), and keep the table candles plain.

Holders and trays

Spiral pillars need a holder that grips the base, or a tray with a small dab of melted wax under each candle to keep it upright. The Matki and Braided Candles stand on their own. We do not sell holders; brass, glass and wooden holders are easy to find at home decor stores and on marketplaces.

Other things to consider

• Tall tapers and candelabras for a formal Western-style dinner are sold by decor stores. We make spiral pillars, not tapers.
• LED candles are the safe choice if small children sit at the table. We do not make them.

Getting them to your home

We dispatch in 24 to 48 hours; delivery takes 2 to 7 days after dispatch anywhere in India. Free shipping on orders of Rs 999 or more, Rs 79 below. Payment is prepaid only, by UPI, card, net banking or wallet through Razorpay; there is no cash on delivery. Damage reported within 24 hours of delivery is replaced or refunded.

At the table, safely

Use a heat-proof tray or plate under every candle, keep them away from napkins, table runners and sleeves reaching across, trim wicks to about 5 mm, never leave them burning after everyone leaves the table, and do not burn them for more than 3 to 4 hours at a time.