Do you light candles at your dinner table?
We always ate together as a family as I was growing up and it’s a tradition that I have been mindful to pass to my children. The simple ritual of lighting candles starts our evening meal together each night and seems to have a magical effect.
There’s always the last minute hustle and bustle as the food is served and everyone takes their place but the striking of the match catches the children’s attention and makes them pause for a moment before we eat. My youngest always asks if she can ‘blow out the stick and the candles at the end’.
I started lighting the candles as the winter gloom began at the end of last year. We use tea candles carefully tucked in candle holders and of course only light them when there’s an adult to supervise but I did wonder whether it was a good idea to have the flame at the table. I have found though that it seems to make the children calmer. They sit and take more care. Like a real fire in a sitting room, it gives us a centre to our gathering and I think our family mealtimes are enhanced by the candlelight.
A simple thing – maybe you’ll try it?
you can find our candle holders here
happily shared with made by you monday
I like the custom candle holder 😉 Gives the kids some ownership over the tradition.
This is a really lovely idea, we did this when I was a child and somehow I’d forgotten. My youngest is 17 months so it may be a little mad but I’m going to give it a go and see if it gives us some much needed calm at supper time, thanks!
simplelivingchina.blogspot.com
Calm dinner time, you say? I’ll try it! Thanks for a great idea, Cathy.
We love dinner by candlelight around here. It adds what my daughter described as “the fancy touch” to our meals…a sense of serenity and ceremony, maybe. Either way we love it, especially on the days that have been gloomy outside.
I love your daughter’s phrase Eddie. My little one likes things that are ‘posh’.