Scented votive candles are small, but they need a little more care than a jar or a tealight. A votive is a short candle with no case of its own. Once it is lit, the whole candle melts into liquid wax. That is why it always needs a holder. Get the holder and the spot right, and a votive gives a clean, steady glow on a dark November evening.
How to burn scented votive candles safely
Start with the holder. Cambridgeshire Fire and Rescue Service says to always use a proper candle holder and fit the candle in firmly. It also says to stand the holder on a heat-resistant surface, such as a ceramic plate.
Next, think about space. The National Candle Association says to keep candles at least 12 inches (about 30cm) from curtains, bedding and books. It also says to keep candles at least 3 inches (about 8cm) apart, so they do not melt each other.
What size holder does a votive need?
Pick a glass holder only a little wider than the candle. A snug fit keeps the liquid wax close to the wick. That helps the flame stay steady and stops wax spilling over the edge.
Votive candles or tealights, which suit your home?
A tealight, which many people in the UK call a night-light, is a small candle that comes in its own cup. That cup holds the melted wax, so there is less mess. The fire service advice about a heat-resistant surface still applies, and it names night-lights in particular.
Votives suit a holder you already love, like a coloured glass on a mantelpiece. Tealights suit busy weeknights. The tealights in our 2026 Advent Calendar sit on a four-footed base for a steady flame.
- Votive: needs a holder, melts fully
- Tealight: comes in its own cup
- Both: need a heat-resistant surface
Getting the most from small scented candles
A small candle carries a smaller amount of scent. Light it in a smaller room, like a hallway, a bathroom or a study. Close the door for a while and let the smell build. Keep it out of draughts, which pull the flame sideways and waste wax.
When you are done, use a snuffer. The National Candle Association says not to use water, because hot wax can splatter.
Quick answers
Do votive candles need a holder?
Yes. A votive turns into liquid wax as it burns, so it needs a holder to contain it. Use a sturdy glass holder and stand it on a heat-resistant surface.
How do you get old wax out of a votive holder?
Let the holder cool fully, then pop it in the freezer for an hour or so. The wax shrinks as it chills and usually lifts out in one piece.
If you would rather skip the holder hunt this Christmas, our Advent Calendar has 24 tealights behind 24 doors. From 1 December, you open one a day and find a new scent each night.
Related reading
- Candle Safety at Home: Simple Habits for Winter Evenings: easy habits for every candle in the house.
- Scented Tealight Candles: Where to Put Them and Why: the best spots for small candles.
- Candle Wick Trimmer Tips: Why 5mm Is the Length to Aim For: a cleaner flame in one small step.
