Taper candles, the tall, slim dinner candles of every Christmas film, do more for a festive table than almost anything else for the money. They add height above the food, a row of steady flames at eye level and a dash of colour. Styling them well is mostly about three things: choosing a colour story, varying the heights, and fitting each candle firmly and safely in its holder.
The short answer
Pick one or two colours, such as red and gold, or white and ivory with greenery, and group tapers in odd numbers at different heights down the middle of the table. Make sure every candle stands straight and snug in its holder, keep them well clear of foliage, crackers and paper napkins, keep them out of draughts to reduce drips, and never leave them burning in an empty room.
Choose a colour story
- Red and gold. The classic Christmas pairing. Red tapers in plain holders with a gold taper or two between them look warm and traditional, especially with dark greenery.
- White and ivory. Quiet and elegant, and the easiest to dress up or down. Ivory is softer and creamier than pure white, so mixing the two adds depth without adding colour. Lovely with silver, glass and white linen.
- All gold. A row of gold tapers catches the light even before they are lit, and suits a New Year's Eve table as well as Christmas.
- A bright accent. Yellow tapers bring sunshine to a Christmas morning breakfast table, and look cheerful with blue or green glass holders.
As a rule, two colours look deliberate and three start to look busy. Let the holders, greenery or tablecloth bring in any third colour.
Arrange them in groups
- Odd numbers. Three or five tapers in a loose group look more natural than a matching pair. On a long table, repeat the group two or three times along the centre.
- Different heights. Mix short holders with taller ones, or stand a group beside a chunky pillar candle on a wooden stand, so the flames sit at different levels.
- Above or below eye level. Guests need to see each other across the table. Tall tapers whose flames sit above seated eye level, or a low arrangement well below it, both work. Avoid a wall of flames right in front of people's faces.
- Down the middle. Keep candles along the centre line, away from where people reach for dishes and pass plates. Our Christmas table centrepiece ideas show how to build the rest of the arrangement around them.
Fit each candle properly
A taper that leans burns unevenly, drips down one side and can topple. Each one should stand straight and snug.
- If the candle is loose, press a small piece of candle adhesive putty into the holder first, or light another candle and let a few drops of wax fall into the holder, then press the taper in while the wax is still soft.
- If the candle is too wide, dip the base in hot water for a minute to soften it and press it gently into the holder, or carefully shave a little off the base with a knife. Never force it, as glass holders can crack.
- Check them all from the side before you light them, and straighten any that lean.
Light them safely
- Trim the wick to about 5mm before lighting.
- Keep them clear of anything that can catch. Leave a good gap between flames and greenery, paper napkins, crackers, place cards and anything hanging above the table, such as paper chains.
- Watch for draughts. An open door, a window or a fan makes tapers flicker, smoke and drip. Most drips have a draught behind them.
- Put them out in time. Blow them out, or better, use a snuffer, while there is still a good length of candle left, so the flame never reaches the holder.
- Never leave them unattended. Put them out before everyone moves to the sofa.
Beyond the dining table
Tapers work on a mantelpiece as well: a row of five in mixed holders along the shelf, with greenery kept well back from the flames. Our guide to styling a mantelpiece covers the rest. On a sideboard, a pair of tall tapers either side of a bowl of clementines is simple and works every time.
Common questions
How do you stop taper candles dripping?
Keep them out of draughts, make sure they stand straight, and keep the wick trimmed to about 5mm. Some people also chill tapers in the fridge for an hour before lighting so they burn a little more slowly.
Can I burn taper candles all evening?
Yes, as long as someone is in the room, they stay out of draughts and you put them out while there is still a good length left above the holder.
What is the difference between a taper and a dinner candle?
In practice they are the same thing: a tall, slim candle made to sit in a candlestick. "Dinner candle" is simply the more traditional British name.
Our taper candles and holders
Our taper candles fit standard dinner candle holders. The red taper candles (£11.95) are the classic Christmas choice, gold (£13.95) adds shine, and ivory (£11.95) and white (£11.95) suit a quieter table. Yellow is in the range too.
For holders, the Royal Blue flip holder (£6.95) and the Garden Jade flower flip holder (£6.95) take a dinner candle one way up and a tealight the other. The Antique Amber vintage dinner candle holder (£11.95) adds warm colour, and the carved Large Candle Stand in white and gold (£21.95) holds a chunky church candle to give an arrangement height. See them all in our Christmas table collection. Delivery is free in the UK on orders over £40.
