topic Re: Window candles in Holiday

Window candles

Mominohio — Thu, 30 Jun 2016 13:00:30 GMT

So how many here use window candles either for the holidays, or all year?

I have always used them, and had a large supply of electric ones that dated back to the 1980's and 90's. They had nice brass bases, and I loved them. I would put them in the windows in November and take them down in the spring with the windows were open again (no air here so windows open for about 6 months out of the year, and candles will blow over and break).

I got so tired of all the cords strung everywhere. My house looked like something out of a magazine from the outside, but like something from a horror movie from the inside! So I simply stopped using them a few years ago. I hated not having them. I wanted battery operated ones, but I was used to having them on 24/7 (I love the look of them on during a dark rainy day). I simply couldn't imagine only having the battery ones on for a few hours per day. So I just watched and waited.

What I did have was a few of the chamberstick Luminaras, so one year, in my family room I put those in the windows and oh my, that was it, That is the look I wanted. But they were expensive, after awhile hard to find as well. The true end to that dream came when I realized that most of my window sills couldn't accommodate the size of the base. Bummed again.

Then last year, I had two choices I was considering. Luminara made a much smaller base window candle (made to run on battery and electric, woo hoo) and the VPH metal based window candles (battery only, and a bulb flickering instead of the flame effect).

I wanted the Luminara, but they come to basically twice the price. So I figured with the long return policy for CIJ items, I'd try the Valerie candles.

Since this post is getting very long, I'll just say that they worked out great. The battery life was way longer than expected/stated, they seemed so bright but when faced properly (there is an inside and outside light and they outside is brighter) they look good from inside and from the road as well.

I have just enough for all my windows, so should pick up an extra set this year as replacements. Replacement bulbs are available as well, and I got some of those.

I am considering, because I have so many of the Luminara chambersticks, picking up enough of the smaller based ones to do the whole house in Luminara as well, and switch them every other year or so. My biggest concern there would be if the 'flame' color will be the same shade on these newer ones. If some are more orange/yellow and other more white, that would look terrible from the outside.

Oh the decisions!

So, anyone else use window candles, what kind, and how do you like them?

Re: Window candles

Ane1Care — Thu, 30 Jun 2016 13:59:23 GMT

I have the Luminara ones that were a TSV a few years ago. I decided to put my sheers on the inside of my window frame, and hang my faux wood slat shades on the wall just for the candles. This way, the flickering is on the curtain even when the shades are down. It just looks do much better. They look good, and I have privacy.

The cheapskate in me discovered that if I took an inexpensive cafe rod, took the end caps off, then once I was set on where to hang them install two screws to the inside sides of the window frame no none would be the wiser. I just put the sheers on the curtain rod, put the screw in the rod (it's hollow aluminum), adjust the rod shorter than what I needed so that it would come into the frame, then extend it so it had the other screw in the rod.

The shades are hung above the window so the window appears taller than it is. I just raise them so the are slightly lower than the gathers of sheer. That way it looks finished inside and out.

Btw, have you thought if writing? Your story drew me in, and I'm not a reader!

Re: Window candles

GCR18 — Thu, 30 Jun 2016 14:01:04 GMT

I always liked the Bethlehem lights window candles but they had a yellowish light. I've been looking for replacements that had a white light. I found some in Ace Hardware for $3 each. They are pretty good, but short. I have enough for all windows. I get them going in mid November and keep them on until the battery dies in February. Still looking though. I saw the Valerie ones, but they were a little high. I tried luminara, but got a defective set. I figured I'd wait a couple years for them to improve. I will be keeping my eyes open this season.

Re: Window candles

MTH — Thu, 30 Jun 2016 14:04:03 GMT

@Mominohio wrote:
So how many here use window candles either for the holidays, or all year?

I have always used them, and had a large supply of electric ones that dated back to the 1980's and 90's. They had nice brass bases, and I loved them. I would put them in the windows in November and take them down in the spring with the windows were open again (no air here so windows open for about 6 months out of the year, and candles will blow over and break).

I got so tired of all the cords strung everywhere. My house looked like something out of a magazine from the outside, but like something from a horror movie from the inside! So I simply stopped using them a few years ago. I hated not having them. I wanted battery operated ones, but I was used to having them on 24/7 (I love the look of them on during a dark rainy day). I simply couldn't imagine only having the battery ones on for a few hours per day. So I just watched and waited.

What I did have was a few of the chamberstick Luminaras, so one year, in my family room I put those in the windows and oh my, that was it, That is the look I wanted. But they were expensive, after awhile hard to find as well. The true end to that dream came when I realized that most of my window sills couldn't accommodate the size of the base. Bummed again.

Then last year, I had two choices I was considering. Luminara made a much smaller base window candle (made to run on battery and electric, woo hoo) and the VPH metal based window candles (battery only, and a bulb flickering instead of the flame effect).

I wanted the Luminara, but they come to basically twice the price. So I figured with the long return policy for CIJ items, I'd try the Valerie candles.

Since this post is getting very long, I'll just say that they worked out great. The battery life was way longer than expected/stated, they seemed so bright but when faced properly (there is an inside and outside light and they outside is brighter) they look good from inside and from the road as well.

I have just enough for all my windows, so should pick up an extra set this year as replacements. Replacement bulbs are available as well, and I got some of those.

I am considering, because I have so many of the Luminara chambersticks, picking up enough of the smaller based ones to do the whole house in Luminara as well, and switch them every other year or so. My biggest concern there would be if the 'flame' color will be the same shade on these newer ones. If some are more orange/yellow and other more white, that would look terrible from the outside.

Oh the decisions!

So, anyone else use window candles, what kind, and how do you like them?

@Mominohio I have the Bethlehem Lights ones that another poster just mentioned. I originally started out only setting them up during the holidays but have morphed into keeping them out all year long. I will say however that the battery life is nothing like the Luminaras I have. I think I am changing the batteries almost every month but I didn't want to spend the money to get another set. Let's see what comes out during CIJ and/or the months that follow and maybe I'll replace them but I love having them in my windows all the time.

Re: Window candles

Fressa — Thu, 30 Jun 2016 15:01:48 GMT

I have been on the "hunt" for window candles for years. The ones I have are from Bethlehem Lights many years ago. The sensors in them have been failing so I have half of them on timers. I prefer to have the sensor mode on. I like the fact that the base in heavy and is high enough so you can see the candle from the ourside.

A few years back in CIJ QVC had a set of LED candlestick window candles. I ordered two sets of these to use in the family room. They use C batteries and go thru them in 90 days. I like the look of them but they are plastic or some compound and I wish they were brass. I also wish they would use AA batteries because you seem to get a longer battery life.

I liked the look of the luminara candles but the battery life and the price stopped me. I kept looking at Valeries window candles but the amound of batteries and the fact that bulb controls the light had me concerned. If the bulb breaks do you risk the entire candle being broken? The replacement bulbs are a bit pricey so that is also in the budget. I guess that I"m used to LED bulbs being silicone. I'm interested in what everyone has to say that can compare the two types. I remember Valerie having mixed reviews on her window candles but maybe they have improved. I have a lot of windows and some I need multiple lights. I really like all the windows to match with the lamps.

I'm anxious to read everyone's preference and reviews. Thanks in advance.

Re: Window candles

sweetee2 — Thu, 30 Jun 2016 15:03:03 GMT

I inherented my 1870 families farm. I have the old ones that had the 4 hour or 8 hour timers. I use the 4 hour timers all year, and they stay on for months. I have the same ones at my home I turn on in October and leave on until spring. I also have the ones that they sold a few years ago that were indoor, out door that look like a lantern hanging on the garage that are on all year. I just love the homey feeling it gives our homes. I've had a few people fall asleep at my house especially after Thanksgiving.

Re: Window candles

RazorSharp — Thu, 30 Jun 2016 17:23:44 GMT

10 Luminara window candle tapers. All year round. love them!

Re: Window candles

Zhills — Thu, 30 Jun 2016 20:08:57 GMT

I have these in my front windows. They are my 2 empty bedrooms and stay dark so I put the candles in the windows so people will know somebody lives here!!!!

Love the homey feeling they provide.

Re: Window candles

Ane1Care — Sat, 16 Jul 2016 03:41:57 GMT

@Fressa

@I just ran across these. They say unscented, so I'm thinking they're wax. You'll need your own base. They each take 3 A

Re: Window candles

Susan Louise — Sat, 16 Jul 2016 03:49:37 GMT

We can't have window candles because it ruins the viewing for our home security cameras...

Re: Window candles

missxmas — Sat, 16 Jul 2016 04:45:05 GMT

Many homes on the Cape in Massachusetts have welcome lights in the windows all year long. I love the way they look and am glad you like VPH's battery operated lights. I will have to try them this year!

Re: Window candles

ECBG — Sat, 16 Jul 2016 04:46:44 GMT

I love to see this but I don't do it.

Re: Window candles

RazorSharp — Sat, 16 Jul 2016 05:10:03 GMT

I keep my Luminara window candles up all year. Window candles are a tradition in PA in the area where I grew up, and I think it looks very welcoming all year long.

Re: Window candles

Shorty2U — Sat, 16 Jul 2016 06:20:53 GMT

Funny story- I had window candles in the windows that I bought at my nearest ACE hardware. They look real and flicker. (I live in PA and lots of people have them year round).

Here's the funny thing. Our new kitten 5 and 1/2 months old, decided he hates window candles for some unknown reason! He learned to get on the window sills lately. He knocked them down, I put them back, he knocked them down. I put them back, and yep once again he knocked them down! So, I put them away (for now). lol. I will try again when he gets a little older.

Re: Window candles

LeoGrl — Sat, 16 Jul 2016 17:23:19 GMT

I was thinking of ordering Valerie's window candles today. For any of you that have purchaed them already, do they have more of a yellow glow or white glow to them? I'm looking for more of a warm white glow. I see that Valerie's going to be on at 3 later on and I'll be tuning in, however, if anyone can tell me what color that would be great. Thanks!

Re: Window candles

Mominohio — Sat, 16 Jul 2016 19:58:40 GMT

@LeoGrl wrote:
I was thinking of ordering Valerie's window candles today. For any of you that have purchaed them already, do they have more of a yellow glow or white glow to them? I'm looking for more of a warm white glow. I see that Valerie's going to be on at 3 later on and I'll be tuning in, however, if anyone can tell me what color that would be great. Thanks!

@LeoGrl

I would definitely call it closer to white than yellow, and I was afraid it would be too bright and too white for me, as what I really wanted was Luminara window candles.

I will say, I'm not at all sorry I bought the Valerie window candles. The battery life (using Duracell Quantum batteries) lasted much longer than they advertised, they were not too bright (I was afraid it would look like we were landing airplanes as we have a lot of windows).

I loved the heavy metal base, and the small footprint was the main reason I went with them. I have some of my sills that are very thin, so thin that even these don't fit completely on them. But even with the 'overhang', they never even tried to tip off, because of those heavy bases.

But as to your original question, the glow is not that yellow or amber you see in some bulbs, but more white.

The great thing about buying them now, is that you have seven months to decide if you like them or not. Set them up and let them run for awhile to see what you think. Can be returned till end of January.

Re: Window candles

LeoGrl — Sat, 16 Jul 2016 21:13:03 GMT

Mominohio - It sounds like this is what I'm looking for. I also need more of a narrow base and was afraid of the glow being too yellow. However, as I watched Valerie's entire presentation of them and from the description of what you wrote, that really helped. I ordered two sets because this is a great price for the quality.