Candlelight Entertaining Ideas from Simplified Bee

Today, we have the lovely Cristin from Simplified Bee, who is sharing her ideas for summer eve and entertaining by candlelight. Cristin, a professional organizer, blogs about her ideas and inspiration for both organizing and beautifying your home, and I’m happy to have her here today!

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{image source Country Living}

This is Cristin from Simplified Bee and I am thrilled to be guest blogging today for Laura. Summer is my favorite season of the year, and there is something special about entertaining family and friends outdoors on a balmy summer evening. Entertaining guests can get overwhelming, so keeping the menu and tablescape simple is important. One of my favorite {and super easy} ways to decorate and help set the mood is to incorporate candlelight.

{image source Southern Accents}

A pathway illuminated by candles is a lovely way to welcome guests.

{image source Real Simple}

Biting insects can be a problem when entertaining outdoors, but candles can also help keep them away. Citronella candles are the best for keeping pesky bugs at bay while providing ambient lighting. A single citronella candle may not keep away determined mosquitoes, so it is recommended to use a grouping of citronella candles both on the table and around the perimeter. Colorful citronella torches like the ones in the image above via Real Simple would create a festive border keeping your party insect free.

{image source Martha Stewart}

If toddlers or babies will be present, it is best to keep candles out of reach for safety purposes. Hanging candles from an umbrella like this one from Martha Stewart is a great to incorporate candlelight, free up table space and keep it safe for small children. Using glass jars or votives, here’s Martha’s hanging lantern how to.

{image source Martha Stewart}

If you fight the wind to keep candles lit, lantern or hurricane-style candle holders are great options and will keep the flame protected. I love how Martha Stewart mixes & matches lanterns in the seaside image above.

Have fun entertaining with candlelight and wishing you a wonderful summer!

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Thanks very much, Cristin! Hop on over to Simplified Bee to read Cristin’s fabulous tips for creating a gorgeous mantle, organizing your pantry, and more!