Milkhouse Candles Are Great Gifts

Do you know someone who is hard to buy for? Maybe they already seem to have everything or you just aren’t sure what they would like. Well, one gift that seems to be great for anyone is a scented Milkhouse Candle.

Milkhouse Candles make great gifts for many reasons. In fact, candles are one of the top gifts given and received! Here are a few reasons why they are such a great item to share with another person.

Relaxation

One reason people like candles so much is because they often evoke a soothing, relaxing atmosphere. A Milkhouse Candle can be enjoyed while soaking in a bubble bath or reading a book. Gazing at the flame can be a mesmerizing experience that relaxes the eyes and the mind.

Atmosphere

The soft glow of a candle creates a romantic atmosphere for intimate evenings at home. Because a candle throws light on a relatively small area, it creates a sense of intimacy among people basking in its glow.

Aromatherapy

One of the best reasons to give scented candles as gifts is due to their aromatherapy properties. Aromatherapy is the practice of using scents and fragrances to create an atmosphere and stimulate the senses. As you think about the different aromatherapy properties connected to particular scents, you will better choose the fragrance that your gift recipient will love.

Scents of lavender, vanilla or eucalyptus can help shed the day’s stress and bring relaxation. Other fragrances can awaken one’s senses or bring back memories. Milkhouse Candles are created to use your strong sense of smell to invoke memories of places or events both real and imagined. You can help your friend or family member travel to a favorite place or time.

Enjoyed by All

Many people believe candles are only for women, but candles are great gifts for men as well. There are many scents that appeal to both men and women. In addition, candles can be given with a gift basket full of other products the person will enjoy. For women, this could include spa products like body wash or lotion. For men, this could be cologne and maybe a book.

Whether as a Christmas gift, birthday gift or for any other occasion, candles are a great item to share with the ones you love. Learn more about Milkhouse Candles and see the variety of fragrances we have available. 

History of Candles: Part 2

In our previous blog post, we discussed the beginning of candles dating back to the Romans and Ancient Egyptians. For this post, we will continue with the history of candles through the 19^th and 20^th centuries up to today.

19^th Century Candles

Many of the major developments impacting contemporary candlemaking occurred during the 19^th century. In the 1820s, French chemist Michel Eugene Chevreul learned how to extract stearic acid from animal fatty acids. This led to the development of stearin wax, which was hard, durable and clean burning. Stearin candles remain popular in Europe today.

In 1834, inventor Joseph Morgan developed a machine that allowed for continuous production of molded candles by using a cylinder with a movable piston to eject candles once they solidified. With mechanized production, candles became more affordable for all people.

In the 1850s, paraffin wax was introduced when chemists learned how to efficiently separate the naturally-occurring waxy substance from petroleum and refine it. Paraffin is odorless and bluish-white in color. It burned cleanly and was more economical to produce than any other candle fuel. The only disadvantage was a low melting point, but this was soon overcome by adding the harder stearic acid, which was then widely available.

With the invention of the light bulb in 1879, candlemaking began to decline.

20^th Century Candles

During the first half of the 20^th century, candles enjoyed a renewed popularity. The growth of U.S. oil and meatpacking industries brought an increase in the byproducts that had become the basic ingredients for candles: stearic acid and paraffin.

Candles remained steady in popularity until they began to increase notably in the mid-1980s. This is when candles were seen more as decorative items, gifts and mood-setters. Soon candles were available in various sizes, colors and shapes. Consumer interest in scented candles also began to escalate.

An unprecedented surge in the popularity of candles happened in the 1990s. During this time, new types of candle waxes were also being developed. In the U.S., agricultural chemists began to develop soybean wax, which is softer and slower burning than paraffin.

21^st Century and Beyond

Candles made with soy wax are becoming better known, and consumers are beginning to turn to them because of the health benefits. Soy candles do not give off dangerous chemicals like paraffin candles do when burning. Also, as a plant-based product, soy is renewable, whereas paraffin is not. Soy is a ubiquitous crop in the United States, and the wax can be developed inexpensively. Most likely, soy candles will continue to grow in popularity in the coming years.

There is no doubt that candles will continue to evolve in the future. How popular they will remain is anyone’s guess, but it’s doubtful they will ever disappear. Candles provide a sense of comfort and romance by filling a room with soft light or by emitting aromas in the air for us to enjoy. We feel that candles will continue to do this, while also becoming better for the environment and for us.

Milkhouse Candles are made from natural soy and beeswax. They provide familiar scents while not emitting harmful chemicals. Find a candle you can enjoy burning in your home!

History of Candles: Part 1

Candles have been used for light and illumination for more than 5,000 years. However, little is known about their origin. It is believed that the first candles were developed either by the Romans or Ancient Egyptians. Through the years, candles have continued to evolve from being a necessity to more of an item for celebrations and home décor.

The First Candles

The Ancient Egyptians used torches by soaking the pithy core of reeds in melted animal fat; however, these lights had no wick so may not be considered a true candle. The first candle with a wick is credited to the Romans who dipped rolled papyrus repeatedly in melted tallow or beeswax. The resulting candles were used to light their homes, for religious ceremonies and to aid travelers at night.

Historians have found evidence of other early civilizations developing candles with wicks using waxes made from available insects and plants. In Japan, candles were made of wax extracted from tree nuts. Early Chinese may have molded candles in paper tubes, using rolled rice paper for the wick and wax from an indigenous insect that was combined with seeds. In India, candle wax was made by boiling the fruit of the cinnamon tree.

Candles in the Middle Ages

Most early Western cultures relied primarily on candles rendered from animal fat (tallow). During the Middle Ages, beeswax candles were introduced in Europe. Unlike animal-based tallow, beeswax burned clean and pure, without producing a smoky flame. It also emitted a pleasant, sweet smell rather than the foul, acrid odor of tallow. Beeswax candles were widely used for church ceremonies, but since they were expensive, few individuals other than the wealthy could afford to burn them at home.

Tallow candles remained the common household candle for Europeans. By the 13^th century, candlemaking had become a guild craft in France and England. Candlemakers (chandlers) went from house to house making candles from the kitchen fats saved for that purpose. They would also make and sell their own candles from small candle shops.

Candles in Colonial Times

Colonial women were the first to bring America’s contribution to candlemaking. They discovered that boiling the grayish-green berries of bayberry bushes produced a sweet-smelling wax that burned cleanly. However, extracting this wax was very tedious, so the popularity soon diminished.

The first major change in candlemaking since the Middle Ages came in the late 18^th century. Spermaceti, a wax obtained by crystallizing sperm whale oil, became available in quantity. Like beeswax, the spermaceti wax did not elicit a bad odor when burned, and it produced a significantly brighter light. It was also harder than either beeswax or tallow, so it didn’t soften or bend in the summer heat. Historians note that the first “standard candles” were made from spermaceti wax.

We will continue with candles through the 19^th and 20^th centuries to today in part 2 of this blog series. Be sure to check back for that! In the meantime, you can browse our large selection of candles including Milkhouse Candles, WoodWick Candles and more. 

Welcome to Our Blogger!

Welcome to the blogger for Milkhouse Candles! The Milkhouse candle is a simple blend of waxes mixing pure beeswax and natural soy wax from soybeans grown in America's upper Midwest.

Celebrate simpler times with our broad swath of earthy aromas that will take you back and put you at ease.

To view the array of scents and products visit us at www.milkhouse-candles-more.com today!