The Legend of the Bayberry Candle

When colonial families settled on the Eastern seaboard, they set about on their "women's work". Each day, the women of the house were responsible for the cooking, cleaning and care of the home. In late fall, as the animals were slaughtered, women would begin making candles for the following year. The average home would require approximately 200 - 400 candles to illuminate the home for a year. Tallow, or animal fat, was collected throughout the year, but slaughter always brought more fat to the home. As candle making was grueling and smelly work, the bulk of it was done in a single day.

Tallow can be quite foul after a few weeks. Imagine how much worse it must be after several months! In more affluent homes, the women would make candles from beeswax or bayberry wax, as the aroma was far sweeter than anything an animal would leave behind.

Women would gather bushels of bayberries and boil them for several hours. This heating process allowed the waxy substance to seep from the berries. As the wax has a natural buoyancy, the wax floated to the top of the kettle. Once the wax cooled, it was skimmed off much the same way we skim chicken fat from cooled broth today. It takes approximately 15 pounds of bayberries to render one pound of wax. Bayberry wax is brittle by nature, and prone to "blooming", which is a white powdery residue that forms on the outside of the candle after several months. Candles had to be stored in a cool flat place to protect their fragile shape.

Over time, chandlers made their rounds, relieving women of the chore of candle making. Eventually, molds and paraffins were developed to replace tallow and chandlers altogether.

Bayberry has seen a resurgence in popularity over the last 100 years. Mabel Baker, founder of Colonial Candle of Cape Cod (later PartyLite, a division of Blythe HomeScents, Inc.) made her mark in the early 20th century making hand dipped bayberry tapers. Unfortunately, the company no longer offers candles made from genuine bayberry wax.

Colonist folklore states that if you light a new bayberry candle on Christmas Eve, you'll have health, wealth and prosperity in the coming year. The adage reads:

A bayberry candle burnt to the socket brings food to the larder and gold to the pocket.

This holiday, look for taper candles made with genuine bayberry wax. The sweet, grassy aroma is a pleasant holiday fragrance. Burn one taper on Christmas Eve, and ring in a new year of health, wealth and prosperity!

Lisa Robbin is the Director of Product Development for the giving candle, the maker of genuine bayberry tapers and Heavenly Gems resin-based clear candles. Lisa writes articles on all things candle related in an effort to educate consumers about making the most out of their candle purchases.

You can email her directly at lisa@thegivingcandle.com

---

Book Shelf Decorating Idea & Tip

If you have book shelves in your home, and lots... Read More

Types of Home Air Purifiers

Room Air Purifiers Room air purifiers replaced tabletop units in... Read More

The Benefits of Adjustable Air Beds

Adjustable airbeds are adjustable beds for which the firmness of... Read More

Eastern Influences On Western Interiors: Japanese Décor - Part I of II - Color, Texture and Contrast

The topic of eastern influences on western interiors is a... Read More

The Benefits of Wood Cook Stoves

Wood cook stoves have been used for hundreds of years.... Read More

The Value of Antique Cuckoo Clocks

As cuckoo clocks have been around since 1730 and have... Read More

Beyond Paint: Decorating Walls With Stencils

Painting walls in various colors is a quick and easy... Read More

Warm And Cozy Down Comforters Will Turn Your Bed Into A Luxurious Sanctuary!

Down comforters provide you with a luxurious natural warmth that... Read More

Heres Why Interior Decorating Makes A Statement About You

Interior decorating is that medium which can make your closed... Read More

Bakers Wine Racks: Sophisticated Style

Nothing sends a message of sophistication and style quite the... Read More

Mission Style Lighting - Its Timeless Beauty Continues

If you ask most people to tell you about Mission... Read More

A Guide to Bathroom Remodeling

There is a reason why many Hollywood actors keep their... Read More

Whats Your Design Sign?

If you've been consistently bewildered about how to make your... Read More

10 Tips to Care for Your Antique Glassware

Antique glassware needs a gentle hand. This month we'll give... Read More

Home Décor Tips To Impress Your Friends

Step 1: Pick a motif and go with it! Don't... Read More

Decorating Frugally

The trend these days is to discover extremely innovative ways... Read More

Bringing the Inside Out

The time of year is here when we all start... Read More

Cookers

If you are buying a free-standing cooker, oven or hob... Read More

A Place For Everything In Your Home

Are there homeless items living in your home? If you're... Read More

Preserved Flower Candles

Putting flowers in your candle will add a unique look,... Read More

Luxurious Linen ? Surround Yourself With Sensual Texture

Luxurious linen has been used for centuries. Writers speak in... Read More

Make Your Own Fishing Decor from Fishing Gear

Decorating with old, used fishing gear is fun, creative and... Read More

Kitchen Island Ideas for Great Custom Kitchen Islands

Use kitchen island ideas to better understand how to create... Read More

The Advantages of Corner Kitchen Sinks

If your kitchen is U-shaped or L-shaped, a corner kitchen... Read More

An Introduction to Down Comforters

Down comforters are one of the more popular ways of... Read More

The Advantages of Ionic Exchange Water Softeners

It can be difficult to decide which method for softening... Read More

Liven Up Your Walls With Decorative Plates

Decorative plates are often overlooked when decorating a home. Yet,... Read More

Top Tips for Keeping Your Home Tidy

You've got so much tidying to do, so little time.... Read More

A Guide to Closet Organizers

Along with losing weight and quitting smoking, getting organized is... Read More

Use A Wallpaper Border For A Budget Backsplash

You can add some splash to your kitchen without spending... Read More

Dining Chair Slipcovers ? A Great Way to Impress Your Dinner Guests!

Planning a dinner party but worried what your guests will... Read More

Contemporary Bathroom Vanities

Minimal, linear, often metallic and futuristic, contemporary bathroom vanities come... Read More

Summer Decorating Tips To Cool You

Redesigning your home for summer gives you the opportunity to... Read More