
Bayberry Candle Scents in Modern Traditions
- You can either choose to light their bayberry candle on either Christmas Eve, New Year's Eve, or both.
- Some people recite the Bayberry poem while other follow a religious tradition of reading a Bible verse about the birth of Jesus.
- Allow the candle to burn down completely, or until it goes out on its own, to bring prosperity and happiness to those in the household.
Why do we burn bayberry candles on Christmas Eve?
The burning of bayberry candles on Christmas Eve can be considered one of these treasured traditions. Believed to have originated during the colonial times, the bayberry candle is still being lit on Christmas Eve for the bringing of cheerful blessings. It is one which I remember doing growing up, and continue to do myself today.
What is the bayberry candle poem about?
What is the bayberry candle poem? “These bayberry candles come from a friend. So on Christmas Eve and New Year’s Eve burn it down to the end. For a bayberry candle burned to the socket will bring joy to the heart and gold to the pocket.”
When should I Light my bayberry candle?
If you are burning the candle for good luck in the coming year, light it on Christmas Eve, New Year’s Eve, or Yule. If your candle has a long wick, trim it to 1/2″ or less before lighting. What Does a Bayberry Candle Smell Like?
Why do we burn candles on New Year's Eve?
These Bayberry tapers were a real treasure to the colonists who saved them for special occasions - it was a luxury to be saved and relished. Soon, it became tradition to burn your candles on Christmas or New Years Eve to bring blessings of abundance in the upcoming year.

When should you burn a bayberry candle for good luck?
Yes, burning bayberry candles on Christmas Eve or New Year's Eve is a tradition that has been around for many years.
What is the significance of bayberry candles?
These Bayberry tapers were a real treasure to the colonists who saved them for special occasions - it was a luxury to be saved and relished. Soon, it became tradition to burn your candles on Christmas or New Years Eve to bring blessings of abundance in the upcoming year.
Where did the bayberry candle tradition come from?
In homes throughout the Coal Region, flames flicker on bayberry candles both Christmas Eve and New Years Eve. This generations old tradition stems from the legend that the burning of the candles on these days brought about blessings of abundance in the coming year.
Can you burn a bayberry candle anytime?
You can work with bayberry at any time of the year, not just around the winter solstice.
What candle do you light on Christmas Eve?
Lighting candles on Christmas Eve, also known as "Heilige Nacht," (Holy Night) is an ancient Christmas tradition. Typically, a big white candle is kept lit the entire night of Christmas Eve, signifying Christ, who is understood to be the "light of the world" (John 8:12, 9:5).
What color candles burn on New Years Eve?
Light candles on New Year's Eve as a way to make next year one you can really enjoy. Color is important here as well — red is for love, yellow will help with finances, and green brings good health. If you have kids in your family, have them blow out the candles as a way to ensure they work.
What candle do you light on New Years Eve?
Light a bayberry candle. If you want to ensure good luck in the coming year, you may want to burn a bayberry candle. The olive green colored, strongly scented candle is thought to bring good luck to your home when burned around the holidays.
What does it mean to burn a candle to the socket?
In a book of proverbs, I see an entry - He is burnt to the socket. It means, according to my native language (i.e. Kannada), life has drained from the person and death is beckoning.
Why do people put lights in the window?
Following the Irish tradition, it was a beacon of safety, letting visitors know that their home would offer them refuge. It also was a beacon to neighbors, as homes used to be very far apart. The light shining in the window would light the way for visitors as they traveled to visit their neighbors.
What time do you light the bayberry candle on Christmas Eve?
Is the Christmas Eve bayberry candle tradition different from the New Year's Eve bayberry candle tradition? No. Both dictate that the candle be lit in the evening, when you see the first star. Both also say that it should be lit until after midnight.
What do bayberry candles smell like?
Common descriptions of the fragrance of bayberry candles include: Slightly bitter. Having sweet berry overtones. Woodsy.
Is bayberry a Christmas scent?
You see bayberry is a native North American shrub, one that didn't cross the Atlantic Ocean until well into the 17th century. So the origins of the association between Christmas and bayberry only go back to our nation's colonial period, where it was considered good luck to light a new bayberry candle on Christmas Eve.
What time do you light the bayberry candle on Christmas Eve?
Is the Christmas Eve bayberry candle tradition different from the New Year's Eve bayberry candle tradition? No. Both dictate that the candle be lit in the evening, when you see the first star. Both also say that it should be lit until after midnight.
Is bayberry a holiday scent?
The scent of bayberry candle wax is often said to be strong and full-bodied. This naturally aromatic wax possesses a unique fragrance that has become a classic holiday scent.
What does a bayberry candle smell like?
Bayberry is also delightfully fragrant, but only up close. You can't find bayberry by following the fragrance to its source as you might a rose, wild grapes or even witch hazel. You must crush one of its berries in your fingers or rub one of its leaves under your nose to appreciate its peppery scent.
What are bayberry candles made of?
Long lasting bayberry candles are hand-dipped in the 18th-century manner and made from the wax on the berries of the bayberry shrub. Even burning, high quality bayberry candle has minimal drips. Sold as a pair, each is 10". Our bayberry candles are beeswax based with 100% cotton wicks.
What does the bayberry candle mean?
There are a few versions of the poem that capture the meaning behind the bayberry candle. If you’re burning the candle with the intention to manifest good fortune, reciting the poem as you do so can help, whether or not you think of doing so as a “spell.”. “A bayberry candle comes from a friend. So on Christmas Eve, burn it down to the end.
How much is a bayberry candle?
Here are some to choose from. 1. Christmas Tree Bayberry Candle, $8.95. The fir tree shape of this hand-poured bayberry candle is perfect for Christmas or Yule and its faint scent is ideal if your household is sensitive to aromas. 2. Pinecone Bayberry Candle, $11.95.
Why didn't the Colonial women make bayberry taper candles?
But, they couldn’t create many of them because they needed to boil 15 pounds of bayberries to get one pound of wax.
What to do if you get tired before bayberry candle?
So, if you get too tired before the bayberry candle has burned all the way to the end, I recommend doing the same thing we do with candles used for candle magic: don’t blow it out, but put something over it that will slowly extinguish it. Relight it the following night and let it burn completely.
How long do taper candles burn?
This pair of 8″ taper candles is mostly dripless and each will burn for 8 to 10 hours.
What was the smell of a candle made of?
At that time, candles were made from animal fat (tallow). When burned, they gave off a lot of smoke and had an unpleasant odor. Around the same time, they noticed that the bayberry bush (also known as wax myrtle) produced a waxy substance when they boiled the berries.
What are bayberry spells?
Bayberry spells can help with: reducing overspending. good fortune. granting wishes. money-drawing (bringing money your way) By reciting the bayberry poem and setting your intention for the coming year, you may be able help move things in a positive direction when it comes to good fortune.
What color are bayberry candles?
Bayberry candles are usually olive green in color and have a nice scent that permeates the house. Bayberry candles have been in North America since Colonial times. This is likely why they were chosen, as they were a special treat during the holiday season. May this legend come true for you.
How long should a bayberry candle be before lighting?
On Christmas Eve and New Year’s Eve, a tapered bayberry candle like those pictured below is burned. Trim each wick to a maximum length of 3/8″ before lighting. Failure to do so could lead to improper burning.
How long does a candle stay lit?
Most importantly, you must time the lighting of the candle so it will stay lit until after midnight. Legend has it that will bring a year of prosperity and good fortune to the house. Coal Region Connections.
Can you burn a candle on Christmas Eve?
For those attending candlelight church services on Christmas Eve or those heading out to party New Year’s Eve, be sure to burn the candle carefully on a dish inside a kitchen sink. DO NOT extinguish the candle (that’s bad luck). It must be allowed to burn out on its own.
When do you light a candle?
You usually light the candle when the 1st star appears. Most importantly, you must time the lighting of the candle so it will stay lit until after midnight. Again, legend has it that will bring a year of prosperity and good fortune to the house.
Is it too late to buy bayberry candles?
If this good luck tradition is new to you, it’s not too late to buy a pair of bayberry candles and seek out a special friend to do an exchange. May this good luck legend come true for you.
What color are bayberry candles?from adayinourshoes.com
Bayberry candles are usually olive green in color and have a nice scent that permeates the house. Bayberry candles have been in North America since Colonial times. This is likely why they were chosen, as they were a special treat during the holiday season. May this legend come true for you.
How long should a bayberry candle be before lighting?from adayinourshoes.com
On Christmas Eve and New Year’s Eve, a tapered bayberry candle like those pictured below is burned. Trim each wick to a maximum length of 3/8″ before lighting. Failure to do so could lead to improper burning.
How long does a candle stay lit?from adayinourshoes.com
Most importantly, you must time the lighting of the candle so it will stay lit until after midnight. Legend has it that will bring a year of prosperity and good fortune to the house. Coal Region Connections.
When do you light a candle?from adayinourshoes.com
You usually light the candle when the 1st star appears. Most importantly, you must time the lighting of the candle so it will stay lit until after midnight. Again, legend has it that will bring a year of prosperity and good fortune to the house.
Can you burn a candle on Christmas Eve?from adayinourshoes.com
For those attending candlelight church services on Christmas Eve or those heading out to party New Year’s Eve, be sure to burn the candle carefully on a dish inside a kitchen sink. DO NOT extinguish the candle (that’s bad luck). It must be allowed to burn out on its own.
Why do colonists burn bayberry candles?
They considered them luxuries and saved them for special occasions. Many colonists lit their bayberry tapers on the eve of a special day such as Christmas or New Year's. As years passed, more people lit their candles on those special evenings and the tradition of burning a bayberry candle at the holidays began.
What is a bayberry candle made of?
Another type of scented bayberry candle is made from a type of wax, or wax blend, other than bayberry. A bayberry fragrance or essential oil is added to the wax to give the candle a bayberry scent. Popular wax choices include:
What are the two types of bayberry shrubs?
Two types of bayberry shrubs, the Myrica Pensylvanica known as the Northern Bayberry and the Myrica Cerifera known as the Southern Bayberry, were plentiful along the entire Eastern coastline The prolific growing plants reached as far west as Texas.
How much bayberry wax is needed to make a candle?
Even today depending on moisture availability, it still takes from three to fifteen pounds of bayberries to make a single pound of bayberry wax. The bayberry candles burned cleanly since they were made from natural wax.
What was the first candle made in colonial America?
Bayberry candles were the first scented candles made in colonial America. The early settlers of the Eastern coast quickly discovered they could make candles from the wax residue that resulted from boiling the bluish grey berries of the bayberry shrubs.
When do you light a bayberry candle?
You can either choose to light their bayberry candle on either Christmas Eve, New Year's Eve, or both.
Why do you burn candles?
Allow the candle to burn down completely, or until it goes out on its own, to bring prosperity and happiness to those in the household.
Information about the the bayberry wax we carry
Our bayberry wax yields authentic bayberry candles, unlike many bayberry candles sold today that rely on artificially created fragrances and artificial green colorings. If your store bought “bayberry candle” smells like cinnamon, you may just have a cinnamon candle that has been dyed green.
How to make your own bayberry candles
Betterbee’s own Suzanne Cohen, making a batch of bayberry candles for this article.
Why burn bayberry candles on Christmas Eve?
If you want to start a new Christmas tradition in your home, lighting a bayberry candle for health, wealth, and prosperity is a simple tradition that can be easily added to your holiday.
Why do you burn bayberry candles?
Whether or not this legend is true, I don’t know. But, most years, we will burn Bayberry candles as our Christmas candles.
How much bayberry wax to make a pound?
The wax would rise to the top of the water. You would skim the wax off the top once it cooled. It took about 15 pounds of bayberries to make a pound of wax. From this wax, the more well-off families would make their winter candles. The start of the legend of the bayberry candle involved quite a bit of work in colonial times.
What does a bayberry candle mean?
Bayberry candle meaning. Folklore says that if you light a brand new bayberry candle on Christmas Eve you will have health, wealth, and prosperity for the new year. You absolutely must burn it all the way down to the bottom. The legend of the bayberry candle says that “A bayberry candle burnt to the socket brings food to the larder and gold to ...
How to make a bayberry candle?
You make candles by dipping the wick repeatedly into vats of melted wax. You hang the candles to dry once the wax hardens.
What is bayberry oil?
For those interested in essential oils, bayberry oil is a by-product of boiling down the berries. Historically, you would use bayberry oil as a gargle for sore throats. You can also sprinkle it around your home to help bring you luck and wealth according to the legend of the bayberry candle.
How many candles did the colonial women need to light their home?
Most of these chores fell to the women. Women were in charge of making the candles their family would need. The average colonial home would need up to 400 candles to light the home for a year.
When did the Bayberry Candle start?
The Bayberry Candle Christmas Tradition. Colonial Candle's founding lady, Ma Mabel, began crafting candles in the early 1900s from the wild bayberries that grew in her native Cape Cod. To this day, it's still one of Colonial Candle's top sellers.
What were the first candles made of?
Everything was in short supply - including candles. Generally, candles were made of tallow (animal fat) which tend to smoke and give off an odor - they can turn rancid as well.
What did the early colonists learn about bayberry wax?
They learned to collect and save the bayberry wax that would rise to the surface of the water and make them into taper candles.
Do bayberry tapers burn longer than tallow?
The Bayberry tapers burned longer and cleaner than the tallow version. Unfortunately, it takes a lot of bayberries to make enough wax to make a single taper. These Bayberry tapers were a real treasure to the colonists who saved them for special occasions - it was a luxury to be saved and relished.
Why do Christians burn bayberry candles?
Many Christians believe that the light of the Bayberry Candle on Christmas Eve will welcome the Christ child into their home. Legend states that the Bay Tree sheltered the Holy Family during a storm and as a result lightning will never strike it. Give the gift of a Bayberry candle. Many believe burning a bayberry candle to the end on New Years Eve ensures your household will enjoy a year of prosperity and good luck.
What do bayberry candles mean?
The candles would burn in the kitchen one on Christmas eve and one on New Years eve. Bayberry candles signify a special gift giving pleasure at Christmas time. Legend has it that if you burn a gifted Bayberry candle down to the end on Christmas Eve, you will have good health and gold in your pocket the following year. Some families, like ours, burn one on Christmas Eve and one on New Year's Eve. Others only on Christmas eve.
Why do people burn bayberry candles?from celebrationjoy.com
They say, it creates a closer bond and improves partnership. Some also believe that burning these candles in homes would attract wealth and prosperity.
What is a bayberry candle?from celebrationjoy.com
Bayberry candle is a greenish, strong scented candle illuminating millions of houses since forever. Lighting these candles on Christmas or New Year's Eve is a widely celebrated tradition. CelebrationJoy walks you through some information about the origin of the Bayberry tradition, its legend and this marvelous tradition.
How to get bayberry scent in candles?from celebrationjoy.com
Bayberry scent in a candle is obtained by adding a bayberry fragrance or essential oil to the popular wax types such as beeswax, paraffin and soy. Mrs. Mabel Baker, a Cape Cod woman, was the first to make hand-dipped bayberry candles from wild bayberries.
What were the first candles made of?from colonialcandle.com
Everything was in short supply - including candles. Generally, candles were made of tallow (animal fat) which tend to smoke and give off an odor - they can turn rancid as well.
Where were bayberry candles made?from celebrationjoy.com
Legend has it that bayberry candles were made in the eastern coast of America which were the first scented candles ever made. The settlers there realized there was a scarcity of supplies which included even candles.
How long does a candle stay lit?from adayinourshoes.com
Most importantly, you must time the lighting of the candle so it will stay lit until after midnight. Legend has it that will bring a year of prosperity and good fortune to the house. Coal Region Connections.
Why do candles burn to the core?from celebrationjoy.com
It is believed that letting these candles burn to the core would make for an abundant life filled with joy.
