Apple Votives

I have no idea where I found the idea for apple votives, surely too long ago to remember, perhaps it was in France during the era of Parisian florist Christian Tortu, because to me the concept is not new and I have been making these for ages but not recently. In any case, I did not invent it; but I have gotten a handful of requests for more information, so here goes~ 

You can scour your farmers market and grocery for apples, tomatoes, pumpkins, citrus, cauliflower, broccoli and indeed anything fresh, to hold votive and taper candles; anything natural that can act as a weighted base is perfect; I will show you more examples soon.  I used just two apple votives last weekend on each of eighteen lunch table for the San Diego Organic Farmers lunch, and everyone was gaga for them.  Paul Smit had generously given me two crates of apples and another of grapes, and when I was done with the centerpieces, what was I to do with all the extra apples? Though it was lunch, votives added a nice touch~

Start with one apple of any size and one inexpensive votive candle; these small apples are crisp and cute and the small apples have a good ratio of candle to apple~

Using a knife, cut a hole in the top of the apple that is approximately the same diameter as the candle; the knife is at an angle, better to cut smaller and increase than have the space too large; but try it once an you will understand~

You should end up with two pieces like this, reserve this little cap~

Using your knife, cut out the interior space to accommodate the candle base; it doesn’t have to be pretty, just has to fit the candle~

Cut the bottom off of the original cap you cut out; this provides a flat bottom for the candle wick, very important!! Otherwise your wick might drop out of the bottom of the candle~

Replace the little triangle cutting into the apple, again, flat side up, to keep the candle wick from falling into the bottom of the apple~

Set the votive candle with wick minus the aluminum cup into the apple and light…and enjoy….do not ever leave any candle unattended and I use leaves or other under these votives to catch any dripping wax~

Don’t limit yourself to apples. What about lining your walk or party table with mini pumpkin votives?  Use the same technique to take this~

to this, each one will take you a minute to prepare~ use whatever to stuff the pumpkin to support the candle; I used some apple scraps~

both are cute side by side, and most effective at night. I love the glow of the pumpkin~

and in the few minutes it took to get these pics up, this is what the votives look like, as the candle burns down; they look even better~

Perhaps this will give you a few ideas for Thanksgiving, or Christmas, or even next year for Halloween??  Enjoy~

AND Be sure to enter the Giveaway of French Basketeer & Metis Linens goods hosted by the lovely & talented Yvonne of STONE GABLE.