Don’t laugh.
When an overtired mom shuttles five overeager kids into a secular discount store on the second day of Advent, this is the result.
Two-packs of sturdy purple candles on the clearance rack.
That was all they had.
There were no pink or purple tapers to speak of…only vanilla-scented this and brownish boxed sets of that. (I assume they smelled like spice or something, but who decorates with brown at Christmas?!)
One child offered me some magenta tapers which was the closest thing they had to purple. I shook my head firmly and she put them back.
Another came bounding over like a jubilant gazelle. He had found a box of orangish-pink tapers–read: regurgitated salmon–and wondered: Would these do?
Decidedly not.
I finally found the above-mentioned candles at the end of the aisle and did a little happy dance at their discovery. I did not have time to drive across town to the Catholic bookstore! (My husband, by the way, would add that we have neither the time nor the budget for a trip to the Catholic bookstore. Ever. Can you say impulse purchases?)
A yard of pink ribbon to mark the 3rd Sunday (and to cover up a crack in the wax) and we were good to go.
It’s really not that bad, is it?
Or should I have asked our bishop first?
Ad Jesum per Mariam,
We don’t have a Catholic store here, so I usually order mine from Leaflet Missal, our very favorite catalog, but I forgot. I had a lot of white tapers, and the children tied on pink and purple ribbons. It works. 🙂 I’m pretty sure God doesn’t care what color our candles are, anyway, except insomuch as they help us to prepare our souls for His coming. I like your candles just fine, and if you do, it’s all good!
We are using the candles from last year. Is that bad? I forgot to get new ones this year as well. I agree with Jennie. God doesn’t care much about the color of our candles. I love Our Lady in the middle of your wreath!
We did white with purple and pink ribbon, too. I’m asking, with all these moms caught unawares, who is buying all the Advent candles?
For the first time, ever, I bought mine early at 50% off when our local Catholic bookstore changed owners and had a moving sale!
If you want to laugh, imagine an advent wreath made up of jar candles: 3 lilac and a black cherry. I’m just saying…it’s been done!
Our church uses oil candles for the advent wreath. So they are wrapped in pink an purple ribbon. It works and unless you are the nosey type, you probably wouldn’t notice it.
I’m so relieved to know I’m not the only one having difficulty keeping up with the Advent candles! Yours looks great, Margaret!
It is a brave mom who takes 5 kids to any store, let alone a supersize-over stimulating store. The fact that you left with candles is laudable. I trotted out last night and almost forgot to pick up tp–the one thing I needed!
Happy Advent
I forgot to add: triple bravos that you have the advent wreath up and shining. I think this time last year I was still shuffling around in pjs trying to remember where I left my coffee.
The religious goods store was sold out of candles, but I managed to spend $35 anyway.
Walmart had purple, but no pink. We have one white with pink ribbon. Good enough.
The smile on that little gal’s face says “Mommy it’s beautiful!” and that’s all you need to be concerned with!!!!
She is right, BTW.
Our parish school’s spiritual enhancement (the faith-based arm of the Home and School group) puts together sets of tapers for Advent wreaths, including a booklet for the blessing of the wreath, weekly prayers, etc…and sells them during parent-teacher conferences. All profits go directly back into their committee, which purchases holy cards, scapulars, rosaries, and provides faith-filled programs during the school year for our families.
It is win-win all around and was a big success last year!
Jane
Last year’s candles melt in the attic. Haven’t been able to find any actual advent candles. MY 4 year old came home from preschool with a wreath made from green play0do, 3 blue bday cake candles and one pink. She is so proud and it is so sweet, we’re using it instead of the big one. I’ll buy some white tapers for Christmas.
How about the year we did our first advent wreath at home–we got it wrong & used 3 pink candles & 1 purple candle. OOPS! At least we had good intentions.
Two years ago I found several boxes of Advent candles at the dollar store & bought 4 boxes. They get stored in the basement. I’m still good til next year when I’ll need to find some more.
Your set looks great!
Did you tie the bow yourself? It looks perfect!
Hallmark stores this year sold a 4 candle advent set, but sayin gthat– yours look great!
Michele
I think you and I could get together and arrange for a post-the-photo-of-your-improvised-
Advent-wreath contest.
My candles are in a round casserole dish ’cause I can’t find the greenery in my attic, and none of my neighbors have an evergreen tree I can steal branches from.