|
Creating holiday atmosphere:
The magic of flickering firelight
By Jim Youngquist
Send a link to a friend
[December 09, 2019]
"Chestnuts roasting on an open
...," That opening line made famous by Nat King Cole prompts visions
of a perfect holiday scene. Family and friends of all ages and
generations are assembling, coming in from the cold, cold outside
dressed up and feeling much like Eskimos. Festive songs playing in
the background, prompting merriment, smiles and even dancing among
those who are present. Holiday food and drinks are being prepared
and served, the sights and smells savored, shared and enjoyed.
|
|
 At the center of this perfect scene is a fire
burning bright in the fireplace that night, flickering, dancing
flames lighting the room, the perfect smell of roasting chestnuts,
the whole room lightly touched by just a perfect hint of smoke.
The roaring, crackling fire warms all those close enough to enjoy
its toasting affect, first getting roasted on the back side and then
turning to cool, only then to get roasted on the front side.
The firelight dances in the room, those gazing at the flames in a
deep trance, hypnotized, mesmerized, faces with that far away look,
flames thought provoking, fond memories invoking, the whole scene
romantic and deeply satisfying to the soul.
Nat King Cole
singing Chestnuts roasting on an open fire
Some say that when we humans see fire, we are transported back to
our primordial roots, genetic memory from our primitive past when we
captured and created and kept flames alive.
Others say that when we are in the presence of fire it reminds us
deep down of the great epic creation story, the Creator giving us
light that we might see by day and by night.
Whatever your beliefs about our origins, all humans seem to have a
strong connection to fire and firelight. It evokes strong feelings
of both fear and joy, linked to living and linked to life.
Some of your best memories may be of an evening around a crackling
campfire, snuggling with a loved one near the flames of a roaring
fireplace, or even spending long quiet hours staring at the fire,
seeing elf, fairy and dragon faces come alive among the glowing
coals.
We seem to have a strong connection with fire with food too: fixing
and then sharing s'mores around a campfire, roasting marshmallows on
long sticks, catching them on fire, attempting to just roast them to
a golden brown, some melting off the stick and then lamenting over
that perfect marshmallow that fell off into the flames; visions and
smells of roasting meat on a slowly turning spit, roasting nuts in a
pan over an open flame, or even roasting hot dogs over an open fire
on long-handled metal skewers.
The holidays are the perfect time for bringing these flaming food
elements and your favorite people together.
For those unable to have a fire in their home because they are
without an indoor fireplace, there are now outdoor ceramic
fireplaces with chimneys and portable fire pits that are allowed in
most backyards and neighborhoods. These affordable options
bring the magic of firelight and warmth to everyone, and firewood is
often sold at your nearby convenience store or gas station.
Outdoor
portable firepit
Even those on the lowest budget in a low rent
district can create holiday atmosphere with the flickering flames of
firelight that will keep you warm against the coldest night.
[to top of second column] |
Equally powerful, festive, beautiful and decorative are perfectly
placed candles that glow and burn bright.
Both scented and unscented candles accent and enliven just about any
room, can be placed up high, out of the reach of children, and their
flickering flames give off just the perfect glow. Groupings of white
candles burning bright especially bring life to the room, and life
to the party.
To the men reading this, just a reminder, there seems to be some
romantic connection between women and candles, and men can never go
wrong bringing home no-calorie candles for their mate, even for no
reason at all!
Groupings of candles burning brightly at holiday gatherings evoke
the same feelings as an open fire in a fireplace or pit, with less
fuss and little preparation. And now there are even LED-lit
artificial candles that flicker and look really real, run on
batteries removing the hazard of the open flame entirely, and are
turned on with remotes. And they seem to evoke the same romantic
feelings as their flaming, melting counterparts.
YouTube video
- Realistic LED Candles
Candles have both a religious connection and a holiday connection
for most people and you can easily create holiday atmosphere with
candlelight. Often more candles create more atmosphere. And no one
will ever think you odd because you have a large and diverse candle
collection.
So, bring out the toys, and bring out the feast, even have your
Grinch carve the roast beast. Bring out your cheer, create
atmosphere. Light up the fire, and enjoy warmth and light. This
holiday season, you can do it up right!
|
