(Part 2) Reddit mentions: The best candleholders

My favorite holiday is Chanukah because I fucking love latkes. (Purim is a close second with costumes and hamantaschen, but the Megillah reading is boring, so Chanukah it is.) Also Chanukah, even though it's a relatively unimportant holiday, symbolizes something so strong and important. I always think of these photographs I've seen of Jews in the Warsaw ghetto with their chanukiahs lit in their windows, celebrating their faith in spite of the Holocaust.

Something on Amazon that is related is this gorgeous (and kosher!) chanukiah. Also, for Shabbat, there's this Shabbos lamp which lets one turn the light on and off so Orthodox Jews don't violate the laws of Shabbat by using electricity. Apparently you really CAN get everything on Amazon!

Some thoughts from running decades of special Halloween sessions, and also decades of running Ravenloft:

The most horrific sessions are one-shots. Players realize they can die, and that you will be pulling no punches. I usually don't use D&D for these types of games. I've had a lot of success using Dread, for example.

Mood music is super effective. Play it at a volume level that fades into the background (you want it to be present, but you don't want it to bother anyone.) Make sure you pick music that has no vocals, because words are distracting. Also, make sure you have plenty of music--looping 4 or 5 tracks over and over through a session just gets repetitive and annoying. I have a few Spotify playlists specifically for Ravenloft and horror-type games. (If you use Spotify, make sure to pay for premium! Nothing kills the mood like having a commercial interrupt your spooky music!) This is my Ravenloft soundtrack. Here is some gothic orchestral music. Here is some ambient/drone horror music (better for a more modern, cinematic game.) Here is a playlist I like to call vampire waltz.

Buy yourself some 6 mil black plastic sheeting. Sometimes called "painter's plastic." You can get it at any hardware store. The black 6 mil is thin enough to cut with scissors, but thick enough to block out all sunlight. You can use tacks or tape to cover your windows, and make a room pitch-black. Hang two overlapping strips of it in a doorway or hall to make a light barrier. One safety warning: this stuff is flammable, so don't put candles anywhere near it.

Taper candles made out of bee wax burn brighter and longer than your standard candle. No matter what kind of taper candle you use, make sure you have holders that catch the drippings. A couple reasonably priced candelabras can go a long way at preventing messes, and also look appropriately gothic. Two of those candelabras are enough to light a small table in a pitch-black room for somewhere between 4 and 8 hours (depending on the quality of the candle.)

If you use a DM screen or other player barrier, be sure to get a third light source and position it somewhere off to your side. (If you put it behind, you will be fighting your shadow.) Also make sure it is out of arm's reach. That way you can safely shuffle notes and books around your space without fear of knocking it over.

I use a computer monitor to display images to my players. Before the game, I will queue up a movie that fits the theme of the game. Something like the 1931 Dracula, Frankenstein, or any Hammer Horror film. This mostly serves as background noise as the players filter in and get ready for the game.

To make a Halloween game feel special, serve themed food. Even a couple drops of red food coloring in a 2-Liter of Sprite can go a long way. Having high-quality, trick-or-treat worthy candy around is a must!

https://imgur.com/a/rncvZv3

I made this so I could visualize it myself. Simple and minimalist, so it seems fairly low maintenance. I like a black painted wood bench (add some pillows for your style), a black metal end table, and simple decor like potted plants and oversized lanterns. I think the curtain helps close in the area and make it look more cozy. I know this style isn't for everyone and may not exactly match your house exterior, but let me know if you like it :)

Similar table: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07J3LR86C/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_mC9CCb1EFEDPD

Cheaper/ different table: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01HX9TMGI/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_VE9CCb7D331P3

Similar benches: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00N2OZZQA/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_0F9CCbJJMYEVT
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07CGZPDVD/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_2J9CCbF47NR9T

If you wanna change the light (I like yours though): https://www.amazon.com/dp/B018UA98FO/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_GK9CCbPQB0RK5

Single sheer curtain: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B071KBN8YG/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_J19CCbVC4YN9T

Lantern: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B078TB761G/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_JL9CCbTVF38NC

Doormat: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B079QT6TKD/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_kR9CCb114QM55

Fun extras: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00K0VTVTA/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_mN9CCbHW2CS5M
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07GQTRKP5/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_9X9CCbR4RM2PM
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B006GK5ZDK/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_WZ9CCbVEWZ0D0

These beard socks are funny :)

A cool chamber light.

This awesome survival knife.

This really gorgeous beer glass.

A classic Jacob Bromwell copper flask.

Home sweet home is the place to be <3

Congrats on the new place !!

May I suggest this beautiful coffee table as a lovely center piece or a side table? You could follow this up by adding these mystifying lamps

I also think this Iron Wall Medallion would be an amazing eye-catcher when guests come into your new home!

Oh I also picked up a couple of these super cute tea light holders at the dollar store. I have one in the living room, and another on the counter in the bathroom. I'm in love!! This is the link to some Amazon seller trying to resell them for 10x the price. They're at Dollar Tree and distributed by greenbriar (Dollar Tree brand) for $1 I promise.

Tea Light Mason Jar 16oz, Black Lid https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01LLSXGZA/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_QMvHDb8ERY003

Will you have to use the champagne colored embroidered chair covers? I think white vs. champagne & embroidered will make the first big difference, because it will "bright up" the space. Same goes for the table cloths: I'd suggest different ones (lime / spring green? teal?) to give the room a complete different look. Depending on your taste, golden glitter on the tables might work, too.

Wherever possible, I would use baby breath, greenery and colorful flowers. It will remove the "rustic" feeling of the carriage house, IMO.

How weatherproof do your signs need to be? Are they going to be inside or outside? If inside, you could just use black cardboard and a golden pen. Or print things in black & gold like this. (I remember seeing a fairly similar template on greetingsisland.com for free!)


Depending on your budget and what you envision (and what is allowed), you could consider candelabras, e.g. for centerpieces. Amazon has some for ~$25. Dollar Tree has tea light candle holders with metal and in glass.
For a more upscale look, I would also consider putting up light strips around the crossbeams or having holiday lights hang down from the crossbeams.

I combined a few things I found on Amazon to create what I think would be an amazing centerpiece, but it may not be the cheapest thing ever.

Get a candelabra in black, and some purple candles.

Or, if you don't like the candelabra idea, you could layer a birdcage with some black crepe and put some tealights in as well. Worried about fire potential with that one, although I like it a lot!

They both seem pretty Addams Family themed, but obviously the final thoughts on that belong to you.

Congratulations on the wedding!

I saved about $30, I spent about $100 and I think I should just about be good until I start putting everything together with the things I already have and realize I need something else.

table runners to match my mexican/fiesta theme https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07F58D6X3/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_bLmlDbW8D3B4X

Love and tacos sign with buffet markers https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07T2LBCGB/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_dQmlDb99A939G

Paper decor hanging fans (x3) https://www.amazon.com/dp/B078NQJDB1/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_aMmlDbMSEENNW

waterproof LED string lights https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07L2RTPS6/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_1HmlDbM9P3YQX

Cake plates https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07QB4S6Q4/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_3MmlDbV8DV0TA

And some beautiful teal votive holders https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07NKP4VRT/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_7NmlDb6FN5V77

I think all of these things are thrust and cute

15 WHOLESALE WHITE MOROCCAN STYLE LANTERN WEDDING CENTERPIECES https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00CSFWC9M/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_3gwiDbXVC8TRQ

20 WHOLESALE WHITE MOROCCAN STYLE LANTERN WEDDING CENTERPIECES https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00CO1ZOU4/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_UlwiDbR2ZT49Q

25 WHITE MOROCCAN WEDDING CANDLE LANTERN CENTERPIECES https://www.amazon.com/dp/B002Q8ATIW/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_VmwiDbDPZH9F0

10 White Lattice Lantern Wedding Centerpieces https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0044E6TNU/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_3mwiDbDACV5H7

Soyee 48pcs Tropical Large Palm Leaves, DIY Waterproof Artificial Leaf Table Runners for Hawaiian Luau Party Decoration, Jungle Party Supply https://www.amazon.com/dp/B075KVN83D/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_3nwiDbAQBG02C

Artificial Fake Greenery Garland with Flowers - 6' Long Silk Faux Decorative Hanging Vines Contrasting Green Silver Leaves and White Flowers - Perfect for Table Wedding Party Home Garden Wall Decor https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07QN1GVFC/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_4owiDbCG5NRFQ

NszzJixo9 Artificial Green Plant Wreath -Simulation Green Plant Garland Home Office Decor Artificial Boxwood Wreath Leaf Wreath for Front Door Wall Window Party Decor,Indoor/Outdoor Use https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07RQQPQ1Q/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_opwiDbVPY9N0J

The sailor moon funko on your wishlist is pretty cute, I'd get that if I were you :)

If you want something huggable this is a good choice :D

This is a good choice if you're looking for decor!

A great holiday gift for them would be candles to put in every window. My parents had something like these, very retro!

I always thought this bedding set would be cool!

These wall sconces are super cool!

Congrats on the new apartment!

Yup, candle warmers are awesome. You can definitely find some classy ones too.

These are not the best looking but the price is right. This one is pretty, but red. Maybe you could hack something together by glueing a lantern you like onto a taper candlestick, like people do to make cake stands.

amazon also offers these at $4 a piece

https://www.amazon.com/Kate-Aspen-Luminous-Mini-Lanterns/dp/B000VU9SXY/ref=pd_sim_86_6?ie=UTF8&dpID=31N9rLUK4OL&dpSrc=sims&preST=_AC_UL160_SR160%2C160_&psc=1&refRID=QQ1C89R63YKJ7EY9667T

these are $9

https://www.amazon.com/Gifts-Decor-Small-Lantern-Candleholder/dp/B008YRQBDG/ref=pd_sim_201_7?ie=UTF8&dpID=41HwqiIqscL&dpSrc=sims&preST=_AC_UL160_SR160%2C160_&psc=1&refRID=4QJ8VAN2VQXH9KGX6JPV

honestly there are a lot of options out there for under $11 where you don't have to put in any time or labor on your part! good luck!