It's no wonder the U.S. population buys $2 billion in candles each year. The simple combination of choice wax and a clean-burning cotton wick can add flattering light, romantic ambiance, luxurious warmth and a pleasing aroma to any environment.

And then there's the fact that candles have been improving for thousands of years. These days, they come in an overwhelming selection of sizes, shapes, colors and fragrances. Candles are easy to find, whether you're shopping online or browsing a local specialty shop. And you can buy a great candle for under $10. What a perfect gift.

Buying the Best
The highest quality candles are made of food-grade paraffin, vegetable-based soy or a blend of the two — and have lead-free paper or cotton core wicks. My very favorite gift-worthy candle scents come from PacificaCandles.com, IllumeCandles.com, ErgoCandles.com and the Henri Bendel Home line at BathandBodyWorks.com. You can also find fragrant options at ColonialCandle.com, where you'll get 5% back from ConsumerClub.com. Here are some quick, useful tips on candle use and care:

• Always trim candlewicks between 1/4" and 3/8" before lighting — and again after every three to four hours of burning.
  
• Keep candles in well-ventilated areas (away from drafts) and set them only on stable, heat-resistant surfaces.
  
• If a candle is smoking, extinguish it, let it cool, trim the wick, remove any debris near the wick and then relight it.
  
• Learn from my mistakes. Don't move a candle when it's lit or its wax is still liquid from burning. And avoid long-term exposure to direct sunlight.
  
• Keep lit candles far out of the reach of children and pets, no matter how good the candles may look on your lovely end table.
  
• Need to remove the remains of a candle from a glass container? Freeze it for an hour. The wax should shrink and come right out afterward.
  

Are you interested in learning a whole lot more about candles? Visit the National Candle Association's web site at Candles.org to find information ranging from expert candle care tips and smart safety measures to decorative ideas and fragrance trends.