How exciting can a candle party be? (PartyLite)

Member Name: yellowroses

Product:	PartyLite
Date:	18/03/09 (500 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Top quality, nice broad range of scents, colours and styles

Disadvantages: Expensive, Expensive, No direct buying

I first found out about Partylites last Feburary when a friend invited me to a Partylite party. To be honest I almost didn't go as I wan't exactly flush with cash and how exciting can an evening discussing candles really be? However, I'm glad I did as it was both enjoyable and informative. Also unlike some other parties I have been by other companies I didn't feel the pressure to spend a fortune, book a party or become a consultant although all of this was offered.

*****PartyLites *****

PartyLites began in the early 1900s when a school teacher, Mabel Baker, began crafting candles from wild bayberries. These candles were gifted to friends and family but became a buisness. In 1973 PartyLite Gifts Inc was created and has progressed from the 3 women in a tiny office to the company it is now.

PartyLites now sells a wide range of products, the main focus is still on candles which come in many divine scents. The range of candles is extensive and the range in size from scented tea lights right through to 3 wick candles. They also sell candle holders in a wide range of designs and materials from which I'm sure you could find something to suit anyone.

Popular choices are also their flameless fragrance range. They sell reed diffusers which I haven't seen anywhere else, sachets and garlands which are ideal for keeping in drawers or cupboards to keep clothes smelling fresh along with incense sticks and novelty items such as wine glasses filled with a fragranced gel.

PatyLite products are made for quality and I feel aimed at an older market than myself. Anyone who loves have beautiful and expensive items in their home to show or to create a certain mood will love these products.

***** The Party ****

The party was great. When I arrived the consultant had set up around 30- 50 candles in my friends living room and the smell from the few that were lit was simply divine. To me there is something mesmorising about the flame on a candle, something strangely relaxing and comforting.

The next thing that struck me after the scent was the broad range. None of the candles or holders looked alike. The candle holders were really decorative and came in all different colours and styles.

The conulstant started the party by playing a game. Yeah, I made a face at that too and wondered if i could get to the door unoticed but all it involved was passing a candle around the room (even i can do this). The consultant read a short tale and everytime she said a certain word you had to pass the candle on. I think it was right for yes and left for no but it doesnt really matter. To cut a long story short i ended up winning the candle a wonderful smelling votive so that was a pleasant start to me evening.

The consultant then passed round catalogues and samples. I was expecting her to go through the catalogue page by page but to my relief she didn't. Instead she told us about special offers and drew our attention to products she thought we might be interested in and products which were a bit more unusual like the reed diffusers. She also explained a bit about how to burn a candle (trimming the wick and safety etc) and also why PartyLite candles were different to other candles. Normally when you spill hot wax off a candle it will cause quite a bad burn, for some reason (which I can't remember sorry) PartyLite candles don't. I was really cynical about this but did in fact find out for myself that it is true when i was a bit enthuiastic at hugging my candle.

Hugging, yes i really did say hugging. You know sometimes when you burn a candle you end up with a tunneling effect (a hole is burnt in the centre of the candle) which is not only a waste of half the candle but makes it difficult to light. Well hugging is a technique where you press the edge of the candle towards the centre to help it burn evenly. Another tip that was given was to burn the candle for as many hours as the diameter of the candle. For example you would allow a 3 inch wide candle to burn for 3 hours at a time.

The samples were in towers of little pots, like lip balms pots with the name of the fragrance clearly printed on the bottom. Most of these scents were so nice and ranged from the usual herby scents of lavander, lemongrass etc to fruity scents including raspberry, cherry, melon and coconut, but almost any you could imagine, and then the sweet scents such as chocolate and mint. The scents are also divided into moods- sensual, calming, invigorating you get the idea.

We then had the opportunity to ask questions and look at the candles she had brought along with her. Then the order forms were handed out and the boring paperwork done. Payment was taking on the night by means of cash or credit/ debit cards.

I have been to quite a few parties with other companies like the Body Shop, Virgin Vie, Ann Summers and even a book party but this is the only one where I would have felt comfortable handing back an empty order form. Obviously I don't know if this is typical of PartyLites or just down to luck with the consultant at the party but there was no pressure. She asked if anyone wanted a party and explained my friend (the host) would get extra comission if two parties were booked. The offers for hosts change all the time but my friend earned comission, got access to special offers and free gifts.

***** Products ****

I could list all of the products they sell but for more information their website or catalogue is probably more use. Instead I will desribe the products I bought and the service I received.

Despite not being flush with cash I fell in love with some of these products. I ordered a mottled candle in raspberry an thyme (my best purchase) a set of melon tealights and 3 tealight holders. Also I bought 2 different reed diffusers one in cherry and the other in the relaxation scent.

The melon tealights and holders were a friends birthday present and the relaxation diffuser was a mothers day present anf the other gifts for me. I have just (last night) come to the end of my candle (sobs) and if I had the spare money I would be buying another one today. I know you are probably still thinking that a candle is just a candle but there is something special about these.

The reed diffuser was also great. It was a glass bottle filled with cherry fragrance into which you insert reeds. The fragrance travels up the reeds and is circulated into the room. The smell from this was strong but not overpoweringly so. It lasted around 4 months. Unfortunately you cannot buy refills of scent. PartLite say that you can't buy refills for a perfume bottle but it seems in my opinion a waste of both the lovely glass bottle and reeds to have to just disregard them when the fragrance is finished. I have actually filled mine with sand and it is now decorating my bathroom.

***** Delivery & Price *****

The party was held on a saturday night and my friend received the goods to distirubte on the tuesday so it was really quick and hassle free. The only thing was that my friend had to seperate the orders herself. Doesn't sound like a big deal but she had 4 big boxes full.

I haven't mentioned prices till now for a reason- they are really expensive (but so worth it). You will be hard pushed to find anything in the catalogue for under £10- £15. A lot for a single candle (I can hear you) but party light philosiphy is to aim for quality and they certainly do that. I love the products i have tried and have heard nothing but good reccomendations from friends who have bought things too however I cannot justify spending that much money (no matter how nice they are) especially in todays climate. You do however, quality wise get what you pay for.

*****Overall *****

If it wasn't for the price this Partlites would get 5 stars as I have fallen in love. I felt comfortable with my candle burning and my son in the room as I knew that the wax wouldnt hurt him (although obviously the flame is a hazzard) For a special gift these PartyLite products are amazing but unless you are rolling in it you are probably better to not know what you are missing.

***** Extra Information *****

The website is http://www.partylite.com

Summary: I'm in love but need a winning lottery ticket!