This summer, there is a “small town” feeling all of us can relate to, even if we were brought up in the big city. Think about carnivals coming through town, block parties, family reunions, patriotic themes of red, white and blue, 4th of July parades (like our very own parade held on the 4th of July every year in Newhall), summer food, drink and dessert favorites.
The beauty of living in the Santa Clarita Valley is that even though there are over 200,000 residents in our community, it feels like living in a small town. Here are some ideas to make your home and neighborhood gatherings memorable.
Be practical if you are entertaining outdoors. Make sure and have a supply of Citronella Candles or “Conceal” by Yankee Candle to keep pesky bugs away while you are outdoors. Place the candles in wind-proof containers like lanterns or yard stakes. If Citronella, don’t place on the patio or outdoor table where food will be served as the fragrance can be over-powering. Setting them up about 10 feet away works just fine.
For a special touch for a backyard picnic or event, place unscented floater candles in a crystal bowl, a fountain, hot tub or pool. One option is to buy small glass floater discs that float in the water with a tea light placed inside them, and you can reuse the discs for indoor entertaining.
For the 4th of July and Labor Day, a red white and blue theme can be done at an affordable price with colored tea lights, lanterns and votive holders interspersed throughout the patio area to “sparkle” up solid white, red or blue pillows, seat covers or tablecloths. Add a floral centerpiece in patriotic colors and your friends and neighbors will be “red” with envy!
When invited to friends, family or neighbors, a unique hostess gift idea is to bring a candle, wax melt or reed diffuser in summer fragrances like raspberry lemonade, lemon citrus, juicy peach, aloe vera, mango peach salsa, pineapple ginger, sunset beach or sun and sand fragrances – thoughtful, memorable, fragrant and affordable.
Enjoy your summer. Make new memories.
Candleman of Valencia is located in the Gateway Village Center at Newhall Ranch Road and Rye Canyon at 28269 Newhall Ranch Road. The store is located between The New Moon Restaurant and George’s Bistro.
For more information, please call 661-257-9420 and www.candleman.com .