This Lighting Trick Makes Any Home a Cozy Holiday Retreat for Less Than $35

To many, family traditions are what make a house a home. One of my favorites is placing a “friendship candle” in each window to kick off the holiday season and create a cozy retreat.

My childhood home is part of “candle corner.” In this heart of the neighborhood, friendship candles glow at Christmastime, telling passersby the houses are filled with joy.

Friendship candles are popular throughout the country. It’s not uncommon to find windows of bed-and-breakfasts lit up year-round, signaling, “Come on in! The fire is crackling, and hot chocolate awaits.”

Here’s how you can replicate this timeless trend in your own home during the holidays—and beyond.

The Evolution of Friendship Candles

Friendship candles have come a long way since my childhood. Every Thanksgiving weekend, my family and I would set up our “old-fashioned” friendship candles, and the cords were never long enough. Hence, ample extension cords were essential!

Each night, turning on the candles was a group effort. Mom wanted them all lit at the same time—until Dad added timers.

Another challenge? The older candles were made of lightweight plastic. When one fell off the windowsill—and they all took their turn doing so—the lightbulb broke and had to be replaced.

Fast-forward to today, and I recently purchased a set for my own home. My candles are battery-operated. The remote lets you set up a timed schedule at the start of the season. While they’re still plastic, the candles and suction cups are more substantial than the old-fashioned version.

Amazon’s YAUNGEL Window Candles

When your candles arrive, all you have to do is insert a battery, turn on each candle, and use the remote to select a brightness level and static or flickering mode. Then, set your desired schedule.

One detail that really elevates these candles? You can choose from a gold or silver base.

The price point can’t be beat. An eight-pack rings up at $30, while a 12-pack sells for $43 and a 20-pack for $70.

No windowsills? No problem. The convenient suction cups hold the candles onto any window pane.

What Comes in an 8-Pack Box:

• 8 LED window candles
• 2 remote controls
• 8 gold candleholders
• 8 suction cups

As an experienced friendship candle-er, I’ve rounded up some tips if you’re ready to start your own tradition.

• Decide whether you want candles for every window or just the front of the house.
• Order some to spare—if anything happens to one or two, you’ll want extra on hand.
• Keep a supply of extra batteries and bulbs.
• Some of the lamp choices shine brighter than others, so read the reviews and choose wisely.

Friendship candles are not just a passing fad. I’ll always remember looking at my childhood home from the outside when they’re all lit up—it looks a storybook winter wonderland. It’s a tradition my family passed to me, and I’ll pass it on to mine.