Growing up, one of our great family traditions was to read Charles Dickens's A Christmas Carol. We all took turns reading the different parts although my father always loved playing Jacob Marley, Ebenezer Scrooge's business partner. Since childhood, and probably because of this small but meaningful novel, I have associated Christmas with London. Of all of the most important symbols of England no two stand out to me more than the Queen and Westminster Abbey: the coronation church since 1066 and the place where monarchs including both Queen Elizabeths's have either been coronated, wed or buried and sometimes all three.
The Charles Farris name has always been synonymous with candle manufacturing, British Culture and craftsmanship. They still use the same traditional methods from the Victorian era to make the best candles for modern day: slow-burning, long-lasting, and of the highest quality.
Since 1845 chandler Charles Farris has been associated with these Royal traditions. The ultimate candlemaker, they provide pillar candles to Westminster Abbey and serve by appointment to Her Majesty the Queen. Westminster Abbey has been closed because of the Covid-19 but has now reopened and this year there will once again be festive lessons, carols and singing.
With 170 years of experience, Charles Farris has now created a range of eight luxury scented candles and reed diffusers. Working with master blenders to create unique and beautiful scents, they are also environmentally friendly - even the packaging is recycled. Using time-honored methods to make their beeswax candles, each one is hand-dipped and even though the process is slow and can take many days, there is no other method to create tapered candles with such a beautifully smooth finish.
More importantly, Charles Farris subscribes to the sustainability standards (environmental, social and economic) promoted by the Royal Warrant Holders Association (RWHA) and are committed to working with their suppliers to ensure that raw materials (where applicable) come from sustainable sources. This includes natural waxes and wicks (cotton). Even their packaging is recycled or recyclable, as is the cardboard used for packing material.
They are also dedicated to reducing carbon emissions wherever possible and for this purpose installed a sealed circulating system for melting wax to reduce energy and water consumption significantly.
I will light these candles at home and think of the things I feel grateful for (home and family) but I will also look back to times with my father in the way I remember him best - reading his beloved Dickens.
Xoxo,
Grace
