Tea light candles, the smaller cousin of votive candles, offer a versatile, attractive addition to home decor and are widely available. Candles come poured in a simple tin mold, scented or unscented and in white or colors. Candles can be packaged with a set of tea light holders, sold singly or packaged in sets from 6 to 36. Battery operated LED versions that have the look of tea lights without any smoking or burn danger are also available some are even rechargeable. Holders for tea lights are even more diverse and because of the wide selection of styles and choices available from very inexpensive to high end they have become a popular collectible especially for homes and apartments where space and storage is at a premium.

Target stores have a variety of glass tea light holders including sets of 3 glass bowl holders in trendy colors for $14.99 to euro style holders in glass or wood from $7.99 to as much as $44.00. Some sets include the tea light candle holders packaged together others are the holders or sets of holders by themselves.

IKEA sells a wide variety of both tea lights and holders with single holders for as little as 99 cents and most items under $10.00. T. J. Maxx has a more upscale assortment of tea light holders from 3 hand painted glass cups ($7.99) figural china or glass holders ($6.99 - $12.99) up to elaborate tea light sconces mostly under $20.00.

While discount stores are a great source for inexpensive items merchandise is often limited to stock on hand and holiday themed merchandise may appear in mid-summer for fall-winter events far before they are needed. If you are shopping online you only need to search for tea light holders to find an avalanche of possibilities. Amazon.com for instance currently has an Eiffel Tower holder for $32.99, a glass and metal flower sconce for about $20.00 and “decorator” sets ranging from $6.99 up.

Online auctions offer “Buy it now” options and you can find angels, retro china and glass ware, Asian sauce dishes and plenty of hanging tea light holders, literally hundreds of choices all suitable for use to spice up your room. There are a variety of sites for auctions online and most outlets will come up under your initial search for tea lights.

If the need is for a large number of these holders say for a wedding reception or party, search for bulk of these items and you will find distributors. Any numbers of dealers price by quantity however if you have one of the retail stores mentioned above near your home (like IKEA) you may do better shopping there as you can save shipping costs.

Upscale specialty and candle shops offer beautiful choices in a range of prices and featuring Disney, Precious Moments and other major characters and brand names including high end crystal and silver. Gift themes like bridal and Holiday merchandise may be available in these locations all year. Despite being "special" these shops will have offerings from all prices ranges from simple holders to elaborate character sculptures which are musical and can sell for over a hundred dollars.

Whatever the occasion, the decor and the budget, tea lights and tea light holders are fun additions that make any event a little more warm and festive.