Do you like entertaining-setting a pretty table, going the extra mile to create an exceptional meal setting for family and friends? This might be why folks like holiday meals so much—it's not just about the food we serve, there's something about the holiday décor that makes such a beautiful table as well.

Because I enjoy creating a lovely table as much as I do creating great food, I've collected ideas over the years for unusual ways to top the table. Here I want to show you some clever ideas for pretty and unusual candle holders.

Hollowing out space in oranges, lemons, and even artichokes for votives is not just stunning, it's a natural way of adding wonderful aromas to the setting. As the heated metal holder starts to heat the fruit, citrusy scents are released and it's yummy.

Not a new idea, necessarily, but still, isn't this pretty? Perfect for a Thanksgiving table, don't you think?

And fresh apples are one of my favorite votive holders.

All one color or multi-colored apples, clustered together or lined up in a row—it's always so pretty. They make nice holders for short tapers as well.

Just about any firm-bodied fruit or vegetable can be used as a candle holder, but a candle-carver (as seen in the upper corner of this picture) makes the job neat and easy.(They can range from around $6 to $14, depending on where you're shopping—amazon.com seems to have the best buys.)

And placing small candles in pretty little clear glass holders half-filled with baking sprinkles is a festive way to hold the candle in place while adding a snap of color, too.

Finally, I've been wrapping large pillar candles in cinnamon sticks for years now. I get used candles at our local thrift store that aren't that great, naked, but when wrapped like these, no one knows the difference.