Candle Holders - Instead of buying expensive candle holders, go to thrift stores and buy clear juice glasses, shrimp cocktail jars and crystal plates. Don't be afraid to buy mismatches.  This could run anywhere from $.05 - .25 per glass and $.50 - $2.00 per plate.  

When shopping at your grocery store, pay attention to the glass containers that are available when you purchase items such as spaghetti sauce, jams or jellies, and candy.  

Tea Candles - These candles work best for the about type of holders because they burn clean with no residue or wax drips. Buy these in bulk ! These are usually inexpensive at $1.00-$2.00 for a pack of 10. They come either with or without fragrance. Using your thrift store glassware, put one tea candle per glass and line them up on a window sill or group them together on a plate for your end table.  Use them as a temporary alternative for electricity and place 5 -10 tea candles in the middle of a platter as a center piece for a dining room table with a sprig of greenery to finish the look! (see Reflective Platter Project) The challenge with this type of candle is they need to be replaced often due to fast burning. 

Quality - Obviously the higher quality candles have a slower burn and have a more intense fragrance.  Depending on how often you burn candles, it may be cost effective to spend a little extra money for a  these "high quality" candles. Use the power of concentration thinking - if it lasts longer your paying less! 

* Please use caution and common sense when burning candles. Dorm residents usually are not allowed to have candles in their rooms