You can purchase the product reviewed here by clicking the Amazon product link a the top or bottom.

If you've read any of my previous posts on outdoor torches, tiki torches, patio torches and the like, you know I'm not a very pitchy guy. I love the darned things and throwing parties with them as a central, mood-setting tool, but I don't sell anything so I haven't had to “sell” you on much of anything. That's gonna change, gang.

My previous post pointed out that I've seen the light (pardon the pun) and have been brought to the realization that providing you with a direct source to the tiki torches you want to buy is actually a service rather than a self-serving action. After all, why talk about the virtues of a particular torch like a great copper tiki torch and then leave you floundering for a place to buy it. NO MORE, I say! And I think we'll start things out with a bang!

Most of my own garden events are of a festive, tropical nature so my selection of torches consist mainly of bamboo and carved wood designs (Aztec faces and the like). But I think a great way to add both class and a festive spirit to a contemporary garden setting is through the use of metal tiki torches. The type of metal doesn't much matter. Brass, bronze, copper or brushed steel patio torches are all classy and all perfectly functional. In fact, the only real downside to a selection of, say, copper garden torches is usually the price.

Now imagine a selection of copper tiki torches that doesn't cost a lot. Imagine being able to buy copper tiki torches online, in bulk for a bargain basement price. Better yet, imagine not even having to pay for shipping! That's a deal, gang, and one I simply can't resist passing on to you.

Let's get the price out of the way. Backyard Bargain LLC is selling 12 beautiful 72 inch copper tiki torches for $129.95 through Amazon. That translates to just $10.77 a per torch, folks. While it may sound like I'm trying out a career as a cheesy salesman, I am being completely sincere when I say that's just an astounding price you'd be extremely hard pressed to beat for copper tiki torches. The fun doesn't stop there, though.

What I love about these copper tiki torches is the decorative stem design. You can see the post twists into a beautiful design reminiscent of wrought iron but without iron's annoying habit of rusting. It's little touches like that which add up to an eye-catching, contemporary torch sure to add flare to any evening garden party.

Now some of you may actually be turned off by the $129.95 price tag and I'll grant you that, if you only need 1 or 2 garden torches, this collection isn't for you. But if you have a moderate size garden or multiple elevations in your garden that can accommodate a dozen torches, my advice is to end your search here an now, click on the Amazon link and buy the darn things. I passed the same recommendation on to my sister-in-law (she's secretly jealous of the parties I throw) and she has already placed the order. If I'm recommending it to family, you can feel secure in the fact that I think this set of copper outdoor torches is a deal worth having.

That's it, gang. I'll be writing about another good deal on tiki torches in the coming days that's a bit more modest in quantity but just as fantastic a bargain. See you again soon!

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I spent a few hours in the company of good friends at our local watering hole Friday night catching up after not having seen each other in a couple months. There was lot's of reminiscing, meeting of new friends, a lot of laughs and, on more than one occasion, questions about how I intended to kick off the outdoor party season when the weather finally warmed.

One of the folks in attendance was a new face; a pleasant young woman (we'll call her Ellen) in town visiting my wife's good friend. She perked up as one of my friends ribbed me about my tiki torch blog and started asking me a bunch of questions. I didn't think much of it, answered her questions, gave her the link to the site and then let the rest of the night carry me along in that calmly chaotic way a night out drinking with friends tends to do.

Where Can I Buy Patio Torches Online?

The following day I received an email from Ellen. Here's what it said.

Tiki (not my real name either, obviously) -

I had a great time last night and really enjoyed meeting you. I took a look at your site and loved the advice, tips and recipes. I'm curious, though... why don't you sell tiki torches on your site? I actually wanted to buy a couple.

Thanks again,

E

What you should know about Ellen is that she's in marketing. I didn't realize that as I read her letter (we have a firm NO WORK CHAT policy at our gatherings) but I soon discovered her profession after calling her Saturday afternoon to thank her for coming and to answer her question about the blog.

I rang up Ellen and explained the drive behind my blog (the tiki torch blog is simply an extension of my passion for throwing great outdoor parties). Great, she exclaimed, but what about folks who visit your blog who are actually looking to buy tiki torches? I responded that the ads on my blog (they are randomly generated around the tiki torch topic) would probably get them what they need.

We ended our conversation with idle chat and her promise to attend the first tiki party I throw in 2010 and I assumed that was the end of it. An hour later, though, Ellen called back. Apparently, it isn't in her nature to let an idea drop.

Ellen explained that, from a customer perspective, it's really irritating to have to go through multiple steps to make a purchase. Since my blog is focused on the topic of patio torches, it will naturally attract visitors who want to make a purchase. By catering to their needs I not only have a shot of paying for my hosting fees, but I also give my visitors something they need or want. She further explained that I wouldn't need to worry about storing any inventory. What I should do, she pointed out, was simply throw up some affiliate products. If people see something they want, they could simply click the affiliate link and make the purchase they need. Amazon, she said, could be just the marriage my visitors and I need.

Shop for Garden Torches Online!

After giving it a lot of thought that night, I concluded that Ellen might be on to something and I checked Amazon out. Sure enough, they have a small selection of tiki torches. I have to admit I was pleasantly surprised by the prices too. In my experience, they are highly competitive. I certainly can't argue with the convenience of  being able to shop for garden torches online, either. Most importantly, they offer the most commonly purchased models which is what most of you will probably want to start out with. I really can't find any fault in Ellen's thinking.

So, folks, that's the upcoming change to this site. Over the next few weeks I'll begin writing tiki torch reviews and revisiting some of my previous posts to ad in links directly to Amazon so that you can buy tiki torches online without going through the hassle of browsing for ads on this site which may or may not give you what you want. I hope you find the change helpful. I know I'm looking forward to gearing up for spring (wish it would hurry up and get here) and getting new and helpful content up.

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Well I've been a bit sluggish about posting to my blog (life does have a nasty habit of getting in the way sometimes) so I've decided to start including some ideas to help you host the perfect island-style tiki torch parties! And what, aside from the tiki torches, of course, makes Caribbean themed parties so fantastic? Food, music and friends!

Now, I can't help you in the friend department (though you're welcome to always consider me your pal as long as you don't need to borrow money) but I can help you in both the music and food departments. Today I want to introduce you to a fundamental food suggestion which is, keep it tropical. A tiki torch party with the regular ol' burgers, hotdogs and steak just isn't much of a tiki party. It's just a cook out.

So how can you liven up, spice up and ramp up your usual grillin' goodies to make them pop? Salsa, baby. And not just any ol' salsa. Tiki torch parties with a tropical feel need any of a variety of salsa recipes that include tropical fruit. Think mango, papya, pinapple and the like. To get you started off right, here's a pineapple salsa recipe that will really liven up a fish (particularly salmon) or turkey burger dinner and make it tiki torch appropriate!

You will need:

• 1 (16oz) can pineapple - tidbits or sliced if you don't mind doing some cutting
• ¼ cups each diced red and green bell pepper
• ¼ cup finely chopped red onion
• ¼ cup fresh chopped cilantro
• 2 ½ tsp chopped jalapeno peppers
• 1 tablespoon fresh lime juice (see tip after ingredients for how to get the most juice out of a lime)
• ¼ teaspoon of grated lime peel

Place lime on countertop and place palm of hand on top of it. Place palm of other hand on top of first hand. Lean your weight into the lime and roll it back and forth on the countertop until it softens. Cut lime in half and squeeze into cup for the juice. Save additional juice beyond required amount and refrigerate for use in fajitas.

Using a cheese or peel grater, grate the rind of the lime.

Combine all ingredients  and season with salt to taste. Add as garnish to grilled turkey, chicken or fish (goes great with salmon!)

And there you have it, folks. Just one in what I hope to be many food suggestions to spice up your tiki torch party for that authentic tropical feel. Just don't forget to light those outdoor torches too. Enjoy!

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I guess it's that time of year, folks. Time for new inventory to roll in and push out the hot items of spring and summer in gradual preparation for Fall's goodies. I suppose that's not all bad. Tiki torches will be supplanted by cozy outdoor firepits, leaf blowers and other items. But where does that leave those of us who still have another 3 months of outdoor entertaining to do before it really gets too cold? Well, the internet, of course.

Don't let the commercial nature of rotating inventory drive your purchases. If you still have dreams of backyard barbeques lit by the playful light of tiki torch fire, I think you'll find your dollar much better served by shopping online. Not only will you still be able to find tiki torches online, you will find them in much greater abundance and much greater variety than you ever dreamed of as you strolled down the aisles of your local hardware store in the spring.

From tabletop tiki torches, an incredible variety of patio torches, difficult to find propane tiki torches and styles including metal tiki torches, glass tiki torches, rustic, primitive, island-chic and contemporary tiki torches, there are so many styles to choose from, your greatest challenge may be narrowing your search down to the perfect outdoor garden torches for your needs.

So keep at it, gang. Tonight, my neighbors (on vacation next week just like me) will be coming over for a fantastic cookout lit by festive tiki torches. The theme - island paradise, as always. Go shopping online for tiki torches, gang, and stretch summer out as long as you possibly can!

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In the brief time I sampled city living (it wasn't for me) I often visited a neighbor (it wasn't for her either) who did everything possible to fool her senses into believing her 8^th floor apartment was actually a generous room in a tropical resort hotel. She accomplished this largely through the inclusion of an obscene number of plants throughout her one-bedroom dwelling. There wasn't a room in the house that wasn't stuffed to overflowing with greenery.

Her green thumb extended to her balcony where leaves in every shade of green almost completely obstructed the view of the concrete jungle beyond. There was little she could do to overcome the sounds of the city, but a couple water features dampened the din a little. Between the plants and colorful décor, it was easy to forget the metropolitan madness beyond her little sanctuary.

My friend also enjoyed having guests over for some of the most amazing meals I've ever enjoyed. She was as talented in the kitchen as she was with keeping tropical plants thriving in a mid-Atlantic climate. Exotic spices and Caribbean flare were common themes.  Of all her gatherings, my favorites were those in the summer where we dined on her heavily planted balcony. Lighting the scene, of course, were patio torches.

If you're like my friend, a Tarzan or Tarzana plucked from the jungle and forced to live in an urban setting, you can follow her lead by cultivating an obsessively green thumb. You can also light your setting using patio torches which are ideally suited for environments where there isn't much (or any) ground in which to stick a tiki torch pole.

Your obvious first choices are table-top patio torches. Though they sport a comparatively smaller flame, table-top patio and deck torches do a fine job of illuminating smaller settings. These are ideal choices for balconies or other severely limited spaces. Rail and deck mounted models may also be an option if you have a balcony railing to which they can attach.

If you have a bit more space (but still no dirt) and no overhead fire hazards to worry about, you have a little more flexibility. Again, consider patio torches that offer mounting brackets for use on fence or deck posts. Another option may be a propane tiki torch with a built-in base. These can be rolled around and staged on just about any flat surface. My friend employed another creative solution for her balcony. With plenty container plants all over, she had imported all the soil she needed for actually planting a real tiki torch. Simply fill your planter with soil, insert your torch in the middle and then plant around it. She did, however, cut the pole down a bit so as not to have a flame licking the bottom of the balcony overhead.

The point of this post is to help you see that limited space or limited land doesn't necessarily mean limited fun or options. Creative solutions and available patio torches can help create a lush and tropical setting out of even the most urban of jungles. Do give some extra thought to safety, though. My friend learned that lesson the hard way after leaving her torches out (but extinguished) after one of her gatherings. A strong wind toppled one of her table-top torches which then rolled off the balcony. She found the shattered remnants in the parking lot the next day. Fortunately, nobody was hurt and nothing was damaged.

Happy torching!

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I thought I'd covered this topic fairly well in my post explaining some reasons why a tiki torch won't light in response to a comment I'd received. But then I had one of those wonderful 'learn from experience' moments that I'll share with you today. Because it isn't just the wick and fuel type matters I covered in that earlier post that might be preventing your garden torches from lighting. Instead, it could be the spoil of your oil!

After 12 days of near constant rain, I finally woke up to a brilliant orb glowing in the sky today. If I remember correctly, we used to call it the Sun. Thrilled at the prospect of an evening grilling and dining outside, I topped off my garden torches (they've been dormant all through the winter and early spring), let them soak a bit and then test lit them.

I should say I tried to test light the tiki torches because they simply wouldn't light.

I am using the same oil they burned before the winter so my problem certainly wasn't the result of using a different fuel with the same wick. Frankly, the uncooperative torches were a mystery. And then I had an idea. I poured a small amount of oil in a cap (don't try this at home, folks) and tried to light it. Nothing.

I then tried pouring a few drops on a metal surface (sometimes a liquid won't light but the evaporating gas will) and tried lighting it again. As before, nothing happened. Folks, I think I could bathe in this stuff and run through a fire without doing more than singeing my hair.

The jug of oil I'm working with was an inexpensive brand that spent the winter in a shed and it was carefully capped. The bottle has no discernible leaks but the problem is obvious. The oil has lost its volatility.

So add this to your list of reasons why your outdoor torches might not light. If you are using an old bottle of tiki torch fuel, it simply may have spoiled and it's time to buy a fresh supply. It's my recommendation you also pick up some spare wicks while you're at it.

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If you'd rather read about particular outdoor garden torch styles, click the preceding link. Likewise, we have a comprehensive post on tiki torch safety. Otherwise, read on to learn about an eye-popping garden design idea using water and tiki torches.

For today's post we'll be talking a bit about a particular lighting technique using outdoor garden tiki torches known as mirroring. I've always believed a garden should be more than just a place with flowers or vegetables. It should be an extension of your home you actually want to occupy, like another room. So my wife and I invest a fair amount of time every spring clearing out debris but we also spend a good deal of our time "rearranging the furniture." In other words, we redecorate our yard by moving container plantings, and planning what we want to accomplish to really make the space inviting.

As I've mentioned in previous posts, our yard is modest in size so we're limited in what we can accomplish. But if you have sufficient space you can really go for some dramatic results. Even in my small garden, I've managed the installation of a little pool and water fall. What my limited space prevents, much to my consternation, is the installation of a reflecting pool.

Reflecting pools use a trick of light playing on water to mirror objects (depending on viewing angles) on the surface of the water. To pull this off it helps to understand the way things reflect. First, allowing that both the pond and the object you want to reflect are equally lit by ambient light, you need to overcome that by either adding more light to the object or by dimming the light reaching the surface of the water. Obviously, lighting can help here but there are additional tricks. If you envision the reflecting pool in Washington, DC, you can see how both are equally lit by the sun during the day. Yet wonderful reflections of the Washington Monument or the Lincoln Memorial (depending on which side of the pool you view from) are still managed even during bright daylight hours. How do they do it?

The three elements that help achieve daylight reflection in Washington are 1) the light colored material of both the monument and memorial relative to 2) the dark lining of the reflecting pool and its 3) shallowness. All these elements combine to create a wonderful mirror. At night, the reflection is even more dramatic as both the memorial and monument are well illuminated but the surface of the reflecting pool is not. Hence, light from two structures bounces from the objects to the water and reflects.

In your own garden, a reflecting pool should attempt to emulate those features. Remember that there isn't much point having a mirror pond if you aren't reflecting something worth reflecting. A set-apart structure such as a gazebo does well. Likewise, a dramatic architectural feature, statue or ornamental tree. Just remember that if you want to see the reflection at night you need the object to be well lit. if you are relying on a tiki torch to illuminate the object, ensure the object is either small enough or that you have enough torches to illuminate it well.

Also consider your viewing angles. Long sweeping views down a long reflecting pool are certainly impressive, but dramatic results can be accomplished with more modest designs. Imagine yourself walking through a meandering garden path. You turn a corner and find yourself in a secluded outdoor nook with a little pond and a small Buddhist shrine illuminated by tiki torches. The play of light creates a perfect reflection in the water. It's all about surprising and inspiring the senses, not breaking the bank to build the biggest pond you can.

Also remember that a reflecting pool should have still water for good results. While moving water is often all you need to prevent mosquitoes from taking up residence in a pond, still water is a breeding paradise for these pests. That means accounting for them and taking steps to prevent them. You'll either want to consider mosquito eating fish or mosquito pellets.

I won't go into details on how to design a reflecting pool right now. We'll save that for a later post or I'll find a good site that walks you through it and link to that. But I want you to visualize your objectives in this post. Design your reflecting pool with the following in mind.

• A dark lining
• An object worth reflecting
• Sufficient illumination of the object at night
• Limited light reaching the surface of the pond at night
• A dramatic or surprising viewing angle
• Still water

Reflecting pools, large or small, are a wonderful garden feature. The use of tiki torches in your design will allow you to continue the magic into the post-daylight hours. Though you should allow sufficient time for planning your installation and building the pond, maintenance is relatively simple. My small pond in my garden occupies maybe 1-2 hours of my time every year. It's time well spent given the return on investment.

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I've already addressed some smart safety considerations in a couple posts including a seasonal post on Fall Safety Concerns with Tiki Torches and a more general post on Tiki Torches and Safety. While both posts introduce some fundamental and common sense considerations, I thought it would be in everybody's best interests to write a comprehensive guide to using tiki torches safely. So, with that in mind, let's get started.

Before doing ANYTHING with tiki torches, it would be wise to know how a tiki torch works. Your average tiki torch starts with a post, stand or mount. Post mounted tiki torches are meant to be stuck in the ground and are the kinds most people are familiar with. However, table-top tiki torches are also quite common. The third option (mounted) is meant to be attached to something such as a fence post.

The next element of a tiki torch is its fuel source. Again, the type we're most familiar with contains a fuel reservoir at the top to hold the tiki torch oil and a cover with a wick. Less familiar are propane fueled tiki torches which, like a propane grill, depend on a propane tank to fuel the flame at the top.

Finally, understand how your garden torches produce flame. Regular oil or fuel tiki torches rely on a wick submerged in the fuel reservoir. As the name implies, the wick "wicks" fuel from the reservoir. When you light such torches, it is actually the vapors from the fuel that are burning rather than the wick (though the wick will singe and be used up over time). Think of a candle for a good example of this process. Propane model tiki torches differ from the regular models in that they don't require a wick. Liquid propane, under pressure in the propane tank, is fed up the stem or post to the ignition point where it expands as a gas. If you've ever seen a flame at the top of a tower in some industrial area, it's a bit like that.

With all of the above in mind, it doesn't take much thinking to realize that, which ever model torch you're using, there's a highly flammable fuel source involved and that's what all the following tips will build around; keeping the flame where it belongs and off everything else.

Tiki Torch Safety Tips:

Keep your fuel supply safely stored. When you're actively using your tiki torches, fuel and flame will naturally be in close proximity. Absent that, keep flame safely away. Your jug of tiki torch oil should be stored in a cool, dry, well ventilated location. Don't keep it in your house. Likewise, if you own propane tiki torches, keep your spare propane tanks outside, well away from your home and in a cool or shaded location.

Always extinguish your tiki torches when you expect them to be unattended for extended periods. Running inside to grab another 6 pack for the cooler is fine. But if you've said your farewells to your last guests and are planning to turn in, don't just leave your torches unattended to burn out. Not only is it a waste of tiki torch oil or propane, but an open and unattended flame is just an open and unattended invitation for disaster.

Keep a chemical fire extinguisher handy. I consider a fire extinguisher a home safety essential but it is an absolutely critical item to have on hand if you entertain with tiki torches. Don't rely on your trusty hose. Water will only spread tiki torch oil without extinguishing the flame and compound an already bad situation. A chemical fire extinguisher is the only sensible option.

In the event of a fire caused by a spilled tiki torch, divide and conquer. One person can fight the fire with the above mentioned extinguisher while another calls the fire department. Standing around waiting to see if the fire can be successfully fought yourselves is wasted time. You don't need cheerleaders. Get the professionals on their way immediately.

Never move a lit tiki torches. Always extinguish your tiki torch and give it time to cool before moving it. The risk you're trying to avoid here is a spill from the fuel reservoir with a flame source in close proximity. Spilling fuel from a cooled torch might leave you with some clean up, but at least you won't have a sudden flare up of ignited fuel spilling all over you and the ground. Should that happen, you can guess what happens next. You drop the lit torch in a panic leading to even more spillage and an even bigger catastrophe. But this tip applies to propane models as well even though fuel spills aren't as likely a concern simply because of design. I've witnessed an event first hand where a lit propane torch was moved and the owner, unaware of its proximity, ignited the state flag he had hanging over his patio door. Fortunately nobody was hurt and the fire ended with the flag, but you can imagine how much worse things could have been. Play it safe and always extinguish your torch before you move it.

Ensure your tiki torch is securely placed. If your torch is a post-mounted model, be sure to insert it firmly in the ground and tamp the ground around it with the heel of your shoe. You want to be certain a casual bump won't topple over your torch. Propane models are generally mounted to a heavy and solid base but use caution here as well. Make sure your torch isn't sitting on wobbly deck boards or uneven ground. Table top models should be set in the center of the table where bumps or jostling will have the least effect. Fence mounted tiki torches should be routinely checked to ensure the post isn't deteriorating and that the mounting brackets are secure. Low profile tiki torches used for path lighting or decorative lighting on rock features or the like should be checked to ensure they are level and unlikely to fall over due to wind or gravity.

Look out below! Take the time to clear ground clutter from torches. Should there be a spill, you want to minimize the amount of combustible material under the likely area fuel may fall. What complicates this is that post mounted tiki torches are often placed in garden areas where decorative ground cover such as mulch is abundant. If possible, clear an area in an 8 to 10 inch radius from the tiki torch post. You can fill in this bare spot with decorative stone for a clean and attractive look.

Look out above! To the best of your ability, eliminate overhead fire risks. Generally, this means tree branches. In my modest garden, that's hardly an option as a shade tree dominates my yard. If you have the same problem, trim away low branches and ensure there is adequate distance between your tiki torch flame and the lowest branches. If you aren't sure the distance is sufficient, better to be safe and increase it. A good test, though, is to hold your hand above the flame at the same height as the lowest branches. If you can't hold your hand there indefinitely, assume your tree branch will fare no better. Having said that, don't just worry about branches. Keep an eye out for anything that might drift over your torch flame such as streamers (at a party) or flags (as one of my previous tips illustrated).

Look out all around! Flames are fickle critters. They're a lot like teenagers; willful, independent, unpredictable and they love to dance. Never place your torch adjacent to flammables. Just a small breeze can bend the flame in an unpredictable direction and ignite whatever they are near.

Do not overfill your tiki torch reservoir. There's no need to top it off to the brim. Once the submerged end of your wick is in the oil, it will wick what's needed to the external end. While a completely full reservoir won't lead to a greater or riskier flame, it does increase the likelihood of spills and sloshing should your torch get bumped.

Be attentive during filling and allow sloshed or spilled fuel to evaporate completely before lighting your torch. I learned this lesson first hand the hard way with my first tiki torches. The jug "glugged" as I was filling the reservoir on one of my torches, leading to a generous amount of fuel missing the reservoir and soaking the natural wood torch. As I wasn't paying attention, I lit the torch shortly after filling with, um, dramatic results. Hint: the wooden torch isn't intended to burn. Fortunately, I had my fire extinguisher nearby. Better yet...

Remove the reservoir and fill it separately from the torch. The reservoir in most traditional torches is a removable can. You can minimize the risk of the accident I explained above by pulling out the can and filling it on a stable surface, away from the tiki torch, capping it, then reinserting it into the torch (though I still recommend allowing ample time to allow for evaporation in case some fuel spilled on the rim of the can). The only downside to this method is spills and stains. I've left a stain or two on my brick patio filling my torch this way but the good news is these stains can be removed - see my post on Cleaning Up Tiki Torch Oil Spills. And while you're at it...

Inspect your reservoir. As stated, reservoirs are usually metal cans. If, like me, your torches remain out and up through most of the year, they will be exposed to rain and will eventually deteriorate. It's a good idea to inspect them to ensure they haven't rusted through. A punctured tiki torch oil reservoir will leak constantly which increase the risk of the flame expanding beyond the wick and into areas it isn't welcome. Replace deteriorating reservoirs as needed.

Keep a responsible distance. When entertaining, tiki torches add wonderful ambiance, but they also add risk. Keep your torches a safe distance from the areas your guests will occupy. Close enough for mood lighting, but not so close that a casual guest might unwittingly back into one and set their hair on fire. How distant will be determined by striking a balance between effective lighting and safety (with a heavy lean in favor of safety). If keeping your torches distant enough to be safe means reducing the available lighting to pointless levels, supplement light sources with battery or low voltage options.

Educate your guests, particularly those with children. If your guests include children, make certain their parents are aware that there are lit tiki torches in the garden and ask them to keep a very close eye on their kids. That means more than just keeping them away from the fire, it means reining in any games of tag they might engage in in your garden. One child desperately avoiding becoming "it" and stumbling into a lit tiki torch will very quickly take the fun out of things for everybody. It's no laughing matter.

Leash that hound! Pets are another area of concern with tiki torches. I own (am owned by?) several active dogs. It isn't at all uncommon for my guests to bring their pets to my parties, too. And while my wife and I relish the opportunity to meet all these furry friends, the rules about rambunctious activity in the garden when the torches are lit are very simply summed up as - it isn't allowed.  Draconian, I know, but I'd rather have the mutts charging around the interior of the house and risk my carpet or valuables than have them running insanely in a garden full of lit tiki torches and highly combustible fuel. Outdoors, only the most tame and low key dogs are permitted off leash when the torches are lit and guests know to immediately put a stop to any playing near torches.

When it's windy out, go without. As stated, fire has a mind of its own. Fire on a windy day is like Brittney Spears on uppers. Nice to look at and one hell of a dancer. Of course, with Brittney, the worst that might happen is an unintended (and some would say, unwanted) upskirt shot of her naughty parts. With a tiki torch, the unintended result could be your home going up in flames. Given the choice, I'd go for the former. But back to the matter at hand, your safest bet is to simply skip the tiki torches entirely on windy days and take the party indoors.

Having just written a 4 page novel on all the risks and decisions that go into safely using tiki torches, you'd think these things were as dangerous as a leaky nuclear reactor managed by half-drunk chinchillas (so cute!) While, yes, any open flame can be dangerous, the same can be said of cars and we get in them and drive them to work every day. When you drive to work, you take precautions. To start with, you had to study for and pass a test to get your license. You drive at, or near, the speed limit. You wear your safety belt. You stop at red lights and stop signs. You wait for green lights before you go. You don't drive on the sidewalk. In other words, you use common sense approaches and were educated. The same rules apply to tiki torches. Knowing the risks and how to prevent them greatly reduces your chances of having an accident. Though one can never completely eliminate risk, by following the advice on tiki torch safety above you can be assured of at least greatly improved odds.

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My friend held to his conviction that tiki torches couldn't be made of anything other than bamboo or natural substances until I showed him the astounding variety available in catalogs. And, yes, even the ones made of steel were labeled as tiki torches. But the discussion didn't stop there because he continued to insist that was an inaccurate moniker as the torches at the party used propane. I corrected him there and showed him propane models as well.

Now the point here isn't that my friend doesn't know his tiki torches. What this exchange convinced me of is that there are probably a lot of people out there with garden lighting in mind who don't give much thought to the idea of a tiki torch for landscape lighting because bamboo, wood or wicker simply doesn't match with the setting they are going for. They feel such a rustic accessory would detract from the contemporary look they want to achieve and, truth told, they're probably right. But there are so many contemporary tiki torch styles available that there's an appropriate style for every landscape imaginable.

For contemporary garden designs, stick with metallic or metal/glass combinations. Steel and aluminum tiki torch models and, to a slightly lesser degree, copper and brass models do a wonderful job of accenting a modern garden design while still allowing you to paint with the magic of firelight. Your real benefit here isn't just the material, which just goes better in a modern setting, but the amazing variety of styles coming out every year. From elegant flutes to pans and squat bulbous shapes, metal tiki torches really just steal the show in their elegance and creativity.

One model tiki torch I'm particularly fond of incorporates both contemporary metals and rustic woods and is accented with a satinized glass top. The pole is a rich, dark mahogany and the fluted top is stainless steel. The amazing combination results in a tiki torch that is both functional and artistic enough to merit being its own conversation piece.

So regardless your garden design, don't discount outdoor torches as a stylish, modern looking means of adding a bit of night time magic to your setting. Their ease of installation will do a great deal to offset the expense you'd face with installed landscape lighting and you're sure to be pleased with the results.

For more on tiki torch styles, visit our post on Tiki Torch Selections!

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I am arranging a Latin/American christmas party for the Galston Chamber of Commerce this coming November.  We require some flattering lighting for indoors as our venue is the Galston Club. Could you recommend an application for flattering lighting?

Hope to hear from you.  Goodbye for now.

Thanks for stopping by, Lynne, and thanks for the challenge! I hope you don't mind my answering in a post rather than responding by email.

Your question is far more difficult to answer than you might guess. Any indoor venue will automatically preclude my obvious first choice of party lighting which is, of course, an authentic tiki torch. That doesn't mean you can't place a few outside if the Galston Club will permit it. Tiki torches lining the path to the club house will help set a spicy Latin mood right off and that's a good thing.

But getting back to the complications of having this event indoors, you're likely limited in what you can get away with and what you must work against. By get away with, I mean you can't just string a bunch of mood inspiring candle lanterns around the room as they'd represent a substantial fire hazard. By work against, I mean that whatever interior lighting is already in place is likely going to counteract or, at the very least, challenge whatever flattering lighting effects you go for.

To further stir the pot, you've mentioned festive in your email subject but flattering in the body. I'm afraid the two rarely go hand-in-hand so some compromises will have to be made depending on which is more important to you. A higher-end clientele might be perfectly content with a more muted atmosphere which (pardon the pun) paints them in a more flattering light. A laid back crowd may forgive the deeper shadows and less forgiving lighting of a bawdy and festively lit party. You'll have to decide which you'd like to go for and then use the following tips to customize your party to meet your needs.

Now, while this blog focuses on outdoor lighting and tiki torches specifically, I am a photographer so I know a thing or two about lighting. I'm not, however, an indoor party planner. The best I can do for you is to draw on my experience as a photographer in hopes of helping you make some smart decisions.

Lesson #1 - Directional light makes for sinister faces. In the picture to the left you can see how light from one direction creates shadows on the opposite side of the face. Depending on the mood of the observer or the setting in which such a lit face is witnessed, that can mean a sinister look or a romantic look of mystery (mildly sinister in this case, I think). You need to consider light sources from all angles and ensure that your subjects aren't being harshly lit exclusively from direct overhead lighting (emphasizes bags under the eyes and crow's feet), from table top lighting (think horror movies) or from exclusively one side which will cast dark shadows and can emphasize smile lines and wrinkles around the mouth. Your best bet to avoid the unflattering effects of directional light is to ensure multiple sources of light. A combination of table-top lighting, wall sconces and overhead lighting (with dimming controls preferably) should help offset any one source creating strong, unflattering shadows.

Lesson #2 - Ambience (not ambiance) is your friend. By that, I mean ambient light rather than direct light. Wherever possible, light should bounce and spread across your subjects rather than plow into them like a raging bull. Again, sconce lighting is nice for this as it generally illuminates a wall rather than people and the light is reflected (and spread) from that wall across your subjects. The drawback to light reflecting from walls is that it can "color" your guests with the same color as the wall. It's a subtle but subconsciously noticeable effect that can alter skin tones (for better or worse depending on the color of the wall).

Lesson #3 - Diffuse the situation. Yes, that was intentional. I did not mean defuse. Diffuse lighting such as that passing through clouds on an overcast day offers the best spread and shadow-softening features. Photographers use several tricks to mimic this including diffusers on their lights. You can accomplish the same thing by shading your light sources with opaque coverings. Overhead lighting should be shaded, passing through opaque materials such as frosted glass. Likewise, table lamps should have diffusing lampshades to avoid that Doctor-Frankenstein-in-the-lab lighting that never looks good on anybody. If you opt for candles in your tabletop center pieces, consider frosted glass candle holders. The light from a naked flame such as a tiki torch is, in my opinion, highly mysterious and romantic during the night outdoors but you run the risk of it resulting in a sinister-looking face when used indoors or without sufficient light from other sources to offset the effect.

Decorative lighting can be softened in the same way. You can modify decorative paper candle lanterns with LED lighting (string or individual batter lights) rather than candles. While LED lights are hardly flattering, the festive paper coverings you can creatively employ will help soften them and diffuse their light to something more flattering (while also eliminating the risk of fire you'd have with a normal candle lantern). I'm including a link to the Paper Lantern Store to help you with some ideas. Avoid the blatantly Asian-themed models for your Latin party, obviously, but there are plenty options that will work well for you there.

Lesson #4 - Bounce, baby, bounce! Consider lighting objects rather than people. You can accomplish great indirect lighting effects by illuminating Latin-themed objects or art and letting the reflected light contribute to the illumination of the room. I'm envisioning a larger than life Ernesto "Che" Guevara poster done in stylistic reds and illuminated by floor lighting. Or a red Cuban flag similarly lit. No, I'm not a budding communist but the color red definitely meshes well with the hot and spicy flare one associates with Latin themes. Also consider the inclusion of plenty spot and floor-lit broad-leaf and palm plants which will lend to that Latin resort/island feel. In any event, lighting objects in the room rather than the people tends to provide a more flattering overall light. It's a bit like swimming through pools of light rather than being pummeled by a waterfall of light.

Finally (and this has nothing to do with what I've learned as a photographer) my Puerto Rican friends will tell you that there's no such thing as garish when it comes to colorful lighting at a Latin party. This has nothing to do with illuminating people. It's just about setting a mood. Go crazy here unless you think it wouldn't be well received by your guests. If it seems over the top, consider limiting it to certain areas of the Club such as, perhaps, the dance floor or bar.

Again, you are very much limited in how you can create flattering lighting in an indoor setting over which you have limited control. Unless the Club is willing to let you rewire the place, you'll need to find compromises to offset or improve on what is already in place. If they give you fairly free license over what kind of decorations you can employ, may I recommend you invest only minimal time on lighting the people and focus, instead on lighting objects and decorations? Get done what you can using my advice above and then invest the lion's share of your time on other elements that will really set the mood. When I think Latin, I think spice, hot, fire! A liberal dose of lusty-reds and fiery yellows in the form of streamers, lantern covers, plates, posters and dishes.

At the end of the day, your choice of decorations, music, food and drink will do far more to fire up that Latin flare than the lighting (which will simply lend to the mood). Get those tiki torches set up on the walkway in, make sure folks can hear the lusty beat of Salsa music as they approach the front door, give your guests plenty of spicy food to eat and keep the margaritas flowing to cool them down after their meal. One last thing...let the ladies know that now is the time to get that naughty little black dress out of the closet, those wicked high heels out of the shoe box and break some hearts despite the event being planned for November.

Have fun! I'll keep an eye out for my invitation.

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