These Are The 3 Reasons An Iowa Home Has Christmas Candles In The Window

You may notice a certain Christmas decoration in Iowa windows and there are unique meanings behind it.

We're all decking the halls now that Thanksgiving is behind us, if you haven't finished that project already. It's fun to drive around this time of the year and look at Christmas lights just to see how other folks decorate their houses. One thing a lot of us have definitely seen are houses with candles in the windows, like this:

They certainly look elegant at Christmas and they actually have a very unique history to them that could lend itself to the reason you see them in certain houses. Here are 3 of the many reasons that you could see candles in windows in someone's home this holiday season.

1. They're Meant To Be A Beacon Home For Someone

This doesn't necessarily mean someone who is deceased, just someone who is absent from the holiday. Love To Know says this could be true for soldiers or family members who were traveling, especially during inclement weather.

2. The Candles Signify A Safe, Welcome Place

So many traditions hold the story of candles in the window signifying a safe space for travelers, worshippers, or a select group of people who were not welcome elsewhere. That traces back to Irish Catholics and later into Colonial Williamsburg.

3. They're Pretty During Christmas And Nostalgic

Whether or not they hold a deeper meaning to the residents, the candles are an elegant accent on Christmas displays. Many houses have switched to electric LED candles to put in their windows just because they look classy and festive.

Many Christmas decorations have special meaning to folks and the candles are one way to convey that, whatever the reason may be.