Imagine a warm summer evening, a glass of wine, a meal on the way, even maybe a barbeque. Now comes the decision, eat indoors or if you are lucky enough to have a patio, outside on the patio table. The trouble is the light is fading, what you need is outdoor lighting. There are many alternatives these days. Electric lighting or solar powered lighting, coloured lights, spotlights to accentuate features or plants, floodlights, we are spoiled for choice. But there is another way, garden candles. Have a garden candle on your patio table or use outdoor candle lanterns. Used outside candle lanterns can look very effective providing a soft flickering light that is very calming. One downside of eating in the open air on a summer evening can be insects. We are a tasty meal for those little pests and they are not slow to take advantage as we sit eating and enjoying ourselves. Insect repellent candles can be a great help. Provence insect repellent scented candles contain an aromatic blend of fresh Provencal herbs with extracts of lavender to naturally repel insects. They are to be had as torches, long burning pillar candles, tealights for standalone or use in outdoor candle lanterns, in a candle tin and even as a floating candle. In fact you can probably find a Provence candle to suit most outdoor situations. Another trendy option is to use a citronella candle and these are for outdoor use only where a Provence candle can also be used indoors. Citronella candles are available as long burning pillar candles or alternatively try the citronella tea light candles. With their rich yellow colour they look good enough to eat as well as being a great addition to your outdoor décor. Be imaginative, put a candle on your patio table, use outdoor candle lanterns, firm a torch into the ground or into a patio pot of sand or just place tea lights on saucers. Think about your garden as an extension of your indoor living space, a place to relax, have barbeques and sit at our patio tables to have a formal meal or sip a wine or whatever preferred tipple. Given reasonable weather make the most of that precious outdoor space. When you have done the daily commute, prepared the evening meal and the sun has gone down but the evening is still young and warm, eat outside enjoying both the good food, fresh air and the garden. All we need is something to light that patio and garden so why not opt for the little luxury of outdoor candles and enjoy those all too short summer months.