How to Deal with Pillar Holders with Spikes

Some pillar holders have spikes to keep the pillar stable. With PartyLite pillars, this can cause trouble because our pillars have metal wick retainers (holding the wick in place).  There are ways to combat this!

• Alternative 1... When the candle is brand new, pull back the paper, carefully pull out the wick, trim off the spike, push the wick back in, fold the paper back and then light. Our wicks are drilled into the pillar candle (the wax is not poured over the wick). This should not cause a problem. However it cannot be done once the candle has been lit (the wick at the top will break – if you can even move it).
• Alternative 2... use votives on the candelabra and put them in the Essentials votive/taper holders (see Everyday 2010, Volume 1, page 44). When used as votive holders, these have space at the bottom (used when inverted for the taper candles/candlesticks). The spike (usually) fits in there so that the votive cup sits flat. Great solution!
• Alternative 3... remove the spikes.

Do you have other ideas?