While living in Germany years ago we always enjoyed burning real candles on our Christmas Tree. No one left the room and the candles were lighted only during special family times.
Today we still add the candles in the wooden red candle holders, but we do not burn them. Our central heat would create a real problem so we just enjoy having them on the tree as decoration.
"A Danish Christmas tree illuminated with burning candles, adorned with homemade Christmas decorations such as red hearts, white paper snowflakes, a golden star at the top, and gifts stacked underneath." The photo (tree) on the right was taken from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Juletr%C3%A6et.jpg
The hand blown red glass apple was created by Bandhu Scott Dunham, (Salusaglassworks) a glass artist who is internationally know and lives here in Prescott. His tree ornaments are part of my collection. http://www.salusaglassworks.com/