Every-so-often, one happens upon a taper candle that simply won't fit in your daintiest candlestick... enter the taper sharpener, an unassuming little tool that'll save the tablescaping day. This works best when your candle is a little warmer than room temperature (I like to pour boiling water on a cloth and then, with a rubber glove on my hand, hold the cloth tightly around the base of the candle for a minute or so); then slowly pare the base of the candle, like it's a pencil, until it wedges nicely into the candlestick.