I'm a bit sad that barbecue season is coming to an end, but I also love outdoor parties in the fall. The smell of leaves in the air, apple-filled desserts, and a cozy fire pit always make for a memorable night. I may also try to incorporate these ingenious spiked votives into my fall gatherings.

They're so pretty - sort of a clever alternative to hanging jar votives. Terrain's votives are a remake of a 1000-year-old Viking tradition. While I'd use them outdoors, they can also be hammered into any wood surface, from a farm table to thick ledge.

Scandinavian Spiked Votives (available in either vertical or horizontal orientation), $38 a piece at Terrain.

(Images: href="http://www.shopterrain.com/new%2Darrivals%2Dhouse%2Dhome/pipe%2Dhurricane%2Dhorizontal/searchString/spiked">Terrain)