I usually keep four candles on/near my desk at home. Two are large, pillar candles, and two are votives.
A couple of years ago, family gave me a 4' candle stand for my study, which is where one of the pillar candles lives. I bought two new ones last week, since the others had totally burned through their wicks. I prefer plan, unscented beeswax candles for the big ones, since they stick around for longer than the votives. I rely on incense or changing around the votives for scents at my desk.
Since the pillar candles do have a longer lifetime, I don't put a specific charge or spell on them. On this candle, I merely inscribed two pentacles and two solar crosses. To give it a bit of elemental balance, I sprinkled some water from my desktop fountain, rolled it in the smoke from some incense, and rubbed a bit of ash on it.
For candle-working/ritual, I prefer small tapers, but I love working by candlelight, hence these big ones.
Would like to hear your thoughts on candles as well!