if you've ever made or purchased a photo luminary for a party centerpiece, what kind of light did you use... besides candles/fake candles?

every picture i see of a candle or a battery operated fake candle, i see the light centered in one spot and i feel that it creates a little "blind spot" in the picture.

i'm hoping to find a light source that is softer and more "encompassing" of the area to be lit.

is this wishful thinking or is there a light source that can do that?

thanks.