My wife and I performed an impromptu firemaking experiment yesterday utilizing the items in her Altoids kit. Specifically with the waterproof matches and tea light. Despite there being snow on the ground we were able to locate the needed dry twigs, bark, and even a bird nest. After much effort we determined that the tea light was of little use. The flame was not very big and it was hard to utilize the melted wax. We finally managed to keep a sustained fire after adding slightly damp punk wood from a dead tree and using my butane lighter to get it burning.
The results may have been different in the dry summer months but it got me to thinking that there must be better material to carry. After getting home I decided that I could replace the tea lights in our kits with a Wet Fire cube and three trick birthday candles. We'll have to try these next weekend. I'll post the results!

Chris