You could do evil things with them, as you could with your fingernail clippers, but the intent is to start small comfort fires when things are cold and wet. And, importantly, to do it for free.
These things always work and give you a fighting chance to ignite even damp wood. The paper serves as a sort of fuse, giving you time to get your hands out of the way before the match heads blow.
The raw materials:
Melt the old candles. Low heat is safer. Dump in your freebie matchbooks. Let them soak a while. Fish them out and lay them on paper.
Like this, only sloppier. You want the paper wax-infused. I sloshed these through warm wax again after I tore them apart.
Store a few of them in old zip-locks too grimy for food. Include a couple of untreated matchbooks wrapped in plastic film. A bag in every vehicle, your bugout bag, and whatever back packs, range bags, etc. you ordinarily use.
You are welcome.